The Conversation

What happens when women bring traditional folklore into the horror genre and subvert it? You get award-winning feature length films, Iranian vampires and Mayan werewolves to name a few examples. Ella Al-Shamahi is joined by Iranian-American filmmaker Ana Lily Amirpour and Mexican filmmaker Gigi Saul Guerrero to discuss how to create horror on screen.Ana Lily Amirpour’s award-winning debut feature film, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, is a Persian-language Western-horror. It follows a skateboarding vampire who wears a chador and haunts the fictional Iranian ghost-town of Bad City. Feminist readings have interpreted the vampire as a vigilante who preys on men that disrespect women. Ana's later films have included big stars such as Kate Hudson, Suki Waterhouse, Jason Momoa and Keanu Reeves.Gigi Saul Guerrero is known by fans as La Muñeca Del Terror, which means The Horror Babe. She gained recognition for La Quinceañera, a horror series based on the Mexican traditional celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday. Her film Culture Shock follows a Mexican woman who crosses the border into the US in hope of finding the American dream. What she finds instead is an American nightmare. Gigi's work often draws from Mesoamerican folklore and Mexican tradition. Producer: Elena Angelides(Image: Gigi Saul Guerrero. Credit: Luchagore Productions. And Ana Lily Amirpour. Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty Images)

Women make up a large proportion of the workforce in the global tea industry. But despite their crucial role, women in the tea sector often face lower wages and limited access to leadership positions. Datshiane Navanayagam speaks with two tea entrepreneurs to learn more about running tea businesses.Susie Walker-Munro from the UK runs Kinnettles Tea Garden in Angus, Scotland, where she grows cold-tolerant tea plants. She began experimenting with tea cuttings on her farm in 2007 and has since collaborated with other women to create an all-female tea garden collective.Tea has always been central to Esha Chhabra’s life, from her upbringing in India to her family’s move to the US, where the tradition of making loose leaf tea was preserved. She co-founded Alaya Tea in 2019, a brand focused on sustainable farming and ethical sourcing from small farmers. Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Susie Walker-Munro credit Ashley Coombes. (R) Esha Chhabra credit Alaya Tea.)

Despite their pivotal roles in advancing healthcare, women’s contributions to medicine have often been overshadowed or erased by male-dominated narratives. Datshiane Navanayagam speaks with two women dedicated to reclaiming this lost history and highlighting the vital work that women have done in the field of medicine.Yunxin Li is a Chinese academic who specializes in the gendered foundations of ancient Chinese medicine. Her research uncovers the often-overlooked contributions of female healers in premodern China. By focusing on the intersection of gender and healthcare in ancient Chinese history, Yunxin offers a fresh perspective on traditional medical systems and the influential roles women played within them.Kandace Chimbiri, a British author born to Barbadian parents, is committed to highlighting the overlooked contributions of Black women in medicine, particularly in the UK’s healthcare system. In her children's book The Story of Britain’s Black Nurses, she uncovers the largely untold story of Black women’s vital role in shaping the NHS. Through her work, Kandace aims to inspire young readers and honour the legacy of Black women in healthcare.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Kandace Chimbiri credit Warren Linton Photography. (R) Yunxin Li courtesy of Yunxin Li.)

For decades, the world of driving instructors was largely male dominated. Up until recently not every woman even had the right to drive - that only changed in 2018 when Saudi Arabia lifted their ban on female drivers. Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two instructors to find out what it takes to teach this skill. Aman Sanghera, a London-based driving instructor, turned to social media during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep teaching and share practical driving tips on her YouTube channel, Clearview Driving. Her videos quickly went viral, amassing nearly a billion views. Haru Hasegawa was a secondary school teacher in the Philippines but, since moving to Japan, now helps foreigners navigate the challenges of learning to drive in Tokyo at EDS Driving School. She made the career switch after her own Japanese driving instructor suggested it as a perfect fit.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Aman Sanghera courtesy of Aman Sanghera. (R) Haru Hasegawa courtesy of Haru Hasegawa.)

Glaciers have shaped the world's landscapes and continue to affect earth's climate just as human caused climate change impacts them. Datshiane Navanayagam talks to two women dedicating their lives to the study of these giant ice structures. Jemma Wadham is a glacier biogeochemist and writer whose research has taken her to glaciers in Greenland, Antarctica, Svalbard, Chilean Patagonia, the Peruvian Andes and the Himalaya. She’s particularly interested in glacier-hosted life and the impacts of glaciers on the global carbon cycle. She’s won several awards for her academic work. Her book Ice Rivers is for a wider audience. She works at the University of Bristol and the Arctic University of Norway.Heidi Sevestre is a French scientist who's studied glaciers around the world, from the French Alps to Greenland, from the Arctic to Antarctica. She’s part of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme and also works on a project looking at the last glaciers of Africa, found in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, in Uganda. She is passionate about communicating the wonders of the cryosphere and the threats targeting it.Producer: Jane Thurlow(Image: Heidi Sevestre (L) , Credit Mael Sevestre. (R) Jemma Wadham. Credit T Bruckner)

