Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
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Ten people have been found guilty of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, by a Paris court, but that is not the end of the lawsuits. Next up, it's the Macrons against the controversial right-wing podcaster Candace Owens in a US civil court. They've accused her of mounting “a campaign of global humiliation”. Nuala McGovern speaks to Sophie Pedder from The Economist, in Paris, and BBC journalist Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty. Dr Miriam Stoppard has been writin...
Woman's Hour covers three diverse topics: the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the subsequent rise of powerful women like Delcy Rodriguez and Maria Corina Machado in the country's politics. It also delves into the increasing number of women in the UK opting for solo motherhood through donor conception, sharing a personal story and discussing legal and practical implications. Finally, the episode highlights the vital support provided to children of British military families by the charity Little Troopers.
Kylie Pentelow hosts Toni Collette, who shares insights on her new emotional film "Goodbye June," tackling themes of love, loss, and family reconciliation. The episode also highlights the untold stories of Irish nurses in the NHS, their recruitment, and their significant impact. Experts discuss Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), its prevalence beyond elite athletes, and the challenges of diagnosis. Psychotherapists and columnists explore why adults regress to childhood behaviors during family holidays, offering advice for managing complex family dynamics. Finally, Woman's Hour celebrates 75 years of The Archers, taking listeners behind the scenes to explore the iconic female characters and their influential storylines.
Woman's Hour investigates the alarming surge in child sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting causes, consequences, and urgent interventions. The episode also delves into the growing trend of university students choosing to live at home, examining its impact on traditional student life. Additionally, it uncovers the widespread issue of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), offering expert insights and personal stories, alongside advice for nurturing adult friendships amidst busy lives.
This special Woman's Hour episode commemorates 75 years of The Archers, delving into the lives of its iconic female characters. Guests discuss how women in Ambridge navigate patriarchy, class struggles, and evolving professional roles, highlighting the show's commitment to portraying challenging social issues like coercive control and alcoholism. The episode also features a condensed history of Ambridge women, a behind-the-scenes studio tour, and reflections on the show's profound real-world impact and its continuous striving for diversity and representation.
Join Kylie Pentelow for a New Year's Eve special covering diverse topics. Actor Toni Collette shares insights into her emotional new film "Goodbye June" and reflects on her career and life lessons. A distinguished panel, including Dame Katherine Grainger, Helen Lewis, and Natalie Haynes, alongside listener contributions, celebrates "Woman of the Year" across sport, arts, and politics. The episode also revisits strategies for improving financial well-being and delves into the nuanced etiquette of disciplining children who are not your own.
Woman's Hour delves into various societal topics, starting with Beyoncé's journey to billionaire status, highlighting her business acumen and political influence in music. The discussion then shifts to the common phenomenon of adults regressing to childhood behaviors during Christmas family gatherings, offering psychological insights and coping strategies. Finally, the episode introduces ImageAngel, a tool developed by a dominatrix to combat non-consensual image sharing, and examines a university program designed to re-engage teenage girls in politics and boost their confidence.
Woman's Hour dives into the controversial Sabalenka vs. Kyrgios 'Battle of the Sexes' tennis match, examining its relevance and impact on women's sport. It also highlights the vital yet often unrecognised role of Irish nurses in the NHS since 1948, sharing their experiences and challenges. The episode further explores the increasing number of women taking up sumo wrestling in the UK, discusses strategies for combating burnout and finding work-life balance, and investigates the potential benefits and gender biases of using AI in treating age-related diseases.
Woman's Hour presents highlights on Christmas rituals, examining their psychological importance, nostalgia, and the role of women in maintaining them. The program also celebrates Jane Austen's 250th birthday, discussing her enduring global captivation and the relatability of her themes in various societies. Finally, it explores women's multifaceted experiences with darkness, featuring insights from a blind broadcaster and a theatre critic on fear, liberation, and finding tranquility.
Woman's Hour delves into how women experience and interact with darkness today and throughout history. Guests, including a blind broadcaster, a theatre critic, a space scientist, an archaeologist, and a DJ, share personal insights into working, living, and finding inspiration or fear in the dark. The discussion covers personal challenges like sleep disorders and safety concerns, as well as the unique beauty and liberation found in various nighttime experiences and communal spaces.
