Woman's Hour

As of last week, all IVF treatment has been suspended in the UK. What impact is this having on women, and what could the longer-term consequences be? Tina Mulhern is 41 and can’t now start a second cycle of treatment after her first attempt failed in February. Anya Sizer is the London regional organiser of Fertility Network UK.Over the past few weeks, we’ve had lots of listeners getting in touch to tell us how gardening is helping them through lockdown. Fran Halsall is one of them - but she’s decided to use her skills outside of her own back yard. In today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, she tells Jenni what it’s like volunteering as a planter and picker on a local farm, and how she’s trying to galvanise others to have a go at growing by making a series of simple instructional videos. The lockdown seems like the perfect opportunity to give sewing and mending your own clothes a try. It’s also a time when sewists have been lending their hands to help the NHS frontline. Ros Studd is a textiles teacher who’s just launched the website Repair What You Wear; Dulcie Scott is a TV costume designer who’s worked on Downton Abbey and His Dark Materials and is now co-ordinating Helping Dress Medics, a project to sew much-needed hospital scrubs, and Esme Young is a fashion designer and judge on The Great British Sewing Bee, which returns for a new series tonight on BBC 1. The things we cherish aren’t always expensive. Instead, we treasure the stuff that reminds us of special people, particular times in our lives, or which stand for something important. The writer and broadcaster Sali Hughes talks to Elen Jones about a particularly special pair of glasses. The last century and a half has seen remarkable changes in women’s lives - perhaps not least that today three quarters of mothers are in paid employment. In the nineteenth century working mothers were in a minority and, the fact that they were working was widely regarded to be a social ill damaging to their families and wider society. While the working lives of the earliest women doctors or factory workers were very different both had to wrestle with cultural assumptions that they were somehow neglecting their domestic duties. Many women with children were driven to work by economic necessity but, it also appears that many of them came to enjoy a measure of financial independence and a life beyond the home. The historian Helen McCarthy discusses her new book ‘Double Lives: A History of Working Motherhood’ and how much attitudes to mothers in the work place have changed - and how far we still have to go.

Death tolls are being reported every day but it’s still hard for many of us to talk about death and dying. We start that conversation with listeners and palliative care experts. We’ll talk about the current situation, facing death in hospital, at home or in care homes, how to do advance care planning, how best to grieve, and how at any time we can prepare for our own and our loved ones’ death.Presenter: Jenni Murray Interviewed guest: Dr Rachel Clarke Interviewed guest: Sarah Tully Interviewed guest: Dr Frances Goodhart Interviewed guest: Dr Catherine Millington-Sanders Interviewed guest: Fi Munro Producer: Lucinda MontefioreI

Known as ‘The People’s Club’, Everton football club has reacted quickly to the coronavirus outbreak by adapting its current community outreach programme to offer support to people across Liverpool. Jenni speaks to Everton player Simone Magill about how she is training at home and their director of Youth Engagement, Employability and Sports Development, Sue Gregory, about how the club has adapted their community to support those affected by coronavirus.The Early Years Alliance has warned that thousands of nurseries are facing permanent closure after the government appeared to change its guidance on furloughing staff. Jenni discusses the issue with Shannon Pite, Public Affairs Director of the Early Years Alliance which represents 14,000 providers. Over the last few weeks we've been focusing on the heightened risk to those experiencing domestic abuse in the UK during lockdown. How much is this being replicated in Europe? Jenni speaks to Natalie Higgins, Senior Europe Producer for the BBC.In Stephanie Scott’s debut novel, a man hired to have an affair with a woman by her husband slips up when he falls deeply in love. Stephanie joins Jenni to discuss the true story behind the novel.How to rediscover your wardrobe during lockdown. Emma Slade Edmondson is a consultant specialising in fashion, lifestyle and retail. She gives advice on how to fall in love with what’s already in your wardrobe, with tips on styling of clothing we already own for spring. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Louise Corley Editor Karen Dalziel Interviewed Guest: Simone Magill Interviewed Guest: Sue Gregory Interviewed Guest: Natalie Higgins Interviewed Guest: Stephanie Scott Interviewed Guest: Emma Slade Edmondson

Caring for a partner with dementia while isolating in lockdown - former nurse Liz Brookes whose husband has vascular dementia, and Chris Black whose wife has Pick's disease discuss. Bernadine Evaristo won the 2019 Booker Prize for 'Girl, Woman, Other'. Jenni talks to her about two of her novels 'The Emperor’s Babe' and 'Mr Loverman', both have just been re-published. Beauty tips for nails, eyebrows and waxing during lockdown with Sarah Jossel, Beauty Director of The Sunday Times Style magazine. Will Elizabeth Warren be Joe Biden’s running mate now he’s committed to a female US vice-president? Jane speaks to Dr Kelly Dittmar from the Centre for American Women and Politics. How are refuges coping with the impact of Covid-19? Tamara White is area manager of 10 refuges in London. The comedian Jayde Adams has been a fishmonger, a nightclub bouncer and an Adele impersonator. She talks about her shows, Serious Black Jumper, and Couch Cabaret. Bailey Tomkinson reached number 2 in the itunes Video Music Charts without a record label or management. She sings live in the studio. Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Dianne McGregor

Jane got into hot water this week about Arctic Roll. So, let’s see what she makes of Sourdough! One of our producers was given what’s called a “starter, and now thinks she has the basics of bread forever - because it's a live culture, which does however need care and attention. Could it be useful in times of lockdown? What’s the truth and how do we make it? Vanessa Kimbell is an expert.Will Elizabeth Warren be Joe Biden’s running mate now he’s committed to a female vice-president? Why are there a record number of Republican women candidates running in primary elections? What impact is Coronavirus having on women even being able to campaign? Jane talks to Dr. Kelly Dittmar from the Centre for American Women and Politics. MPs and campaigners are calling for urgent action to create stricter regulation around tube porn sites amidst a worldwide Covid-19 lockdown. Pornhub, one of the most popular online pornography websites, has seen traffic to its website boom as a result of forced isolation. What do parents need to be aware of when it comes to young people accessing online porn whilst being quarantined? Maria Miller MP is the chair of the Women and Equalities Committee. Girl On The Net is a sex blogger and author. Kate Isaacs is the founder of ‘Not Your Porn’ – a campaign urging stronger rules around sharing and uploading revenge porn. Plus material scientist Ainissa Ramirez talks about her book " The Alchemy of Us". She says as a black woman she often found that her “reflection in textbooks was hiding, missing, overshadowed.” Presenter Jane Garvey Producer: Kirsty Starkey Interviewed Guest: Maria Miller Interviewed Guest: Kate Isaacs Interviewed Guest: Girl on the Net Interviewed Guest: Ainissa Ramirez Interviewed Guest: Kelly Dittmar Interviewed Guest: Vanessa Kimbell

Victoria Atkins MP is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Safeguarding). Her portfolio includes modern day slavery, domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, including FGM. What support can vulnerable women and children expect during lock-down, what has happened to the stalled Domestic Abuse Bill and what are her priorities under lockdown in her constituency?The Tokyo Paralympics 2020 have been postponed. Three female athletes tell us how the delay is affecting them. Lucy Shuker has won two Paralympic bronze medals in Wheelchair Tennis, 17 year old para powerlifting champion Olivia Broome is looking forward to her first games and Mary Wilson is a para badminton athlete and hoping qualifying events will go ahead so that she’ll make it to Tokyo.A man lies dying in his bed at home. Meanwhile, his lover of nearly three decades is sitting for a portrait being painted by his wife. Ilaria Bernardini explores women’s stories in her first novel in English, The Portrait.Since lockdown how are women managing with their beauty maintenance - from chipped shellac to bushy eyebrows and body hair? Sarah Jossel, beauty director for the Sunday Times Style magazine, discusses how we can keep up appearances.Since the coronavirus outbreak, Annie Henderson and her friends from Sheffield, have been in daily communication via the medium of haiku – a form of short Japanese poetry. In today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, she explains how it’s helping them to record their thoughts and feelings from this unprecedented time.Presenter - Jenni Murray Producer – Louise Corley Guest - Victoria Atkins MP Guest - Lucy Shuker Guest -Olivia Broome Guest - Mary Wilson Guest - Ilaria Bernardini Guest - Sarah Jossel Guest - Annie Henderson