Women’s magazines collectively reach millions of readers each month. Beyond their influence in fashion, these publications are pivotal in addressing critical women's issues and advocating for empowerment. Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two magazine editors to explore their approaches to staying relevant in an ever-evolving media landscape.Grace O'Neill began her career at ELLE Australia as an intern and is now the Editor of the magazine. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, The New York Times' T Magazine and British Vogue.Iveta Dzērve is the Editor-in-Chief at SANTA, Latvia's leading lifestyle magazine. She has two decades of experience in medical, healthcare and lifestyle journalism.Produced by Emily Naylor and Elena Angelides for the BBC World Service.(Image: (L) Iveta Dzērve, credit Karlina Vitolina. (R) Grace O'Neill, credit Gabby Laurent.)

The bra industry is worth billions of dollars a year, yet designs haven't changed a lot since the modern bra came into common use in the early 20th century. Datshiane Navanayagam talks to a sports bra designer from Wales and a breast cancer survivor in the US about their innovative new designs.After a diagnosis of breast cancer in her late 20’s, Dana Donofree took her own experience of struggling to find a bra that was comfortable and pretty to found her own company, AnaOno. With a background in fashion design and talking to many women in the breast cancer community she's (re)designing intimates for those that have undergone surgery.Mari Thomas-Welland used to work as a sports bra performance tester, testing the performance of sports bras for some of the biggest brands under laboratory conditions. After realising that, despite her job, she still couldn't find her perfect sports bra she decided to design her own and founded her company, Maaree. They're now the official bra supplier to the Welsh rugby team.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Dana Donofree credit AnaOno LCC. (R) Mari Thomas-Welland credit Mari Thomas-Welland.)

Children's TV presenters from Ireland and South Africa tell Datshiane Navanayagam about working in television and their love for inspiring young minds.Niamh Ní Chróinín from Ireland is a children's TV presenter for Cúla4, an Irish-language channel that broadcasts exclusively in Gaelic. She is keen to foster a love for Irish culture and language among children. Shudufhadzo Mathagwa is a South African children's TV presenter, model and actor who is passionate about youth empowerment. She currently presents on Play Room, the 24-hour children’s television channel that combines education and entertainment with both a local and international focus. Produced by Emily Naylor for the BBC World Service.(Image: (L) Niamh Ní Chróinín courtesy of Niamh Ní Chróinín. (R) Shudufhadzo Mathagwa courtesy of Shudufhadzo Mathagwa.)

Commercial divers from Canada and Australia share their experiences of working in a dangerous, male-dominated field with Datshiane Navanayagam.Sarah Anvari from Canada is a Dive Supervisor and Welder-Diver at Subsea Global Solutions in Vancouver. She specializes in ship husbandry commercial diving, providing services for commercial shipping, cruise lines, offshore projects, and marine construction.Tiff Allen from Australia is a highly skilled saturation diver. She has extensive experience in deep-sea commercial diving, performing complex underwater tasks and ensuring safety on offshore projects.Produced by Emily Naylor for the BBC World Service.(Image: (L) Tiff Allen courtesy of Tiff Allen. (R) Sarah Anvari courtesy of Sarah Anvari.)

Traditionally women often take on much of the responsibility for practical and emotional support for a family as well as passing on family knowledge and traditions. But is the role still relevant? Datshiane Navanayagam talks to women from Canada and the UK about being a modern matriarch.All her life, Helen Knott has looked to the strong women in her indigenous community for guidance, absorbed their stories and admired their independence. When her mother and grandmother died she tried to step into the roles they'd held in community. Her book Becoming a Matriarch is a love letter to the eldest daughters of families who often carry invisible responsibilities.Tanika Gupta is an award-winning playwright British playwright whose work celebrates her Bengali culture and often challenges gender and race stereotypes. She has worked across theatre, television, radio and film. Her latest play A Tupperware Of Ashes is about a restaurateur with dementia and the impact on her three children of looking after her. Tanika wrote the play after her own mother died from cancer. It will be screened internationally by the National Theatre later this year. Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Tanika Gupta credit Oscar May. (R) Helen Knott courtesy Duckworth Books.)

Musicians from China and Syria tell Datshiane Navanayagam about taking up traditional instruments and introducing them to western audiences.Wu Man is one of the world's foremost players of the pipa: a four-stringed Chinese lute which dates back 2000 years. She's also a composer and passionate advocate for Chinese traditional music.Maya Youssef from Syria is hailed as ‘queen of the qanun,’ the 78-stringed Middle Eastern plucked zither. Her award-winning intense and thoughtful music performances are rooted in the Arabic classical tradition but forge pathways into jazz, Western classical and Latin styles.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Maya Youssef credit Igor Studio. (R) Wu Man credit Call the Shots Photography.)

Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two women from Costa Rica and Switzerland about how animal behaviour is studied and what it reveals about life on our planet. Marta Manser from Switzerland is a Professor of Animal Behaviour at the University of Zurich. She is the project director of the Kalahari Meerkat Project and has studied the species for nearly thirty years. Marta’s work has significantly improved our understanding of meerkat social structures, vocal communication, and group coordination. Dr Gloriana Chaverri is an Associate Professor at the University of Costa Rica and a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. She began her work with bats by investigating their mating systems and social organization. Recently she has been focusing on bat vocal communication.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Marta Manser courtesy of Marta Manser. (R) Gloriana Chaverri courtesy of Gloriana Chaverri.)

Music therapists from Spain and the UK tell Datshiane Navanayagam about the role music can have reducing isolation and easing some symptoms of dementia.Professor Melissa Mercadal-Brotons teaches music therapy at Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya. She was president of the World Federation of Music Therapy and her clinical and research work focuses on the impact of music on people with dementia. Amina Hussain is Manchester Camerata’s principal flute and resident music therapist. She runs sessions with groups of people with dementia that revolve around improvisation where everyone has an instrument that’s easy to play. She says the alleviation of symptoms like anxiety, isolation and confidence are wonderful to see.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Amina Hussain. Credit: Amina Hussain. (R) Melissa Mercadal-Brotons. Credit: Melissa Mercadal-Brotons.)

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is a fundamental part of what makes us human. But is our ability to empathise with others at risk? If so, what could the consequences be for the next generation? Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two women from the UK and Denmark who see empathy as a crucial skill for children to have for their wellbeing and in order for society to function. Leslee Udwin is a Bafta winning film-maker turned activist. She is the founder of Think Equal, a global education initiative that integrates social and emotional learning into early childhood education to promote empathy and equality. Her work has received international recognition, including endorsements from global leaders and the United Nations. Iben Sandahl is a psychotherapist and author specializing in Danish parenting principles. She developed a methodology for teaching empathy in classrooms as part of an Erasmus+ project and has created a toolkit used by hundreds of teachers in four countries over three years.Producer: Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Leslee Udwin. Credit: Claus Boesen. (R) Iben Sandahl. Credit: Signe Bay)

Ella Al-Shamahi talks to sports psychologists from the US and South Africa about helping athletes achieve peak performance mentally and physically. Now seen as an essential part of any elite team, as well as being involved in maintaining good team dynamics they support athletes coping with competition stress, injury, and those preparing for retirement. Dr Koketjo Tsebe has worked with various national sporting codes in South Africa. She was a team psychologist for Banyana Banyana and supported the team during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. She is also a team psychologist for the national softball team and is part of the South Africa Olympic team heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games. Dr Kensa Gunter works with athletes in the US to help strengthen the mental aspects of performance. She’s involved with teams and individuals at high school and college as well Olympic hopefuls and elite athletes in tennis, the NFL and both the men’s and women’s NBA. Working in Atlanta she also advises coaches, athletic trainers, governing bodies and sports nutritionists.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Kensa Gunta credit Katlyne Hill. (R) Koketjo Tsebe courtesy Koketjo Tsebe.)

How are extraterrestrial spaces being designed? Ella Al-Shamahi talks to two space architects from Austria and the US to hear about how living spaces will be created for the moon and beyond. Barbara Imhof from Austria is a renowned space architect and co-founder of LIQUIFER Systems Group, specializing in designing sustainable habitats for space exploration. She collaborates with NASA and ESA on projects like the Mars Analog Habitat and inflatable lunar habitats. Barbara's work integrates architecture, technology, and human factors to advance space exploration and inspire sustainable design on Earth. Melodie Yashar is an Amercian architect and technologist focused on advancing human space exploration through innovative architecture and construction technologies. She has worked on projects such as Mars Dune Alpha and the Mars Ice House, emphasizing sustainable habitats for space environments. Melodie co-founded SEArch+ (Space Exploration Architecture) and collaborates with NASA on extraterrestrial construction initiatives.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Melodie Yashar credit Regan Morton. (R) Barbara Imhof credit Bruno Stubenrauch.)

Judo is a powerful practice that cultivates discipline, resilience and community. It's also an incredible test of physical and mental strength. Ella Al-Shamahi speaks to two top female judo competitors to find out what it takes to be an elite athlete.Tina Trstenjak is a recently retired Slovenian judoka and Olympic gold medallist in the women's 63 kg category at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. She has also secured multiple World and European Championship titles, solidifying her status as one of the top competitors in her weight class. recently retired, she works for the International Judo Federation as an expert and referee observer. Sandrine Billiet is from Belgium and has also competed for Cape Verde internationally including at the 2019 World Judo Championships and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She says judo sustained her through her teenage years and the long illness of her mother. She works for the World Olympians Association.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Sandrine Billiet courtesy International Judo Federation. (R) Tina Trstenjak credit Gabriela Murgeanu-Sabau.)