Nuala McGovern and Anita Rani delve into the rich tapestry of Christmas traditions, from ancient folklore origins like greenery to Victorian-era influences and modern adaptations like "Friendsmas." Experts discuss the psychological comfort rituals provide, the significant role women play in maintaining them, and how new customs emerge from social media or diverse family backgrounds. The episode also highlights unique global celebrations and concludes with a live musical performance reflecting on the holiday's emotional depth.
Woman's Hour covers the reactions to the latest Jeffrey Epstein document release, focusing on a survivor's perspective and the fight for truth amidst redactions. It also celebrates South Asian female DJs challenging a male-dominated industry and a women's plane spotting club promoting community and the "art of noticing." Additionally, the episode offers spiritual guidance for finding calm during the festive season and features actress Janie Dee discussing and performing from Noel Coward's provocative play, "Fallen Angels."
The episode features an investigation into the shocking rise of attacks on women and babies in conflict zones, highlighting reproductive violence. It also delves into Iran's Woman, Life, Freedom protests through a new book, revealing a deep history of women's activism and ongoing defiance. Additionally, the show celebrates the extraordinary role of women in jazz at London's iconic Ronnie Scott's and offers practical advice on ensuring older family members feel cherished and included during festive gatherings.
Woman's Hour delves into the multifaceted pressures women face, from the stress of Christmas hosting with tips from Philippa Perry and Matilda B, to the recent, somewhat underwhelming, release of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse documents and victims' calls for accountability. The program also highlights the critical issue of FGM, discussing the impact of government funding cuts on both UK services and international prevention efforts, alongside a segment on the escalating abuse faced by women in retail during the busy holiday period. Finally, it shines a light on historical women explorers.
Woman's Hour delves into the UK government's new strategy to combat violence against women and girls, including measures to educate boys on misogyny and reform the justice system. The episode also features an interview with actor Kate Hudson, discussing her latest film, her journey of finding confidence in singing, and the importance of support systems. Additionally, discussions cover Jane Austen's enduring legacy, the surprising trend of young women's confidence in DIY, and the exciting world of all-female tribute bands rewriting musical rules.
This episode features Hollywood actor Kate Hudson discussing her new film, "Song Sung Blue," reflecting on personal empowerment, and sharing her family's Christmas traditions. It also provides an update on the Undercover Policing Inquiry, highlighting the systematic abuses and the profound trauma inflicted on women who were deceived into relationships with undercover officers. A powerful segment introduces Sophie Blake, a single mother living with stage 4 cancer, and her teenage daughter Maya, as they candidly share their experiences of parenting through incurable illness and finding joy in shared moments. Finally, the podcast explores the political radicalization of young women towards the left, examining the underlying reasons, the role of social media, and the broader implications for the UK's political landscape.
Woman's Hour examines the UK government's strategy addressing violence against women and girls, including measures to educate boys on misogyny, tackle online harm, and reform the justice system. The episode also features an in-depth discussion on GLP-1 weight loss injections, covering their mechanisms, personal experiences, and the challenges of long-term use. Additionally, interviews with author Jenny Colgan about her latest Christmas novel and musical star Amara Okereke on her career and roles provide lighter segments.
Woman's Hour covers the recent 17-year sentence for the UK's most prolific romance fraudster, detailing manipulative tactics and evolving judicial responses. The program marks 50 years since the Sex Discrimination Act, exploring its profound impact on women's lives through historical context and personal accounts. Additionally, it highlights a new pilot scheme embedding domestic abuse specialists in police control rooms and celebrates the vibrant world of all-female tribute bands.
This episode celebrates Jane Austen's 250th birthday, exploring her enduring global relevance and why her themes of love, marriage, class, and consent still resonate with women today. Guests discuss Austen's life, family, and publishing journey, along with the social constraints faced by Regency-era women. The conversation also delves into modern adaptations and the diverse appeal of her novels across different cultures and generations, highlighting how her characters and dilemmas remain universally relatable.