Bernardine Evaristo’s novels The Emperor’s Babe and Mr Loverman will both be re-published this week. Bernardine won the Booker Prize for Girl, Woman, Other but how do those two earlier works set up themes she then went on to explore further? And as people turn to books for distraction and escape during lockdown, what titles does Bernardine recommend?Jo Todd from the organisation RESPECT talks to us about perpetrators of domestic violence and what her charity is doing to help them stop their behaviour.Two refugee camps in Greece have cases of coronavirus, so what's it like to live there at the moment. We speak to Parwana Amiri who is staying at the Ritsona Refugee Camp and Katy Fallon who's a journalist based in Athens. And play and playfulness: how can we help our children get the most out of their playtime, and how can us adults take a leaf out of their book? Dr. Mel McCree joins us. She's a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Bath Spa University.Image credit: Jennie Scott

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, has said that help is out there to victims of domestic violence. Two million pounds is now available to increase support. Some victims may be able to find a safe place at a refuge, but what’s it like at the moment for women staying at refuges and those running them? We hear from the area manager of 10 refuges in London.For our Corona Diaries, Jane speaks to Jemima from Lincoln. She's 29 weeks pregnant, working from home and caring for a toddler while her husband, who's with the RAF, is stuck in the Falklands.As we're in lock-down, we can't go out to see the comedian Jayde Adams, so she's asking us to join her for a couch cabaret night each week. In her time, Jayde's been a supermarket fishmonger, a nightclub bouncer and an Adele impersonator and her show, Serious Black Jumper, went viral on TikTok.

A new ITV drama, Quiz, explores the Who Wants to be a Millionaire? coughing scandal of 2001. Charles Ingram, a former British Army major, his wife Diana and another contestant were found guilt of conspiring to cheat the show to win the top prize. Diana is played by Sian Clifford, who is best known for playing Phoebe Waller Bridge's TV sister Claire in Fleabag.Caring for your partner, your parent, your friend with dementia one on one can be challenging at any time but how are people coping isolated in lockdown? What are the extra pressures they face? We speak to Liz Brookes, former nurse. She lives outside of Manchester with her husband Mike, who has had vascular dementia for nine years now.EastEnders and Coronation Street are celebrating anniversaries this year. Then there's Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Rivercity, Doctors, not forgetting Holby, Casualty and all the Australian ones. Whatever's going on in real life, soap operas reflect it. So what is their appeal and how are they faring during lockdown? Comedians and real life couple Catherine Bohart and Sarah Keyworth discuss their weekly podcast You'll Do: Why we stick with the people we love, examining the real un-romanticised version of relationships.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Sian Clifford Interviewed guest: Liz Brookes Interviewed guest: Sally Ann Matthews Interviewed guest: Kelly Bright Interviewed guest: Prof Christine Geraghty Interviewed guest: Catherine Bohart Interviewed guest: Sarah Keyworth Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

The Coronavirus pandemic has seen a high level of anxiety among pregnant women and their families. So, what can pregnant women expect when the time to give birth does come? Jo Mountfield is Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a consultant obstetrician at University Hospital Southampton. She explains what maternity services might look like and why mums-to-be should still seek help if they’re concerned. We also hear from a new mother who gave birth on 30th March.Running a household in the coronavirus lockdown can feel a bit like we’re back in the 1950’s. Calling over the fence to borrow a cup of sugar has once more become a reality as some foods are now in short supply, and there’s ‘rationing’ of items in supermarkets, although some of those restrictions are now lifting. But every last breadcrumb counts if you don’t want to or indeed can’t leave the house. Dietician, Priya Tew and baking legend, Mary Berry share their tips on how to maintain a healthy diet and make the most of what you’ve got.When the first world war broke out the suffragettes suspended their campaign for Votes for Women to join the war effort. Pioneering couple, Louisa Garrett Anderson and Flora Murray moved to France and set up two small military hospitals with a staff of volunteer women surgeons, medics and nurses, amidst fierce opposition. Their medical and organisational skills so impressed they were asked by the War Ministry to return to London and establish a new military hospital in the heart of London’s West End. Wendy Moore’s book 'Endell Street' is about the lives of the pioneering couple and the hundreds of remarkable women who worked with them.Grace Davidson is a British soprano who specialises in the performance and recording of Baroque music. Grace is one of the soloists on a new album for Holy Week.A durag is a type of scarf, typically used to protect and maintain different styles of black hair, like dreadlocks or braids. It can be also worn as a fashion statement, and has been a staple part of black culture. But durags have also had their fair share of controversy, with some people making affiliations to gang culture. Last week, Rihanna made history – and a statement – by wearing a durag for her photoshoot on the front cover of British Vogue. Is this a turning point for how the durag is perceived in both popular culture and high fashion? Kenya Hunt is a Fashion Director at Grazia UK. Funmi Fetto is a Contributing Editor at British Vogue and the Beauty Director at the Observer Magazine.Co-parenting can be difficult at the best of times. But the outbreak of COVID 19 and the latest government advice to stay indoors, has forced some separated families to make some difficult choices. If you and your ex-partner share the caring responsibilities of your children, what’s the best way to manage? Ex-partners, Natalie Duvall and Daniel Dubier, and single mother, Endy Mckay, join Jenni to share their experience of the last couple of weeks.Julia Samuel has worked for the last thirty years as a psychotherapist, first for the NHS and then in private practice. Her second book, 'This Too Shall Pass: Stories of Change, Crisis and Hopeful Beginnings' has just been published. She talks to Jenni about how people are coping and how to manage in this time of tremendous change.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Rosie Stopher Editor: Kirsty Starkey

Cervical cancer affects more than 3,000 women a year. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have suspended routine appointments for cervical screening, while services in England are currently mixed. What is the advice for women awaiting appointments, results or referrals during lockdown? Kate Sanger, Head of Public Affairs at Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, and consultant gynaecologist Dr Christine Ekechi speak to Jenni.Grace Davidson is a British soprano who specialises in the performance and recording of Baroque music. Her purity of tone has attracted many of the leading contemporary composers to write for her, and her voice has also been featured in films such as The Hobbit and Pirates of the Caribbean. Grace is one of the soloists on a new album for Holy Week.We are all currently under pressure, but what if you are dealing with an addiction? According to the charity Action on Addiction, one in three people are addicted to something. How difficult can it be to remain sober or clean in lockdown, and what support can you still access? Jenni talks to Holly Sexton, Substance Misuse Practitioner at We Are With You and Caroline Turriff, a freelance journalist who is 15 years in recovery.Julia Samuel has worked for the last thirty years as a psychotherapist, first for the NHS and then in private practice. Her second book, This Too Shall Pass: Stories of Change, Crisis and Hopeful Beginnings has just been published. She tells Jenni about how people are coping and how to cope in this time of tremendous change.Presenter - Jenni Murray Producer – Sarah Crawley Guest - Kate Sanger Guest - Dr Christine Ekechi Guest - Julia Samuel Guest - Grace Davidson Guest – Holly Sexton Guest – Caroline Turriff

The UK’s leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders BEAT estimates that around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. They’ve seen a 30% increase for demands in services in light of the Coronavirus. With so much emphasis on food shortages and stockpiling, how are those with eating disorders going to be affected ? Listener Amy Nguyen is an Anorexia survivor, Megan Jayne Crabbe a mental health and lifestyle blogger and Jess Griffiths is one of BEAT’s Clinical Associate Trainers.Covid-19 has also seen a high level of anxiety among pregnant women. Jo Mountfield Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a consultant obstetrician at University Hospital Southampton explains what maternity services might look like and why mums to be should still seek help if they’re concerned. When the first world war broke out the suffragettes suspended their campaign for Votes for Women to join the war effort. Pioneering couple Louisa Garrett Anderson and Flora Murray moved to France and set up two small military hospitals with a staff of volunteers. It was so successful the War Ministry asked them to return to London and establish one there. Wendy Moore’s book Endell Street is about the lives of the pioneering couple and the remarkable women who worked with them. Writer Nicole Taylor talks about her new BBC Drama ‘The Nest’. And in today's Woman's Hour Corona Diary we hear from Rachel Snow-Miller about what it's like celebrating Passover under lockdown .Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Wendy Moore Guest; Nicole Taylor Guest; Amy Nguyen Guest; Megan Jayne Crabbe Guest; Jess Griffiths Guest; Rachel Snow-Miller