Datshiane Navanayagam talks to ‘Tine Zekis from the US and Hira Ali from Pakistan, two career coaches seeking to understand and reexamine what imposter syndrome really means, as well as offer their advice on how to overcome it.‘Tine Zekis has dedicated her career to helping women of colour succeed in the workplace. In 2022, she founded an organisation which provides women with key insights on salary negotiation, career moves and imposter syndrome called Getting Black Women Paid. ‘Tine is the author of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome at Work: The Black Woman's Guide to Conquer Perfectionism, Stop Overthinking & Thrive in Your Career. Hira Ali had been feeling symptoms of imposter syndrome long before discovering the term existed. It wasn’t until her article for The Huffington Post about the topic went viral that she realised just how pervasive the experience is, and began mentoring and coaching others. She is the author of two books: Her Way To The Top: A Guide to Smashing the Glass Ceiling and Her Allies: A Practical Toolkit to Help Men Lead Through Advocacy. Produced by Elena Angelides (Image: (L) 'Tine Zekis credit Noor Naseer. (R) Hira Ali credit Sabiha Hudda-Khaku.)

Laughter isn't just for fun - it's a powerful tool that strengthens social bonds, enhances group dynamics and fosters emotional connection. It’s also great for our health. Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two specialists about why having a laugh works. Professor Sophie Scott is a British cognitive neuroscientist whose research has helped millions of people better understand and appreciate the use of laughter in social interactions. She is the director of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience where she also runs a lab. Dr Disa Sauter is a social psychologist at the University of Amsterdam who leads the Positive Emotions Project (PEP). This initiative seeks to explore the unique benefits of various positive emotions. A key focus of her work is investigating how laughing can strengthen social bonds and enhance overall well-being.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Disa Sauter courtesy of Disa Sauter. (R) Sophie Scott, credit Small Wardour Studios.)

How do you report on what is going on in your country when it is no longer safe for you to be there? Ella Al-Shamahi talks to two women journalists who are living away from their home.Hind al-Eryani is a freelance journalist and human rights advocate from Yemen. She publishes a blog and features in international media like The Washington Post and France’s TV5. She has covered the war in her country, written about women's rights and led a campaign against the use of Gat, a mild narcotic leaf common in Yemen. After facing threats to her life she now lives in Sweden with her daughter.Journalist Nazeeha Saeed, was arrested and detained by Bahraini authorities while covering protests in the country for France 24 TV and Radio Monte Carlo. Nazeeha says she was subjected to torture and abuse, but remained in Bahrain for five years trying to continue her journalism despite attempts to restrict and silence her. She eventually left and now lives in Germany.Producer: Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Nazeeha Saeed, credit Hamza Qabbani. (R) Hind Al Eryani, credit Jesper Anhede.)

Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to Lilian Olivia Orero and Nighat Dad about the scale of harassment women face on the internet.Lilian Olivia Orero is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, award-winning writer and champion of women’s digital rights. She is the founder of the community-based organisation SafeOnlineWomen-Kenya. Lilian Olivia recently served as the youngest person on a UN led programme aimed at ending violence against women and girls.Nighat Dad is a Pakistani lawyer and founder of Digital Rights Foundation, a charity organisation focused on cyber harassment, data protection and free speech online in Pakistan and South Asia. As a feminist and pioneer for women's rights activism in Pakistan, Nighat has raised awareness of Pakistani patriarchy.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Lilian Olivia Orero, credit Daniel Samwel. (R) Nighat Dad, courtesy of Nighat Dad)

In recent years women have overtaken men as the majority on allotments and community gardens. These spaces for growing fruit and vegetables to eat at home have been peaceful places that provide families with healthy food. Datshiane Navanayagam talks to two women from Kenya and Ukraine about the appeal of these plots.JC Niala is a writer, academic and creative from Kenya who has written about the history of allotments. Alongside Greenpeace, she has co-created ‘The Waiting List’, an allotment-sized artwork highlighting the significant demand and lengthy waiting lists for allotments. Olia Hercules is a Ukrainian cook and author of the award-winning Mamushka cook book. Raised in rural Ukraine she later moved to London where she missed the fresh tastes of homegrown food. This led her to start the lengthy process of securing an allotment, which she says helps make a place feel like ‘home’, particularly during times of war and displacement. They've written essays for a book celebrating allotment life called This Allotment: Stories of Growing, Eating and Nurturing.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) JC Niala, courtesy of JC Niala. (R) Olia Hercules, credit Joe Woodhouse.)