The Government is set to unveil its long-awaited Violence Against Women and Girls strategy later this week. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has described violence against women and girls as a 'national emergency'. Some early releases of what will be in the strategy have been reported in the press over the weekend, including establishing specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams in every police force across England and Wales by 2029. Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against ...
Baroness Amos, who was appointed by the Health Secretary to lead an independent rapid investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care in England, has said nothing prepared her for the scale of 'unacceptable care' that women and families have received. Presenter Krupa Padhy is joined by the BBC’s Social Affairs correspondent Michael Buchanan and Theo Clarke, former Conservative MP who also chaired the UK Birth Trauma Inquiry and hosts the podcast, Breaking the Taboo, to discuss the review and ...
The Government has announced a £3 billion investment to create around 50,000 new specialised places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The aim is to speed up support for families and improve provision in both mainstream schools and bespoke facilities. To discuss what that means in practice, Anita Rani is joined by the BBC's Education Correspondent Vanessa Clarke and Sharon Smith, co-director of Special Needs Jungle, a parent-led UK website and resource hub providing ne...
Venezuelan politician and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado was met with cheers on a hotel balcony in Norway in the middle of the night this week. It was the first time that she has been seen in public since January, after being forced into hiding. She also gave an exclusive interview to BBC News and spoke about the significance of this moment. So who is Maria Corina Machado? To find out, Anita Rani was joined by Norberto Paredes who is a journalist with BBC Mundo, the BBC's news ser...
John Smyth is believed to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England. In 2024, an independent review carried out by Keith Makin found that Smyth abused 30 boys and young men in the UK, and around 85 in Zimbabwe and South Africa. A new Channel 4 documentary, See No Evil, reveals the scale of Smyth's abuse and features testimony from victims and survivors, the journalists who uncovered the story, and from Smyth's family. Fiona Rugg, John Smyth's daughter, is part of t...
Baroness Amos, who was appointed by the Health Secretary to lead an independent rapid investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care in England, has said nothing prepared her for the scale of "unacceptable care" that women and families have received. Presenter Krupa Padhy is joined by the BBC’s Social Affairs correspondent Michael Buchanan and Theo Clarke, former Conservative MP who also chaired the UK Birth Trauma Inquiry and hosts the podcast, Breaking the Taboo, to discuss those initial r...
Have you heard of Freebirthing? It’s giving birth without any medical help or intervention. A new podcast by The Guardian has investigated an American organisation – the Free Birth Society or FBS – a multimillion-dollar business which professionals claim promotes some dangerous views. Nuala McGovern is joined by Sirin Kale who undertook the investigation along with her colleague Lucy Osbourne. Dr Claire Feeley, midwife and senior lecturer at Kings College London who has done research into freebi...
When Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017 at the age of 37, she was the youngest female head of government in the world. She also made history as only the second elected leader to give birth while in office. She resigned in 2023 after more than five years in post saying she no longer had enough in the tank and, since then, has engaged in global work focused on empathy in leadership and the prevention of online extremism. As a new documentary film, Prime Minister, is out in...
The last year has seen the election of several women to positions of political leadership: Sanae Takaichi as Prime Minister of Japan, Catherine Connolly as President of Ireland, and Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as President of Suriname. But, a recent report has suggested that trust in women leaders is declining globally. The Reykjavik Index For Leadership measures how women and men are perceived in terms of their suitability for leadership, not just in politics but across many sectors of society. S...
When Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister in 2017 at the age of 37, she was the youngest female head of government in the world. She also made history as only the second elected leader to give birth while in office. She resigned in 2023 after more than five years in post saying she no longer had enough in the tank and, since then, has engaged in global work focused on empathy in leadership and the prevention of online extremism. As a new documentary film, Prime Minister, comes out out in cinemas...
Justice Secretary David Lammy has announced plans for a sweeping range of reforms to criminal courts in England and Wales. The proposals include scrapping jury trials for cases where sentences are likely to be less than three years and for trials involving ‘particularly technical and lengthy fraud and financial offences’. They will only be kept for the most serious offences, including murder, robbery and rape. However there are fears that the proposed changes will have a disproportionate impact ...