A range of think tanks and international organisations have warned that women could be hit harder by the economic fall-out from the Covid 19 Pandemic. The World Economic Forum is concerned that it could exacerbate existing financial inequality between men and women. The Women and Equalities House of Commons select committee has launched an inquiry into the potentially unequal impact of Covid 19 and responses to it. And, in recent days the government has extended its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to allow parents with caring responsibilities and domestic employees the possibility of being furloughed. Jenni talks to Clare McNeil, Associate Director at the Institute for Public Policy Research and to Sophie Walker, CEO of the Young Women’s Trust about the economic experiences of womenCo-parenting can be difficult at the best of times. But the outbreak of COVID 19 and the latest government advice to stay indoors, has forced some separated families to make some difficult choices. If you and your ex-partner share the caring responsibilities of your children, what’s the best way to manage? Ex partners Natalie Duvall and Daniel Dubier, and single-mother Endy Mckay join Jenni to share their experience of the last couple of weeks.Sheila Rock’s photos are the defining images of the British punk scene of the 70’s and 80’s – from The Clash to Blondie, she photographed them all. Since then, she’s gone on to photograph horses, Tibetan monks, and more recently, British seaside-goers. She joins Jenni to discuss capturing British spirit and culture.Play is crucial for young children to develop social skills and a sense of self. But with potentially months of lockdown and school closures ahead, will there be long-term consequences to being separated from their peers? Are only children more at risk than those with siblings? And how well are family relationships able to adapt and cope with prolonged isolation? Ali Lacey and a team of researchers from the University of Sussex are starting a new study to find out – and they’re inviting Woman’s Hour listeners to get involved - tinyurl.com/vagdn2vPresenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Caroline Donne Interviewed guest: Clare McNeil Interviewed guest: Sophie Walker Interviewed guest: Natalie Duvall Interviewed guest: Daniel Dubier Interviewed guest: Endy Mckay Interviewed guest: Sheila Rock Interviewed guest: Ali Lacey

Running a household in the Coronavirus lockdown can feel a bit like we’re back in the 1950’s. Calling over the fence to borrow a cup of sugar has once more become a reality as some foods are now in short supply, and there’s ‘rationing’ of items in supermarkets, though some of those restrictions are now lifting. But every last breadcrumb counts if you don’t want to or indeed can’t leave the house. Jane asks dietitian Priya Tew and baking legend Mary Berry for their tips on how to maintain a healthy diet and make the most of what you’ve got. Mary also gives us her recipe for lockdown birthday cake.MARY BERRY’S ‘LOCKDOWN’ BIRTHDAY CAKEVICTORIA SANDWICH INGREDIENTS FOR THE SPONGE • 225g baking spread • 225g caster sugar • 225g self-raising flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 4 large eggs FOR THE FILLING AND TOPPING • About 4 tbsp raspberry or strawberry jam • A little caster sugar INSTRUCTIONS Makes 6-8 slices 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas mark 4. Cut 2 greaseproof paper circles, grease the sandwich tins with baking spread and put the circles inside. Grease the circles. 2. Place the baking spread in a large mixing bowl, then add the caster sugar, self-raising flour and baking powder. Crack the eggs one at a time and then add to the bowl. 3. Using the electric mixer on slow speed, beat for 2 minutes until smooth. The mixture will be soft enough to drop off the beaters when you lift them up. 4. Divide the mixture equally between the prepared tins and level the surfaces with a palette knife or spatula. Place in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. 5. The cakes are ready when they are risen and pale golden. The tops should spring back when lightly pressed. Cool for about 2 minutes; loosen the edges with a knife. 6. Push the cased out of the tins on their bases, invert them and remove the bases. Cool the cakes the right way up on a rack. Soften the jam with a palette knife. 7. When the cakes are cold, remove the lining papers and invert one cake layer onto a plate. Spread with jam, put the other layer on top and sprinkle with caster sugar. This recipe is taken from: Baking Bible (BBC Books)The charity Citizens Advice has found that almost half of survivors of domestic abuse have had their post intercepted, opened or hidden by the perpetrator. This has resulted in missed medical treatments, isolation from vital support networks and billions in cost to survivors as a result of hidden bills or credit taken out in their identity. How can these victims of domestic abuse - and their families - receive better support? Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs is the Chief Executive of Surviving Economic Abuse. Anne Pardoe is a Policy Manager at Citizens Advice. Shana experienced economic abuse herself. What’s it like losing your dream job to Coronavirus? In today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, we hear from 21 year old Elizabeth who lives near Bude in Cornwall. She’d started working as a singer on a cruise ship when the Covid-19 crisis left her back on dry land and helping out on the family dairy farm. Although she wants to stay positive about getting back out to sea, she talks to Jane about the prospect of taking on the farm should anything happen to her parents. Lynda La Plante speaks to Jane about Buried, the first in her latest series of crime thriller books Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Caroline Donne Interviewed guest: Mary Berry Interviewed guest: Priya Tew Interviewed guest: Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs Interviewed guest: Anne Pardoe Interviewed guest: Lynda La Plante

With most families self-isolating how should we explain the sudden absence of close family members to very young children? Listener Glynis is 73 and self-isolating alone. She used to see her 26 month old granddaughter regularly but has now completely disappeared from her life. Will her granddaughter be feeling abandoned and confused? Is she too young to really notice? Lynne Hipkin is a Clinical Psychologist who works with children and families and will be explaining how everyone can accommodate these recent changes to our lives.Durags, black culture and high fashion. This week, Rihanna made history – and a statement – by wearing a durag for her photoshoot on the front cover of British Vogue. Is this a turning point for how the scarf is perceived in both popular culture and high fashion? Kenya Hunt is a Fashion Director at Grazia UK. Funmi Fetto is a Contributing Editor at British Vogue and the Beauty Director at the Observer Magazine.Young workers and women have been hardest hit by the shutdown of large sectors of the economy, according to research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies. We hear from the Deputy Director Robert Joyce. The American podcast Criminal has over 5.5 million downloads each month, and 133 episodes to date. Each episode tells a different real life story, ranging from Jolly Jane the notorious woman poisoner, to the tale behind the phrase Stockholm syndrome. Phoebe Judge, host and co-creator, joins Jane to talk podcasting, women criminals, and why people find true crime so fascinating?Novelist Sarah Vaughan on her new book, Little Disasters - a psychological thriller about the impossibility of understanding what’s going on in the mind of another. It explores the judgement of mothers, the loneliness some women feel and the need to reach out even when someone appears to be coping just fine.Presented by Jane Garvey Produced by Jane ThurlowInterviewed guest: Lynne Hipkin Interviewed guest: Robert Joyce Interviewed guest: Funmi Fetto Interviewed guest: Kenya Hunt Interviewed guest: Phoebe Judge Interviewed guest: Sarah Vaughan

We're being told to work from home if we can, so how is it going? Anna Harris who works for a marketing and advertising agency, and Caroline Whaley, the co-founder of a coaching consultancy aimed at women and leadership, discuss. Lara Lewington from BBC Click offers some tips and advice for staying in touch via tech. The Lives of Houses is a collection of essays which asks what a house can tell us about the person who lived there. Hermione Lee describes why we are so fascinated by the homes of famous literary figures. The Government has issued new guidelines on the personal protective equipment that should be used by NHS staff on the frontline. It's also said that it's important for social care staff to feel safe, and the new guidance will offer them information and reassurance. Christina McAnea, Assistant General Secretary of UNISON which represents thousands of workers in the sector, and Margaret Hodge MP for Barking and Dagenham, discuss. Kayleigh Llewyellyn is the writer and creator of a new BBC comedy drama series called In My Skin. Based on her own story of growing up in Wales, it follows 16 year Bethan as she negotiates her school life, sexuality, and hiding her mother’s mental illness from her friends and teachers.What does social distancing look like in one of the more remote parts of the UK? We find out through The Woman's Hour Corona Diaries with Angela Crawford from the Isle of Lewis. DIY hair care: the Dos and the Don'ts. Tanya Harrison is the founder of Harrison Hair Studio in Liverpool. She shares some tips if you’re eager to have a go yourself.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Dianne McGregor