Ella Al-Shamahi speaks to two of the first generation of women to ever fly F16s, Manja Blok for the Netherlands Air Force and Heather Penney for the US Air Force. Manja Blok was the first female operational F-16 fighter pilot in the world. After taking the aviation exam at 19, Manja was told she was unfit to become a pilot and pursued a career as a beautician instead. She tried again at 22 and in 1991, made her F-16 debut in a career that lasted a decade and paved the way for women behind her. Heather Penney joined the US Air Force in the late nineties, after Congress lifted the combat exclusion for women in aviation in 1993. Six months after becoming qualified for combat, Heather was assigned a mission on September 11th 2001 during the attacks in New York and Washington D.C, to intercept hijacked Flight 93.Produced by Elena Angelides (Image: (L) Manja Blok, courtesy of Joni Isreali. (R ) Heather Penney, courtesy of Tim Engle)

Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two female neurosurgeons to hear about the pressures and rewards that come from working in their intense and male-dominated medical field. Dr. Lola Chambless is an American neurosurgeon based in Nashville. She is passionate about medical education and serves as the Residency Program Director in Neurological Surgery. Dr. Giselle Coelho is an award-winning paediatric neurosurgeon from Brazil who has a PhD from Harvard. She is currently the Scientific Director of the EDUCSIM Institute and works at Sabará Hospital.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Dr. Lola Chambless, credit Vanderbilt University Medical Center. (R) Dr. Giselle Coelho, credit Trianon Clinic.)

A British explorer who transformed travel and travel writing and a Nigerian novelist and travel blogger talk to Ella Al-Shamahi about their adventures around the world.Hilary Bradt co-founded the world's largest independently owned guidebook publisher fifty years ago. She’s been inspiring travellers to go off the beaten track ever since, publishing guides to destinations where no guidebook previously existed, like Uganda, Yugoslavia, North Korea, Eritrea and Madagascar.Lola Akinmade Åkerström is a Nigerian travel storyteller, photographer, speaker and an international author whose books are published in 18 languages. She lives in Sweden, teaches travel writing and is the current editor-in-chief for Slow Travel Stockholm.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Lola Akinmade Åkerström, credit Jessica Wikström. (R) Hilary Bradt, credit Alex Graeme.)

Ella Al-Shamahi talks to two women from Wales and Goa rescuing people in trouble on the coast. Vivienne Grey was one of the first women to become a crewmember at Little and Broad Haven RNLI in Wales when she started as a volunteer in 1990. She's been involved in more than 120 ‘shouts’ on the lifeboat and is credited directly for saving the lives of eight people. She’s now training coordinator at the lifeboat station and works part-time as a teacher. Vivienne also volunteers with the local Coastguard Rescue Team. Ananyaa Bath is a lifeguard and lifeguard trainer in India. She works for Drishti Marine, a safety and life-saving service, which has 400 life-savers patrolling Goa's 103km coastline.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Vivienne Grey, credit RNLI. (R) Ananyaa Bath, credit Drishti Marine.)

Ella Al-Shamahi meets two women tackling negative or ageist attitudes towards older people around the world. Alana Officer is leading the World Health Organization Decade of Ageing Well. With a background in podiatric medicine, exercise and public health she's worked on health, disability, rehabilitation and development in West and Central Africa, Europe, South Asia, the Middle East and the Western Pacific. Lina Walker is Senior Vice President of Global Thought Leadership for AARP. (AARP was formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons.) Her aim is to improve opportunities for increased longevity with healthier, financially resilient, and connected lives. An economist, Dr Walker also co-leads AARP’s health care strategy on advocacy, policy, education, and outreach. Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Lina Walker, credit AARP. (R) Alana Officer, courtesy Alana Officer.)

What's it like to compete for life-changing amounts of money on national television while cut off from the outside world? Ella Al-Shamahi meets two women who’ve taken part in TV show competitions to find out what happens on and off the camera.Alex Duggan was the winner of the first season on The Traitors Australia - a show all about lying and deception. She ended up in one of the most dramatic finals ever seen on the show. After winning Alex experienced trolling on social media due to her sexuality and betrayal of her fellow castmates during the competition.Lída Puldová from the Czech Republic signed up for the TV show Survivor assuming it would be a chance for her to explore her adventurous side. She was the oldest contestant on the series. The reality of the show starkly contrasted with Lída's expectations, leading her to regret her decision to participate.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Lída Puldová, TV Nova. (R) Alex Duggan, credit Channel Ten.)

What’s women’s experience of homelessness across Europe? In Finland it's on the decrease, but in Portugal it's rising. Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two women who are fighting to eradicate homelessness.Saija Turunen is the head of research at Y‐Foundation, the largest nationwide non-profit landlord in Finland. The organisation promotes social justice by providing affordable rental housing - they currently own over 19000 homes in nearly 60 locations. Luísa Gomes moved to Portugal as a child from East Timor and was homeless for 15 years. She is the co-founder of SOMOS, an association created by and for women who have experienced or are currently facing homelessness.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Luísa Gomes, courtesy of Luísa Gomes. (R) Saija Turunen, courtesy of Saija Turunen.)

