Woman's Hour

As we move to ease lockdown restrictions in this country, and look ahead to the “new normal”, there are a large number of people who are still very much in lockdown. Many people with medical conditions that make them “extremely clinically vulnerable” to COVID-19 are “shielding” for a minimum of 12 weeks. Shielding means staying in your home and not leaving for any reason, not even for exercise or to get food. How are disabled women finding this experience, and are they getting the support they need? Katie Pennick is a disability activist and journalist. She spoke to three other disabled women – Fi Anderson, Sarabajaya Kumar and Amy Kavanagh - to see how they have been affected. The next in our series celebrating the women who get things done – the Troupers. They are very bad at blowing their own trumpets so we are doing it for them. Mairi MacLean was born in the village of Morar in the Scottish Highlands. She has been campaigning for years to provide somewhere to play for the local children. Her friend Alison Stewart is keen she gets recognition for her efforts. And the rape and murder of a 22 year old microbiology student in a church in Benin City Nigeria has caused outrage across the country. Uwaila Omozuwa, who was using the church as a quiet place to study, was rushed to hospital after the attack but died last Saturday. A march protesting her death took place in Benin on Monday and #JusticeforUwa has been trending on Twitter. Amnesty International says that Nigeria government’s response to rape continues to be woefully inadequate. So what needs to be done to prevent sexual violence against women in the country? Jenni is joined by Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International in Nigeria.

While the world has gone into lockdown and economies have crashed, one type of business has been seeing double-digit growth – direct selling. Independent consultants for big names such as Body Shop at Home, Forever Living, Avon, Usborne Books at Home and Arbonne have been reporting huge increases in sales and recruitment in response to regular shops closing their doors. But while proponents of ‘multi-level marketing’ or ‘direct to consumer’ selling say it provides an opportunity for women to earn money on their own terms, critics say that the business model sits precariously close to being a pyramid scheme. So what do women need to know? Jenni talks to Susannah Schofield, the DG of the Direct Selling Association; Hannah Martin of the Talented Ladies Club; and Clare from Hertfordshire, who talks about her experience of working in the industry.Meg Learmonth was just 18 when she was appointed drummer for the Stormzy collaborator Mura Masa. She describes how drumming was “love at first hit”, the tale behind her broken foot, touring before lockdown and her part in a 21 day drumming marathon to raise money for the NHS. Meg's 12 hour drumming shift is being streamed this Thursday, 4th June. What is it like coping with lockdown while living with an eating disorder? For today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, listener Jennie talks about her experience – including how being forced to stay at home has led to her making positive steps towards recovery.The Other One is new comedy on BBC1. It’s all about a girl called Catherine Walcott. And another girl called Catherine Walcott. Half-sisters who had no idea the other existed until their father died. Jenni talks to its creator Holly Walsh and one of the stars taking on the role of Catherine - Ellie White.Presented by Jenni Murray Produced by Jane ThurlowInterviewed guest: Susannah Schofield Interviewed guest: Hannah Martin Interviewed guest: Meg Learmonth Interviewed guest: Holly Walsh Interviewed guest: Ellie White

The US has been convulsed by nationwide protests over the death of an African-American man in police custody. George Floyd, 46, died after being arrested by police outside a shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota. But what are black parents here saying to their youngsters about some of the images coming from America, such as the arrest footage itself, then the violent demonstrations and the angry confrontations between protesters and the police? And how does what happens there relate to how things are here?Could Neanderthal genes be influencing the fertility of modern humans? New research shows that one in three women in Europe have inherited sections of Neanderthal DNA that make them have fewer bleedings during pregnancy, fewer miscarriages and give birth to more children. Dr Hugo Zeberg from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany explains what it might mean for future fertility research.How are attitudes towards dating changing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic? Has it changed how people feel about meeting prospective partners in real life? And now couples can meet for physically distanced dating, how confident will people feel about getting physically intimate once restrictions are lifted further? Zoe Strimpel is the author of Seeking Love in Modern Britain: Gender, Dating and the Rise of ‘the Single’. Oloni is a sex and relationships content creator. Coronavirus has made visible an often forgotten group of people – volunteers. Thousands have signed up to help the NHS, local residents’ groups have got together to help those who can’t get to the shops, or to call people who might be experiencing severe isolation. Before lockdown, Woman’s Hour began interviewing women who volunteered in all sorts of areas – from community cafes to food banks and working with the homeless. They're women who see a gap or a problem to be solved, and just get on with it – Troupers. They told their stories to Laura Thomas. Today it’s the turn of Sandy Collver, a volunteer nurse with St Johns Ambulance Sussex Homeless Service.