The Government has issued new guidelines on the personal protective equipment that should be used by those on the NHS frontline. It has also said that it is important for social care staff to feel safe, and that the new guidance will give them information and reassurance. But how do the army of women working to provide care in care homes and care to vulnerable adults in their own homes feel? You may have heard us on Tuesday talk about the sad expectation that violence within the home is likely to increase because of our current lock-down. One way of alerting emergency services that you're in trouble is by using the code 55 on the phone. Lucy Hadley from Women's Aid explains how it works.In 1953 pioneering journalist Anne Scott-James started to write a weekly column for the Sunday Express newspaper. 'The Anne Scott-James Page' set the bar for a new way of writing. She perfected the art of the short, sharp column - filled with her views on men, children, fashion, beauty and anything else that took her fancy. Anne’s daughter, the writer Clare Hastings, provides an insight into the first female star of London's Fleet Street. In today’s Woman's Hour Corona Diaries, we hear from Pauline in Morecambe. She tells Jane how if you live alone but aren’t classified as vulnerable, it’s easy to slip through the net when you need a helping hand.Is isolation the perfect time to experiment with your hair? Or a reason to leave well alone until it’s in the hands of a professional? We discuss DIY hair care - the Dos and the definitely DON'Ts. Tanya Harrison is the founder of Harrison Hair Studio in Liverpool. She’s set up a virtual hair clinic for her clients and tells us what kind of questions they’ve had and shares some tips if you’re eager to have a go yourself.Presenter – Jane Garvey Producer – Sarah Crawley Guest – Margaret Hodge MP Guest – Christina McAnea Guest - Lucy Hadley Guest – Pauline Vaughan Guest – Tanya Harrison Guest – Clare Hastings

With the government announcement that low risk, pregnant women prisoners, and those in mother and baby units are to be released we hear from Dr Kate Paradine, Chief Executive of Women in Prison and Natasha Walter, Director of Women for Refugee Women. They discuss their concerns and reveal the fears of women in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, where a COVID 19 case has already been confirmed.Coronavirus has finally reached the Outer Hebrides. So for our second instalment of the Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, Jenni speaks to Angela Crawford from the Isle of Lewis. How is this news affecting island life? What does social distancing look like in one of the more remote parts of the UK? And how do people feel about supplies and medical care away from the mainland? Kayleigh Llewyellyn is the writer and creator of a new BBC comedy drama series In My Skin. Based on her own story of her childhood years in Wales, it follows 16 year Bethan as she negotiates her school life, sexuality, and hiding her mother’s mental illness from her friends and teachers. She’s also one of the writers on the fourth series of Killing Eve. She joins Jenni to discuss.Regula Ysewijn’s new book ‘Oats in the North, Wheat from the South’ is a love letter in recipes to the history and heritage of British baking culture. Each of the recipes are accompanied by stories of landscape, legends and traditions of Great Britain. Regula joins Jenni to talk about how the diverse climate of the British Isles influenced the growth of cereal crops and the development of a rich regional baking identity.Presenter - Jenni Murray Producer – Sarah Crawley Guest - Dr Kate Paradine Guest - Natasha Walter Guest - Angela Crawford Guest - Kayleigh Llewyellyn Guest - Regula Ysewijn

All professional and grassroots football matches across the country have been suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As the men’s teams are forced from the pitch and income falls away what will happen to the women’s teams they supported? Jen O'Neill, editor of shekicks.net and Kerys Harrop, Captain of Birmingham City Ladies, discuss the issues. The Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, told Woman’s Hour at the start of the year that the system of support for the most vulnerable children was under strain. The Covid 19 crisis has put additional pressures on that system, with many vulnerable children now out of school and many of their services closed. She says that she’s especially concerned about one million children who were at risk -living in households which are not stable, where there might be domestic violence, drug or alcohol addiction, financial hardship and severe mental health issues. She explains what these children need now. The Lives of Houses – a collection of essays which asks what a house can tell us about the person who lived there. Hermione Lee describes why we are so fascinated by the homes of the famous and often long dead.And, as the word home takes on a new significance in this lockdown – how hard is isolation if you live alone and how can you avoid suffering from loneliness? Jenni speaks to Kate Shurety the executive Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness and Rosie Weatherley from the mental health charity Mind.

We're being told to work from home if we can, so how's it going? What if you're sharing your home with someone else #WFH? Do you have enough space? As well as the paid work you're doing, how are the chores getting divided up? And what about looking after children in the middle of it all?Victims of violence in the home are being reassured that there's still help available for them despite what's happening. Sarah Green from End Violence Against Women describes how dangerous the lock-down is for victims of domestic abuse. We hear from Kate Elisabeth Russell, author of My Dark Vanessa. It's about an American teenager who's been groomed and raped by a teacher. At the time that it's happening the character thinks it's love, but realises when she's older that is was abuse. And how we're using tech to stay in touch. Lara Lewington from BBC Click gives us some tips on Zoom, Whatsapp and Houseparty.

The Royal College of Midwives says that coronavirus may mean its staff have to work elsewhere in the NHS, rather than looking after pregnant women. Dr Mary Ross Davie explains the RCM's concerns. Social workers are trying to keep working safely and effectively despite restrictions around Covid-19. However, a survey by the British Associations of Social Workers says many haven't been given solid advice or the right personal protection equipment. Dr Ruth Allen, Chief Executive of the BASW, describes the challenges that social workers face right now.We hear from two healthcare workers who've cared for SARS patients and Ebola patients. How did they cope during those pandemics and what can we learn from them now? And Calamity Jane: you're probably thinking of Doris Day right now but Calamity Jane really did exist in real-life. Professor Karen R. Jones from the University of Kent tells us how an American called Martha Jane Canary was the real Calamity Jane.

For women of colour, planting is becoming a popular way to establish ownership and celebrate cultural heritage. Aimée Grant Cumberbatch, founder of Grown, a gardening club for women of colour, and Flo Headlam, professional gardener and BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World’s first black presenter discuss.Ten organisations across the UK including Rape Crisis and End Violence Against Women have issued a joint statement about the impact Covid-19 could have on the lives of women and children. Women's Aid, Lucy Hadley on what action they would like to see taken.Dr Camilla Pang was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of eight. Now aged 26, and with a PhD in biochemistry, she has used her specialist scientific knowledge to identify what it really means to be human in her new book, 'Explaining Humans'.Why do we choose the clothes we do? In her new book, ‘Dress Your Best Life’, the American fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen explains how our clothing is the ‘connective tissue’ between the physical and emotional. How can parents help their children navigate the constant stream of information about Covid-19 online? Sonia Livingstone, professor of social psychology at the London School of Economics and an expert in digital literacy in children, and GP Dr Radha Modgil discuss. How is Covid-19 affecting regular Woman's Hour listeners? We hear from Mercy Haruna.Exercising when you're isolated at home. Fitness instructor Rosemary Mallace of Over Fifty Fitness and Professor Janet Lord, an expert in muscle health and immunity from the University of Birmingham, about why keeping moving is particularly important as you get older, and what you can do to exercise at home.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Dianne McGregor