The infamous Dakar race (formerly known as Paris-Dakar) is a gruelling off-road endurance rally. Since its inception in 1978, there has only been one overall female winner. Ella Al-Shamahi meets two women who took part in this year’s event.Aliyyah Koloc is the youngest driver to take part in the race. She’s a 19-year-old professional race driver born in Dubai, raised by a Czech father and a mother from the Seychelles. She grew up with motorsports as her father, Martin Koloc, was a well-known racing driver in the 90s and two-times European Truck Racing Champion. After a first successful career in tennis, Aliyyah switched to motorsports only four years ago.Motocyclist and rally driver Annie Seel from Sweden is a legend in the motorsports world. She’s been the female Dakar champion for both the motorbike and car categories, and this year was her 11th time taking part. She was also the first woman to set a record climbing Mount Everest on a motorbike and is an advocate for women in motorsports.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Aliyyah Koloc, credit Buggyra ZM Racing. (R) Annie Seel, credit MCH Photography/X-raid.)

Beatriz de La Pava Hucke talks to two women committed to reducing the stigma and harm caused by drug addiction and tackling the damage done by the illegal drug trade in Europe and the United States.Angela Kennecke is a journalist in the United States who lost her 21 year old daughter to fentanyl poisoning. Emily was three days away from being checked into a treatment centre and died after taking what she thought was heroin. Angela has since founded Emily’s Hope – a non-profit organisation to raise awareness in the opioid crisis and end the stigma of addiction.Laura d’Arrigo works in Paris as diplomatic advisor at the French Interministerial Mission on combating drugs and addictive behaviours. For six years (2016-2021) she chaired the management board of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction which is the leading authority on illicit drugs in the European Union. The agency provides independent scientific evidence and analysis on all aspects of this constantly changing threat to individual lives and wider society. She spoke to us in a personal capacity.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Angela Kennecke, credit Chris Reistroffer. (R) Laura d'Arrigo, credit Nuno Saraiva.)

Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two women about the magic of storytelling through puppetry. From the moment she played the part of a clock in a school play, Heather Lai from Hong Kong knew she wanted to go to drama school. It was there she fell in love with puppetry. After completing her training at The Curious School of Puppetry, she's performed on both the stage and in the television studio. Heather's currently starring in the award-winning My Neighbor Totoro at the Barbican Theatre. Ana Crăciun-Lambru is an award-winning theatre director and puppeteer from Romania. Her one-woman show 'Dust' uses puppetry to tell the stories of the Romanian women who emigrated to the US. Ana has performed worldwide and has also featured on Romania’s Got Talent with her puppet troupe.(Image: (L) Ana Crăciun-Lambru, credit Cristian Vasile (R) Heather Lai, credit Ori Jones.)

Datshiane Navanayagam meets two engineers who want more women to become inventors. Roma Agrawal is best known for her work on The Shard, the UK’s tallest building. She’s also the author of Nuts & Bolts, a book which explores the history of seven tiny but fundamental inventions that changed the world, and the role that women play in scientific innovation.Nzambi Matee is a Kenyan inventor who produces sustainable low-cost construction materials made of recycled plastic. Her company is called Gjenge Makers.Produced by Alice Gioia and Emily Naylor for the BBC World Service.

Datshiane Navanayagam meets two women who use what they learnt from their own divorce to help others heal. Sara Davison, also known as The Divorce Coach, is the best-selling author of The Split: From breakup to break-through, and Uncoupling: How to survive and thrive after breakup and divorce. Sara also hosts her own podcast, Heartbreak To Happiness. Chautè Thompson is a mental health counsellor, a family mediator and the founder of Brand New Me, a consulting practice helping women restart their lives after divorce. She has published two books, Brand New Me: The Pursuit of Wholeness and Brand New Me: Complemented, Completed and Whole.Produced by Alice Gioia(Image: (L) Chautè Thompson, courtesy of Chautè Thompson. (R) Sara Davison, courtesy of Sara Davison.)

Datshiane Navanayagam meets two Oscars nominated directors who put women at the centre of their movies.Nazrin Choudhury is a British filmmaker of Bangladeshi descent. Her directorial debut, Red, White and Blue, follows the story of an American single mother, living paycheck to paycheck, who crosses state lines to try and get an abortion. Nisha Pahuja is an Indian-Canadian filmmaker. Her movie, To Kill A Tiger, is a poignant documentary about an Indian family seeking justice for their daughter, who was gang raped at 13.Produced by Jane Thurlow and Alice Gioia(Image: (L) Nazrin Choudhury. (R) Nisha Pahuja. Credit Tricia Yourkevich/BBC)

Beatriz De La Pava Hucke talks to two women telling the stories of communities threatened by the environmental impact of rising seas, flood damage and increasing temperatures. They're using photography, poetry and literature to express the realities of climate change in communities around the world.Arati Kumar-Rao is a National Geographic Explorer, environmental photographer, writer and artist. She chronicles the changes in landscape caused by climate change, and she’s currently reporting on human migration in India. Her book is called Marginlands.Professor Christina Gerhardt founded the Environmental Humanities Institute at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. She's written a book called Sea Change: An Atlas of Islands in a Rising Ocean. It covers 49 islands, islets and atolls, from the Artic to the Antarctic, that are most threatened by rising sea levels. It looks at their history and culture with testimony, poetry and literature from the islanders themselves showing a defiant sense of hope, often against all odds.Produced by Jane Thurlow(Image: (L) Christina Gerhardt, courtesy of Christina Gerhardt. (R) Arati Kumar-Rao, courtesy of Arati Kumar-Rao.)

When Angela Cacace moved into her new house, she decided to teach herself how to renovate it. Angela is now running her own company, A.Marie Design Build, and has launched Move Over Bob, an online resource for women in the skilled trades. Clémentine Mollier is a French marine carpenter who specialises in restoring and building classic wooden boats. She has just joined the restoration team working on the HMS Victory, the oldest commissioned warship in the world. Beatriz De La Pava Hucke meets both women who have carved their own career in a male dominated industry. Produced by Alice Gioia(Image: (L) Clémentine Mollier, courtesy of Clémentine Mollier. (R) Angela Cacace. Credit Vincent Cacace)

Beatriz De La Pava Hucke meets two writers and chefs who explore their culture, history and identity through food. Dina Macki is a recipe developer and writer who basis her work around Omani cuisine. She works with international brands, restaurants and hotels in the UK and in the Gulf region. She’s just published her debut cookbook, Bahari: Recipes from an Omani Kitchen and Beyond.Keshia Sakarah is a chef and owner of Caribe’ - Caribbean Eating and the Baruru Supper-club. She travelled across the Caribbean Islands to discover and collect traditional recipes. Her first book, Caribe': A Cookbook with History, will come out in 2025.Produced by Sarah Kendal, Alice Gioia and Jane Thurlow.(Image: (L) Keshia Sakarah, courtesy of Keshia Sakarah. (R) Dina Macki, courtesy of Dina Macki.)

Datshiane Navanayagam meets two award-winning nature documentary makers. Always struggling to choose between science and art, Brazilian Angela Prochilo found her way into nature documentary making after completing a zoology degree at university. Her most recent projects showcase the endeavours of women in wildlife conservation and research. Andrea Florence is an Emmy-award winning nature documentary maker from England. She studied natural sciences and lived for three years on a boat in the Amazon rainforest. She also produced the pioneering series Animals in the womb.Produced by Emily Naylor and Alice Gioia(Image: (L) Andrea Florence, credit Dave Dickie. (R) Angela Prochilo, courtesy of Angela Prochilo.)

Ella Al-Shamahi meets two women on the frontline in the fight against malaria. Dr Ify Aniebo is from Nigeria, the country worst hit by malaria. She is an Associate professor with the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, where she works to improve the country's response to drug resistance and malarial transmission.Dr Mehreen Datoo is a clinical lecturer in Infectious Diseases at the University of Oxford and she’s on the team that developed the R21/Matrix-M, the WHO approved vaccine that will be rolled out across Africa in 2024. Produced by Alice Gioia, Emily Naylor and Jane Thurlow.(Image: (L) Dr Mehreen Datoo, courtesy of Dr Mehreen Datoo. (R) Dr Ify Aniebo, courtesy Dr Ify Aniebo.)

This programme contains discussion of suicide and suicide attempts. If you feel affected by this topic, you could speak to a health professional or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at: www.befrienders.org Datshiane Navanayagam meets two women who use their own personal experience of love and loss to help others heal. Raashi Thakran is a mental health advocate from India. After losing her 18-year-old brother Raghav to suicide, Raashi campaigned to create the country’s first 24/7 helpline, which launched in September 2020. Charlotte Maya is a lawyer and writer form the US. Charlotte was 39 when her husband Sam took his own life. Her memoir, Sushi Tuesdays, is a frank and ultimately hopeful account of how she tried to make sense of this loss for herself as well as for her two young children. Produced by Alice Gioia(Image: (L) Raashi Thakran, courtesy of Raashi Thakran. (R) Charlotte Maya, credit Karen Ray Photography.)

Sana Safi meets two parenting experts who help women navigate their relationship with their teenage sons. Rosalind Wiseman is the best-selling author of 9 books, including Queen Bees & Wannabes, which became the inspiration for the movie Mean Girls, and Masterminds & Wingmen, in which she discusses the joys and challenges of raising young men. Rosalind also co-founded Cultures of Dignity, an organisation that partners with communities to bring social and emotional learning to all.Phinnah Chichi Ikeji is a British-Nigerian family coach. She’s the founder of Parenting Teens Solutions and Empowering the next generation, two organisations helping parents and teachers understand today’s teenagers. Her book is called The Parenting Teens Navigation System. Produced by Alice Gioia(Image: (L) Rosalind Wiseman (R) Phinnah Chichi Ikeji.)

Nelufar Hedayat meets two criminal defence lawyers who fight for people's lives on death row. Sarah Belal is a barrister and the founder of Justice Project Pakistan. She represents the most vulnerable people on death row in Pakistan and abroad. Andrea Lyon is a lawyer, professor and former law school dean. She was the first woman to serve as lead attorney in a death penalty case, and she holds 19 wins in 19 capital cases. Her book is called Angel of Death Row. Produced by Alice Gioia.(Image: (L) Andrea Lyon. (R) Sarah Belal, credit Getty Images.)