Keeping up fitness when you're isolated at home. Jenni talks to fitness instructor Rosemary Mallace of Over Fifty Fitness and Professor Janet Lord, an expert in muscle health and immunity from the University of Birmingham, about why keeping moving is particularly important as you get older and what you can do to exercise at home.Earlier this week the Government published advice that women could be prescribed both abortion pills for a medical abortion, which they would be able to take at home, without attending a hospital or clinic. It has since said that this was published in error. With women trying to observe instructions to stay at home – some self-isolating – trying to reduce the spread of Coronavirus the British Pregnancy Advisory Service says that 500 women a day must make unnecessary journeys, with services and clinic closures forcing them to travel greater distances. So, how can those women who need an abortion access one safely and legally? Jenni speaks to Professor Lesley Regan, Past President RCOG and Co-Chair National Women’s Health Task Force and to Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow.Hampstead Theatre in London is currently streaming on Instagram, ‘I and You’ a play they produced in 2018 starring Maisie Williams in her first stage role. It looks at the struggle a teenager finding herself restricted to her home. The playwright, Lauren Gunderson, currently the most produced living playwright in the US, tells us about her play and what it says about the struggles of youth confined across the globe.Keeper by Jessica Moor is a novel set in a women’s refuge. Katie, an employee there, has died. As the women in the refuge insist Katie didn’t take her own life the police are forced to investigate. Jenni talks to debut novelist Jessica Moor and to Natasha Saunders who has experience of domestic abuse and of life in a refuge. What can fiction do to shed light on domestic abuse?Presented by Jenni Murray Produced by Jane ThurlowInterviewed guest: Stella Creasy Interviewed guest: Lesley Regan Interviewed guest: Lauren Gunderson Interviewed guest: Jessica Moor Interviewed guest: Natasha Saunders Interviewed guest: Rosemary Mallace Interviewed guest: Janet Lord

Dr Jenny Harries, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England has become a familiar face and reassuring voice at the regular press conferences from Number 10 over the last couple of weeks. Today she joins Jenni to talk about the latest advice and information about the coronavirus pandemic and answers questions posed by our listeners. We've been hearing a lot from medical experts, politicians and commentators recently. But how is Covid-19 affecting regular Woman's Hour listeners? Over the coming weeks, we're going to be following a range of families and individuals and asking them for their take on the unprecedented situation we currently find ourselves in. Then - once it's all over - we'll have a unique social record of the coronavirus crisis from the perspective of women. To kick it all off, Jenni speaks to mum of two, Mercy Haruna. Why do we choose the clothes we do? In her new book, ‘Dress Your Best Life’, the American fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen explains how our clothing is the ‘connective tissue’ between the physical and emotional. She joins Jenni to discuss how our clothes do the talking.A lot of people suddenly have extra time on their hands, either from the lack of a commute because they're now working from home, the loss of a social life or from not being able to work at all. So once you've cast a critical eye over your bookshelf and binged on box-sets, why not take up that hobby you've always meant to start - or indeed return to. Jenni asks nature writer Emma Mitchell, journalist Almara Abgarian and Woman’s Hour listener Rhiannon Jenkins for their top picks of activities that can be easily accessed - from learning a language, to mastering macrame and drawing a leaf.Presenter - Jenni Murray Producer - Anna Lacey Guest - Dr Jenny Harries Guest - Mercy Haruna Guest - Dawnn Karen Guest - Emma Mitchell Guest - Almara Abgarian Guest - Rhiannon Jenkins

More money has been made available across the UK to help rough sleepers during the Covid-19 pandemic. But is enough being done to help the thousands of women and children who are in temporary accommodation? What’s being done to protect the thousands of “hidden homeless” who find themselves in B&B’s. Jenni speaks to Tina who is “sofa-surfing” with her 5 year old daughter, and to Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter and Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, CEO of The Wallich, a homelessness charity in Wales about the particular difficulties women find themselves in.Set in 1950s London, Louise Hare talks about her debut novel, This Lovely City about the Windrush generation.How can parents help their children navigate the constant stream of information about Covid-19 online? And how can children learn to spot useful fact from dangerous fiction? Sonia Livingstone is a professor of social psychology at the London School of Economics and an expert in digital literacy in children, and Dr Radha Modgil is a GP who discusses how to reduce anxiety and keep trust alive in an era of non-expert influencers and fake news. Presenter; Jenni Murray Producer: Dianne McGregor

It’s the beginning of spring, and in more recent years, gardening is being seen as a therapeutic form of self-care. But for women of colour, planting is becoming a popular way to establish ownership and celebrate cultural heritage. Aimée Grant Cumberbatch is the founder of Grown, a gardening club for women of colour. Flo Headlam has been gardening professionally since 2012, and in 2017 she became BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World’s first black presenter.Five years ago chef, Nicole Pisani gave up cheffing in a top London restaurant to make school dinners. Now working in Hackney she joins Jane with executive headteacher, Louise Nichols, who runs three schools in the borough. They tell Jane why have they set up a Free School Dinners campaign and their hopes to see it expand whilst schools are closed.“Stay at home, save lives”, but is the message getting through and are other messages people are getting confusing it? The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England have been widely praised for keeping it clear, concise and comprehensible. Is there anything that men can learn from women about crisis communications? Dr Camilla Pang was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of eight. She struggled to understand the world around her. Now aged 26, and with a PhD in biochemistry, Camilla has used her specialist scientific knowledge to examine society’s obscure customs, the strangeness of social norms and identify what it really means to be human in her new book, 'Explaining Humans' .Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Louise Nichols Interviewed Guest: Nicole Pisani Interviewed Guest: Anne McElvoy Interviewed Guest: Helen Lewis Interviewed Guest: Dr Camilla Pang Interviewed Guest: Aimée Grant Cumberbatch Interviewed Guest: Flo Headlam

After school closures across the UK many parents will be at home trying to support their children do some school work whilst also working from home and 'social distancing' themselves. Are there lessons to be learned from those who already home educate?Ten organisations across the UK including Rape Crisis and Ending Violence Against Women have issued a joint statement about the impact of Covid 19could have on the lives on women and children. Recent reports from China and Italy show an increase in domestic violence since the pandemic began. One Chinese province said reporting had increased threefold. Jane talks to Lucy Hadley Campaigns and Policy Manager for Women’s Aid about what action they would like to see taken. We hear the story of Goli, an Afghan born refugee who used to live in Iran but is now settled in Denmark with her younger daughter Baran, now featured in Girl Taken, a Radio 4 series and podcast. In this Woman's Hour interview Goli talks about how her older daughter Bru came to be separated from her and the extraordinary lengths she has taken to see her again.And with people reporting low stocks of nappies, sanitary products and other regular household items on supermarket shelves, we take a look at what reusable alternatives are available. Is this the time for cloth nappies to make a comeback? What about reusable sanitary protection? And what can vinegar, bicarb and beeswax do for you in the kitchen? Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Beverley Purcell

Glenda Jackson tells us about her latest work playing the poet, writer and critic Edith Sitwell and what books she would recommend during a period of isolation.The Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd discusses why women need to be more involved in Covid 19 decision making with Caroline Criado Perez author of Invisible Women and Simone Schnall from Jesus College Cambridge.The curator, writer and lecturer Bolanle Tajudeen tells us how black feminism has influenced the work of black female fine artists.Last week’s budget saw a series of big public spending and investment projects announced, focusing on physical infrastructure. But what about social infrastructure? Diane Elson of the Women’s Budget Group and Caroline Abrahams of Age UK discuss.The Scottish Government is currently consulting on a Bill to reform the Gender Recognition act – should transgender people be allowed to self-declare their gender or should it be a medicalised process? Rhona Hotchkiss a former governor of Cornton Vale prison in Stirling and James Morten of the Scottish Trans Alliance discuss Why do some children have such ferocious tantrums and how should you as a parent deal with it? We hear from Emily Jones a Professor of infant neurodevelopment and autism at the Birkbeck Babylab.Presented by: Jane Garvey Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Lucinda Montefiore

Tantrums are an inevitable part of living with a toddler. But with the prospect of weeks or even months of families cooped up together ahead of us, how can parents keep meltdowns (by toddlers and themselves!) to a minimum? Emily Jones is a professor of infant neurodevelopment and autism at the Birkbeck Babylab and she tells Jane what’s happening when a child has a tantrum, when and how to intervene, and gives top tips for parents trying to cope.Earlier this week, the former cabinet minister Amber Rudd tweeted “During Gov briefings am I the only one thinking ‘where are all the women?’ Why are there no senior women in the “war cabinet” or used to convey those critical messages? Equality means better decisions. Don’t pack the women away during a crisis.” Many were quick to reply that this was no time for quotas and that ability matters more than equality. But what are the problems with not including the different perspectives and lived experiences of women in decision making? We hear from former Conservative cabinet minister, Amber Rudd, Caroline Criado-Perez, the author of ‘Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men’ and Simone Schnall, Reader in Experimental Social Psychology and Director of Studies in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge.To mark the Spring Equinox, Radio 4 is broadcasting readings of seasonal poetry. Today we have poetry from the award-winning Welsh poet and playwright, Menna Elfyn.Mothers' Day can be a difficult time for some people, Robyn Donaldson and Emma Hopkinson tell us why they started Others' Day. Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Amber Rudd Interviewed Guest: Caroline Criado-Perez Interviewed Guest: Simone Schnall Interviewed Guest: Professor Emily Jones Interviewed Guest: Menna Elfyn Interviewed Guest: Emma Hopkinson Interviewed Guest: Robyn Donaldson

The Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson has confirmed that all schools will close in England and Wales and there’ll be no GCSE or A Level exams this summer. How are schools and pupils proposing to cope? Ruby is a 17-year old pupil in Somerset, due to take her A levels shortly. Charlie is 25 and is doing an access course to be a paramedic. It involves cramming 2 years of A-levels into 1 year. Carolyn Roberts is the Head Teacher at Thomas Tallis School in South London. A legal challenge over alleged changes to Crown Prosecution Service policy on bringing charges in rape cases was dismissed by the high court this week. The Centre for Women’s Justice brought the case on behalf of the End Violence Against Women Coalition following concerns over steep falls in rape charges and convictions in recent years - at a time when an increasing number of women have been making rape complaints to police. Human rights lawyer, Harriet Wistrich, clarifies why the case was brought and someone we are calling Olivia explains why she wanted her case to be one of the 21 cases included as evidence.The writer Sali Hughes has been talking to women about objects in their lives that are important to them. The things we cherish aren’t always vintage, or even antique - or even expensive. The TV presenter and chef Andi Oliver talks about a one-of-a-kind blanket knitted by her mother.And in today’s family secret is that of a woman we are calling ‘H’ whose whole life has been shaped by the sense that there was something she wasn’t being told. Finding out the truth at the age of 17 at a family party and the realisation that everyone else in the family knew all along made her ill. H tells Jo Morris her story.

In the latest in our series of Family Secrets a listener called Helen got in touch to tell us about the discovery she made after the death of her mother and the suicide pact she kept quiet about for nearly forty years. Last week’s budget saw a series of big public spending and investment projects announced. These focused on physical infrastructure. But what of social infrastructure – the investment in people who staff social care and the support for women in and out of work as the country faces the enormous challenge of Covid 19. Jenni speaks to Professor Diane Elson of the Women’s Budget Group and Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director of Age UK.Curator, writer and lecturer Bolanle Tajudeen is the founder of Black Blossoms, a platform dedicated to spotlighting black women and black non-binary visual artists. Jenni met Bolanle recently at the Women of the World 10th anniversary festival. How has black feminism influenced the work of black female fine art artists and why do they struggle to get a platform for their work.Diana Nammi grew up in the Kurdish region of Iran in the 1960s and 1970s, playing her own part in the revolution of 1979. At the age of 17, under the new Islamic regime, she became a Pershmerga, Kurdish fighter. Twelve years on the frontline, she discusses her book ‘Girl with a Gun’.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Carolyn Abrahams Interviewed Guest: Diane Elson Interviewed Guest: Bolanle Tajudeen Reporter: Jo Morris Interviewed Guest: Diana Nammi

We consider the latest advice for pregnant women when it comes to coronavirus. Jane speaks to Jess Brammer, editor in chief HuffPost UK, who is currently on maternity leave and Dr Mary Ross-Davie - Director for Scotland, Royal College of Midwives. And in other coronavirus news: many offices, shops, bars, restaurants, schools, are likely to close. Many workers and businesses will see their income collapse, almost overnight. So what if you are laid off? What if you are self-employed? What financial decisions should you be making? What support could you be entitled to?Glenda Jackson plays the poet, writer and critic Edith Sitwell in Radio 4 drama Edith Sitwell in Scarborough. She joins Jane to discuss Edith, as well as being on grandma duty and what books she would recommend during a period of isolation. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on a Bill to reform the Gender Recognition Act. Jane talks to Rhona Hotchkiss, former governor of Cornton Vale prison in Stirling and signatory of SNP women’s pledge and James Morton, Manager of the Scottish Trans Alliance about concerns for protecting trans rights and women’s rights and how any Scottish legislation will sit with the UK Equality Act 2010. Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Dr Mary Ross-Davie Interviewed guest: Jess Brammer Interviewed guest: Jasmine Birtles Interviewed guest: Glenda Jackson Interviewed guest: Rhona Hotchkiss Interviewed guest: James Morton Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Jane Garvey takes your calls on Covid-19. Joined by Psychologist Laverne Antrobus and Sarah Stewart Brown Professor of Public Health at Warwick University .What measures are you putting in place? How will you manage with young as well as older children, do you face particular problems with those that have special needs. What about work ? If you are someone who can work at home do you have the tech to support that.Have you thought about setting up a local neighbourhood support network? What provisions are you putting in place for older relatives? How do you think you will cope with being socially isolated ? If you’re in cramped accommodation or shared housing, how do you see that working out.What about the financial implications - if you’re on low income or a zero hours contract and perhaps rely on things like free school meals We'd love to hear your thoughts. Lines open at 8am on Monday morning 03700 100 444. You can email via the website or tweet your comments @bbcwomanshour now.Presenter Jane Garvey Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Prof Sarah Stewart Brown Guest; Lavern Antrobus

We hear from the singer turned interviewer Jessie Ware and her mum Lennie about their hit podcast Table Manners, where they cook dinner for a different celebrity every week. They’ve turned their favourite recipes into a cook book. Black Women and sexual violence. What are the cultural barriers making it difficult for black women to discuss and disclose sexual violence? And what is cultural betrayal theory?Chief Foreign correspondent Christina Lamb tells us about her new book ‘Our Bodies Their Battlefield'. And we talk about the signficance of Women’s History Month with Professor Selina Todd and Professor Krista Cowman.Presenter Jane Garvey. Producer Siobhann TigheInterviewed guests: Jessie Ware Lennie Ware Christina Lamb Leanne Levers Jennifer Gómez Selina Todd Krista Cowman

Over the past few years we have seen a number of high profile men being publically accused of sexual abuse and assault. It’s become a pinnacle aspect of the #MeToo movement. So why is the act of speaking out still met with so much resentment? Why is it so difficult to criticise male celebrities who have large followings? And how much more complex does this issue become when it intersects with race? Jacqueline Springer is a contemporary black music and culture journalist and lecturer. Leanne Levers has a PhD in politics and international studies, focusing on sexual violence and justice reform in minority communities. Jennifer M. Gómez is an Assistant Professor for the Department of Psychology at Wayne State University in Michigan.How do you prepare your family in the event of a coronavirus lockdown? What plans should you make to keep your children entertained if the schools shut and they are stuck at home, how can you make home working work for you and how can you stop petty arguments with your partner or loved ones if you’re stuck in each other’s company for an indefinite period of time? Beverly Ramsey is living in Parma in Italy and tells us about the realities of coping with three children in a city in lockdown and Laverne Antrobus a Consultant Child and Educational Psychologist offers advice on we can best deal with this unusual situation.On Sunday it was International Women’s Day and one of the events to mark the occasion took place at the Roundhouse in North London. It was part of the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival and featured an all female line up including Jehenny Beth on going solo and her relationship with PJ Harvey.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Jacqueline Springer Interviewed guest: Leanne Levers Interviewed guest: Jennifer M. Gomez Interviewed guest: Beverly Ramsey Interviewed guest: Laverne Antrobus Interviewed guest: Jehenny Beth Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed

Jessie and Lennie Ware on their relationship since making their Table Manners podcast

BBC Young Reporter Competition is in its second year. More than 2000 young people suggested an original story idea that they wanted the BBC to report on and it was Kay from Bristol who won gold this year. She's 19 now but when she was 12 she was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. She's now volunteering at a hospital and it's been life-changing. Our reporter Ena Miller met Kay and her mum, Eileen, at home in Bristol.March is a big month for women. We have International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, but that gets less attention. Why? Jenni talks to two historians, Professor Selina Todd and Professor Krista Cowman, about it's importance and significance.Leftover Women is an unflattering term used in China to describe women who aren't married. China has 30 million more men than women, leaving single women under pressure to marry quickly or risk being rejected by society. Jenni hears from Shosh Shlam, writer and co-director of the film Leftover Women, and Qui Hua Mei who's a lawyer.Lost is a tale of two siblings living in extreme poverty. It's told through the eyes of Lola. She's a resourceful, brave and loyal teenager who’s desperately trying to find her way home. Jenni talks to the author, Ele Fountain, about what inspired her to write the book and why she hopes it’ll start a conversation about friendship, family and finding a sense of belonging.