Kim Chakanetsa meets two women who are revolutionising the dairy industry.Mausam Narang is the founder and Head Cheesemaker at Eleftheria cheese. She has made history by becoming the first Indian person to win big at the World Cheese Awards in 2021. Before working in the dairy industry, Mausam studied language in Germany and worked in the corporate world for 8 years. It’s during her travels in Europe that Mausam caught the cheese-making bug, and in 2014 she decided to start her own artisan cheese company. Emma Young a.k.a. The Cheese Explorer is a specialist and consultant and the author of The Cheese Wheel. She has worked in the Cheese industry since 2009 in retail, wholesale, cheesemaking, judging and now as a teacher and consultant to the cheese industry. She is also an International cheese judge and a teacher for the Academy of Cheese and the Guild of Fine Food.Produced by Alice Gioia(Image: (L) Mausam Narang. (R) Emma Young, credit Richard Heald Photography.)

Kim Chakanetsa meets two cybersecurity experts who help women stay safe online. Vandana Verma Sehgal is a Security Solutions leader at Snyk and the Chair of the Board of Directors for OWASP, the Open Web Application Security Project Foundation. She is also the founder of InfosecKids and InfosecGirls.Sophina Kio-Lawson is an information security engineer from Nigeria and the co-founder for SheSecures, an initiative that promotes cyber literacy and inspires and empowers young African women who aspire to work in the tech industry. Produced by Alice Gioia. (Image: (L) Sophina Kio-Lawson. (R) Vandana Verma Sehgal.)

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two women from Kenya and India who have established their own schools about the life-changing impact an education can have for their communities. For Dr Kakenya Ntaiya, the dream of an education turned into a lifelong mission to empower girls in rural Kenya. She founded the Kakenya Center for Excellence, a primary boarding school for girls in southwest Kenya. The school has grown into a successful nonprofit organization called Kakenya’s Dream with a focus on education, health and leadership. You can find out more by searching @KakenyasDream on major social media platforms.After spending decades at the top of the corporate ladder, Shukla Bose decided to shift direction, fuelled by a desire to alleviate social injustice. She founded Parikrma Humanity Foundation, a nonprofit organization that runs English-medium schools for under-privileged children in Bangalore. For more information, please search @parikrma_foundation on Instagram.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Kakenya Ntaiya, credit Lee-Ann Olwage. (R) Shukla Bose, courtesy of Shukla Bose.)

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two paramedics from Norway and Australia to learn about the demands and rewards of working as part of the emergency response. Randi Simensen was awarded Ambulance Worker of the Year in 2023 and has 20 years' experience working as a paramedic at Oslo University Hospital, Norway. She was the first Norwegian woman ever to operate a single paramedic unit in 2009. Randi also works as a PhD candidate affiliated with Innlandet Hospital Trust and the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation. Michelle Murphy from Australia has 27 years’ experience as an Intensive Care Paramedic across Metropolitan and Rural Regions in front line and senior management roles. She created the Council of Ambulance Authorities Women in Leadership group and has been honoured with an Australian Meritorious Service Award.

Kim Chakanetsa meets two climate change pioneers who are are on this year's BBC 100 Women list.Basima Abdulrahman is the founder and CEO of KESK, the first company in Iraq that offers green services and products. Jennifer Uchendu is the founder of SustyVibes, a youth-led sustainability organisation, and The Eco Anxiety Project, an initiative promoting awareness and research into climate change and its impact on young Africans’ mental health. Produced by Alice Gioia

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two world-renowned drummers to find out what it takes to play professionally in the music industry.Canadian Sarah Thawer started playing drums and singing at the age of two and her first stage performance was at five. Known professionally as Sarah Drums, Sarah is known for her versatility, playing a wide range of genres from jazz and fusion to funk, R&B, and hip-hop. Sarah has performed on shows such as Late Night With Seth Meyers and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.Anika Nilles is a German drummer, composer, solo musician, and musical educator. She launched her career on YouTube during the early 2010s and has released two full-length albums to date, both with backing band Nevell: Pikalar in 2017 and For a Colorful Soul in 2020.Produced by Emily Naylor.(Image: (L) Sarah Drums, credit Eduardo Orelha. (R) Anika Nilles, credit Marius Mischke.)

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two professional e-sport gamers who earn their living playing online.Julia 'Bish' Robson is a prominent gamer and Twitch streamer who tailors her content for a South African audience. She also hosts LAN events - days of gaming in large conference centers - where people often sleep under the desks in order to play as much as possible. She has to contend with regular load-shedding (full on electricity outages) which impacts her ability to make a living as a full-time gamer.Eefje Depoortere from Belgium is an award-winning television presenter, reporter, and e-sports player who is best known for hosting the League of Legends European Championship. She is known professionally as Sjokz.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Eefje Depoortere, credit Colin Young-Wolff. (R) Julia Robson, courtesy of Julia Robson.)