We’re celebrating women in music with this special collaboration between Woman’s Hour and BBC 6 Music, recorded at the 6 Music Festival in Camden, North London. Presenter Georgie Rogers goes backstage at the historic Roundhouse venue to speak to some of the brilliant female artists on the line-up about the women that inspire them and their experiences of the music industry. Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes tells Georgie how it feels to call the shots as a solo artist and shares the women that have inspired her in music and in life. Singer Nadine Shah discusses the gender pay gap in music, why there aren’t more women on festival line-ups and why the ticking of her generation’s biological clocks inspired new album Kitchen Sink. We speak to Jehnny Beth of Savages about starting out in the industry and how both David Bowie and her friend PJ Harvey inspired her first solo album. We also hear from composer Anna Meredith and 6 Music presenter and DJ legend Mary Anne Hobbs - who tells us why an event like the 6 Music Festival’s all-female line-up for International Women’s Day is so vital. Sunday’s bill at the Roundhouse saw Nadine, Jehnny and Anna perform alongside Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and poet, playwright and rapper Kate Tempest. The BBC 6 Music Festival took over Camden for three days of live music, DJ sets and talks with artists from Bombay Bicycle Club to Paul Weller, Hot 8 Brass Band to Roisin Murphy. You can hear highlights on BBC Sounds and watch some of the best performances on the BBC iPlayer and the 6 Music website. All music featured in this podcast was recorded live at the 6 Music Festival and broadcast on BBC 6 Music. Presenter: Georgie Rogers Guest: Brittany Howard Guest: Jehnny Beth Guest: Nadine Shah Guest: Anna Meredith Guest: Mary Anne Hobbs Producer: Sarah Jane Griffiths Editor: Karen Dalziel

If you are man and own a cat, you are a man with a cat. If you are a woman with one, you are a crazy cat lady. Recently the term crazy cat lady has been reclaimed in a positive way on social media but many say it is a pejorative term used against women who break from tradition. Alice Maddicott is the author of Cat Women and writer Kat Brown has two cats, Ambridge and Genevieve and has written about the support they gave her during fertility treatment. Next week 114 new QCs will receive their silks at a ceremony in front of the Lord Chancellor at Westminster Hall. Of those 114 just 30 are women. So what’s holding women back? A children’s nurse on the edge of physical and mental collapse is at the centre of a new novel Rest And Be Thankful. The author, Emma Glass is a paediatric nurse herself so she knows all about hands red raw from washing and how to support grieving parents so why did she decide to write a novel using her experiences? Rough sex is sometimes used as a defence in court cases involving sexual violence. The government says it’s going to look at these rough sex laws as part of the Domestic Abuse Bill, which had its First Reading in the House of Commons last week. Parliament being prorogued and then the election in December delayed the progress of the Bill. To get the latest on the Bill is the MP and Mother of the House, Harriet Harman.Presenter: Jenni Murray Interviewed guest: Alice Maddicott author of Cat Women Interviewed guest: Writer Kat Brown Interviewed guest: Sian Mirchandani QC from 4 New Square Interviewed guest: Rebecca Tuck from Old Square Chambers Interviewed guest: Author Emma Glass Interviewed guest: MP Harriet Harman Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Friendship can be one of the most powerful and important aspects of any woman’s life. We explore what sisterhood means to different women at different points in their lives. Kelechi Okafor, Danielle Dash and Seyi Akiwowo all met online. They all have large social media followings and talk about the importance of digital sisterhood.Foreign correspondent Christina Lamb has reported on wars for over thirty years. She has now written a major book, Our Bodies Their Battlefield, exposing how in modern warfare, rape and sexual violence are used to humiliate, terrify and carry out ethnic cleansing.Last week saw the launch of the Black Swimming Association, which aims to turn around the fact that 95% of black adults and 80% of black children in England do not swim. It’s a trend echoed more widely in the UK – with Swim England reporting that almost a quarter of all children leave primary school without being about to swim 25 metres. So what are the barriers to learning to swim? And how can they be overcome? Jane speaks to Carina White from Dope Black Mums and Ali Beckman, the technical director and lead teacher of the swim school, Puddleducks.

Popstar turned podcaster Jessie Ware and her mum Lennie Ware discuss working together in their hit podcast Table Manners where they cook dinner for a different celebrity every week. Should racing be doing more to celebrate the fact that it is one of the few sports where men and women compete in the same events? We speak to Jockey Lizzie Kelly - the first woman to win a Grade One race in Britain and now holder of two Grade Ones and two Cheltenham Festival winners. As Cheltenham starts again this year she joins us to discuss Just Jockeys, a campaign by Great British Racing. It was International Women's Day yesterday and one of the events to mark the occasion took place at the Roundhouse in North London. Part of the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival it featured an all female line up. Nadine Shah began yesterday's performance. She spoke to reporter Georgie Rogers. Thirty years ago saw the publication of The Beauty Myth. In it, the author, Naomi Wolf argued that the pressure to be beautiful was what she described as ‘a cultural conspiracy’ and ‘the last, best belief system that keeps male dominance intact What, we ask, has changed three decades on?Presenter: Jenni Murray Interviewed guest: Jessie Ware Interviewed guest: Lennie Ware Interviewed guest: Lizzie Kelly Interviewed guest: Nadine Shah Interviewed guest: Naomi Wolf Reporter: Georgie Rogers Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

The power of crying - Keith Brymer-Jones, one of the judges on the Great Pottery Throw Down, the psychoanalyst and psychotherapist Susie Orbach, and voice coach Joanna Cross discuss.Kathryn Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space, was an astronaut in the team that launched the Hubble Space Telescope in 1990. After mastectomies the aim is to make breasts look and feel as they did before but sensitivity tends to suffer. Sarafina Nance is leading a campaign to increase understanding of sensitivity and talks about an experimental nerve-preserving procedure she received in the USA last year. We also hear from the breast surgeon Dr Ayesha Khan on treatments available in the UK. Composer Emily Hall on the inspiration behind her piece for the Seven Ages of Women, a new commission by Radio 3 to mark International Women’s Day. Coronavirus – how do you reassure children when everyone is talking about it, and how can they best protect themselves? We hear from Professor Trudie Lang, Director of the Global Health Network at the University of Oxford and Emma Citron, consultant clinical psychologist. Vogue Williams, TV presenter and Instagram influencer on the rise of parent shaming. Celebrating 10 years of the Women of the World Festival - two young activists Eunice Mwende and Dajanaa 'Dexi' Stosic on working to empower young girls and women in Kenya and Serbia. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Dianne McGregor

Jenni Murray presents Woman’s Hour live from the Southbank Centre in London where the Women of the World Festival will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this weekend. Founded by Jude Kelly a decade ago, Jenni will be speaking to her about what inspired her to create an organisation that has involved two million people in 30 locations on six continents. What have been her stand out moments and where does the conversation need to go now?Initially offered for free following an Instagram challenge, #MeAndWhiteSupremacy is set across 28 days, with each day focusing on a different manifestation of white supremacy, including white privilege, cultural appropriation and tokenism. The workbook was downloaded by nearly ninety thousand people around the world in the space of six months, and is now a book. The woman behind the challenge, Layla Saad, joins Jenni to talk about why she’s passionate about helping people answer the question ‘how can I be a better ally to people of colour?’ Journalist and author, Yomi Adegoke joins them.We’ll hear from Eunice Mwende and Dajanaa 'Dexi' Stosic, two young activists working to empower young girls and women in Kenya and Serbia, two winners from 'With and For Girls,' who recognise girl-led and girl-centred groups and organisations around the world through an annual awards process.Jenni is joined by intimacy co-ordinator Ita O’Brien and actor Jemima Rooper. Why is a framework for intimate scenes in film, television and the theatre so important? Is it only to protect actors? And how much impact has the #TimesUp movement had since it started in January 2018?And Pretty Loud is the first Roma girl band. Traditionally, Roma women are homemakers, encouraged to leave school early and marry young. Blending rap and hip hop with their traditional Roma music, Pretty Loud are passionate about putting an end to stereotypes about both Roma people and women through their lyrics. They’ll be performing live from the Southbank Centre.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Jude Kelly Interviewed Guest: Layla F Saad Interviewed Guest: Yomi Adegoke Interviewed Guest: Eunice Mwende Interviewed Guest: Dajanaa 'Dexi' Stosic Interviewed Guest: Jemima Rooper Interviewed Guest: Ita O’Brien Interviewed Guest: Silvia Sinani Interviewed Guest: Zlata Ristic Interviewed Guest: Kristina Mustafic Interviewed Guest: Emina Uka Interviewed Guest: Zivka Ferhatovic Interviewed Guest: Dijana Ferhatovic

Reducing anxiety in children, and helping them protect themselves and others.

We hear about the impetus to chronicle the civil rights struggle in 1960s Mississippi from photographer Doris Derby Women will be disproportionally affected by climate change. But they’re also at the forefront of campaigning against it. One of the most famous, Greta Thunberg, was in Bristol last week addressing crowds of young people. But have things changed since her first school strike in 2018? According to a new book, ‘Our House is on Fire – Scenes of a Family and a Planet in Crisis’, they are but not nearly fast enough. What might motivate governments and people to truly act? Composer Emily Hall will be telling us about the inspiration behind her piece for the Seven Ages of Women a new commission by Radio 3 to mark International Women’s Day on Sunday. And we look at the huge success of TikTok the free social media app where users create, share and watch videos and ask; Why is it so popular among teenagers? Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Doris Derby Guest; Emily Hall Guest; Professor Alice Larkin Guest; Dr Alexa Spence Guest; Sarah Manavis Guest; Elizabeth Wosho

Abi Dare has written a novel about house girls in Nigeria. It's called The Girl with the Louding Voice. The main character is Adunni who's 14 and has been sold into domestic servitude. She becomes a victim of rape, abuse and poverty but more than anything, she wants an education.Coronavirus is dominating the news. There's a risk that the TV, radio, and social media coverage can be scary for children. So how do we reassure them, and how do we get the message across that what they do can protect themselves as well as others?After mastectomies the aim is to make breasts look and feel as they did before but sensitivity tends to suffer. We hear about the changes women can expect and what treatments are available for women here in the UK from London breast surgeon, Dr Ayesha Khan. We also go to California to hear from Sarafina Nance who's an astrophysics PhD student in the US. She's leading a campaign to increase understanding of sensitivity and what can help. She talks to Jenni about an experimental nerve-preserving procedure she herself received in the US last year. Women Beware Women is a Jacobean revenge drama about patriarchy, predation and the manipulation of young women. It's on in London and seems very relevant to our #MeToo era. The play features Tara Fitzgerald. She comes into the studio to discuss whether her character, Livia, is just a comical minx or a woman who both controls and destroys lives?

Kathryn Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space, was an astronaut in the team that launched the Hubble Space Telescope on April 25th, 1990. She joins Jane to talk about her experience of being a female astronaut in the '90s, and maintaining and repairing the most productive observatory in history.The UK government is a world-leading investor in research on the prevention of violence against women and girls. Between 2013 and 2019 it has invested £25 million in pilots across 12 countries in Africa and Asia to research ways to prevent it in different contexts – the largest ever study of its kind. ‘What works to prevent violence against women and girls?’ has focused on producing rigorous evidence on a global scale for the first time that can be shared with other governments, donors and civil society organisations to encourage more effective global action. Many of those experts and organisations involved in the research in Africa are meeting in London today to reflect on their findings. Jane talks to a few of those involved about their research, their recommendations and what they hope will happen next.Vogue Williams, TV presenter and influencer talks about being a parent in the public eye and parent shaming. Vogue is married to Spencer Matthews who she met on a reality TV series and they have a one-year old son, Theodore. Where does Vogue draw the line between a willingness to share her family life and standing up for herself if she is judged for her parenting decisions? How much is parent shaming here to stay? Romy Gill’s new book 'Zaika’ celebrates vegan recipes from India. She joins Jane in the studio to cook the perfect Spicy Chickpeas.Presenter - Jane Garvey Producer - Anna Lacey Guest - Kathryn Sullivan Guest - Prabu Deepen Guest - Jessica Horn Guest - Charlotte Watts Guest - Vogue Williams Guest - Romy Gill

Hadley Freeman has written a memoir, House of Glass, the story of her Jewish relatives across the 20th century, her grandmother and great uncles who fled Poland for Paris after the anti-Jewish pogroms in 1918. We discuss the pros and cons of crying particularly if you're in public. What's it like trying to stay in touch with your children when you're in prison? And what happens when you're on the outside again? Jane talks to Kelly who is in a documentary about women in prison, and to the governor of the prison, HMP Foston Hall in Derbyshire.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Hadley Freeman Interviewed guest: Keith Brymer-Jones Interviewed guest: Susie Orbach Interviewed guest: Joanna Crosse Interviewed guest: Kelly Interviewed guest: Andrea Black Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

On Monday, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of committing a criminal sexual act and third degree rape - and could go to jail for over 20 years. He was acquitted of two counts of predatory sexual assault. While some are celebrating the verdict as the start of a new era and a sign of changing public attitudes towards sexual assault, Weinstein's lead attorney Donna Rotunno promised to appeal, saying "the fight is not over". So what does the ruling mean for women?The man booker prize winning author Anne Enright discusses her new novel Actress, her fascination with strong love between mothers and daughters, and the parallels between her own life and her heroine’s.An estimated 1.24 million people are affected by eating disorders in the UK yet the treatment and diagnosis is still comparatively misunderstood. A new research programme launched this week will examine the genetic element of eating disorders and how this interacts with environmental factors.Childhood cancer is thankfully rare and the past few decades have seen dramatic improvements in the outlook for children diagnosed with the disease; today more than three-quarters survive. We hear from three mothers – Sam, June and Jenny - whose children were diagnosed. How did they cope day to day watching their offspring struggle through endless treatment? How does it impact the rest of the family? And how has the experience affected their response to the world around them?A young Muslim woman, Noor Inayat-Khan was many things: a dutiful daughter, a musician, an artist, a poet fluent in several languages and a published writer. Later, she was a vital part of the fight against Nazism, as a wireless telephonist in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She sacrificed her life for the cause of freedom and now a new interactive exhibition is keeping her story alive. Lynelle Howson, an historian at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission tells us about her life and work.Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Rosie Stopher Editor Karen Dalziel

Helen Lewis discusses her new book ‘Difficult Women: a history of feminism in 11 fights’ and why she believes that today’s feminists could gain from being more generous to the feminists of previous generations.A new Care Quality Commission report says that in a three month period in 2018, 899 sexual incidents or incidents of alleged sexual abuse were reported that took place in adult social care services such as residential and nursing homes. Elderly women were the ones most at risk. Jenni is joined by Veronica Gray, deputy CEO for Action On Elder Abuse to discuss their concerns.Dorka Herner studied psychology at university before becoming a TV journalist in Hungary. After having five children, she decided to change career and write a book ‘Inspired Parenting’ about what she had learnt as a mother. How do you become a more patient parent? How do you share attention between all of your children? And, what are the most common flashpoints in a crowded house? In 1960, a Guardian article on the isolation of mothers in suburbia sparked a network of women to meet up. There was only one rule: no talking about children or housework. The National Women’s Register as it’s become known is still going strong with members all over the country. Jenni talks to its national organiser Natalie Punter and to one of its trustees Jo Thompson, who’s a member of her local group in Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, about how the organisation and its groups have changed over the years.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth Watts