More from our series that celebrates the women who get things done – the Troupers. They're very bad at blowing their own trumpets so we're doing it for them. Today we hear from Annie Taylor and Wendy Robinson the founders of the Profanity Embroidery Group in Whitstable.After building up credit card debt of £25,000 Clare Seal decided she had to do something drastic to deal with it. She set up an Instagram account to make herself accountable. Posting anonymously she shared her story and offered advice and solidarity to a growing community of people. She’s now written a book with tips and advice for others in a similar situation. It’s called Real Life Money: an honest guide to taking control of your finances Plus two midwives from Kent Kent midwives - Sally Sidhu and Jan Gatehouse - who've just an award for their work on promoting colostrum tell Jane all about the benefits of so called "liquid gold" especially for premature babies. And as some children in England return to school how do you deal with a child who still needs to be shielded. Presenter Jane Garvey Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Annie Taylor Guest; Wendy Robinson Guest; Clare Seal Guest; Sally Sidhu Guest; Jan Gatehouse

An editorial in the British Medical Journal reported that one in five harmful and dependent drinkers got the help they needed, and now the proportion will be lower. How do you cope with an alcohol problem under lockdown? We hear the experience of a listener, the journalist Catherine Renton who has been sober for over 3 years, and from Julia Sinclair, professor of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Southampton and consultant in alcohol addiction. She’s also chair of the Royal College of Psychiatry’s addiction faculty.It is fifty years since the Equal Pay Act became law. However, it’s proved tricky over the years for women to find out what their male comparators were earning. It’s also proved tricky for women without financial and legal support to use the law. However, cases have been brought over the years and as the law has been strengthened. Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of the TUC and Jane Hannon, Employment partner at the law firm DLA Piper discuss. The writer Michele Roberts discusses her memoir Negative Capability - written after the rejection of a novel by her publisher caused hurt and depression. Lizzie tells her story of giving birth during lockdown. We also hear from the obstetrician Dr Kenga Sivarajah.Council cuts have meant that there are 50% fewer public toilets than a decade ago. Coronavirus has caused even more closures – albeit temporarily. But where does that leave people who need urgent access to the loo? Jo Umbers from the Bladder and Bowel community explains how this issue is affecting women of all ages. Raymond Martin, from the British Toilet Association, discusses the economic and health importance of public toilets in a post-Covid world.Jackie Kay, the National Poet for Scotland, discusses her new online poetry and music festival Makar to Makar, which is streaming via the National Theatre of Scotland's YouTube channel. We also hear poetry from Gerda Stevenson and music from Claire Brown, who are both performing in the festival.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Dianne McGregor

It’s fifty years since the Equal Pay Act became law, though employers were given a couple of years to prepare for the change to take effect. The legislation followed the strike of a group of women machinists at the Ford factory in Dagenham who wanted to be paid just as a man would for doing skilled work. It set out that an individual can claim equal pay for work of equal value. However, it’s proved tricky over the years for women to find out what their male comparators were earning. It’s also proved tricky for women without financial and legal support to use the law. However, cases have been brought over the years and as the law has been strengthened. Last year, Glasgow City Council agreed to pay out a reported £548 million in compensation to thousands of women who were paid less than men working in jobs on the same grade. Jane is joined by Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of the TUC and by Jane Hannon, Employment partner at the law firm DLA Piper Health visiting is one of those professions that most people think is a bit of a non-job. After 40 years in the NHS and 30 as a health visitor, Rachael Hearson tells us why this is not the case. She’s written about her experiences and explains how the role has changed and why it’s needed more now than ever before. Her book is called Handle With Care.Public toilets have been a well-known victim of council cuts, leaving the UK with 50% fewer toilets than a decade ago. Coronavirus has caused even more closures – albeit temporarily. But where does that leave people who need urgent access to the loo? Jo Umbers from the Bladder and Bowel community explains how this issue is affecting women of all ages. Raymond Martin, from the British Toilet Association, discusses the economic and health importance of public toilets in a post-Covid world.Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Karen Dalziel

Last week an editorial in the BMJ reported that before Covid-19 only one in five harmful and dependent drinkers got the help they needed, and now the proportion will be lower. There is concern for those struggling with dependence and those on the brink of dependence. How do you cope with an alcohol problem under lockdown? And what support is out there? We hear the experience of a listener, the journalist Catherine Renton who has been sober for over 3 years and from Julia Sinclair, professor of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Southampton and consultant in alcohol addiction. She’s also chair of the Royal College of Psychiatry’s addiction faculty.Jenny Colgan's latest novel is called Five Hundred Miles From You. It's about a nurse in London and a nurse in the Scottish Highlands. It explores everything they've seen in their careers and whether or not they can help each other.Coronavirus has made visible a group of people who were often invisible – volunteers. Thousands of people signed up to help the NHS as a volunteer. Local residents’ groups have got together to help those who can’t get to the shops, or to call people who might be experiencing severe isolation. Before lockdown, Woman’s Hour began interviewing women who volunteered in all sorts of areas – community cafes, at food banks, working with the homeless. Women who see a gap, or a problem to be solved, and just get on with it – Troopers. They told their stories to Laura Thomas. Today Annie Taylor and Wendy Robinson, the founders of the Profanity Embroidery Group in Whitstable.How do authors cope with the rejection of the books they are writing? Struggling after her latest novel was rejected by publishers Michèle Roberts decided to write down everything that had happened. In the resulting memoir of a year, Negative Capability, Michèle reckons with the hurt and depression caused by the rejection. She rewrites and edits her novel, reconnects with and loses treasured friends, ultimately finding acceptance and understanding.Presented by Jenni Murray Produced by Sarah Crawley Interviewed guest: Catherine Renton Interviewed guest: Julia Sinclair Interviewed guest: Jenny Colgan Interviewed guest: Annie Taylor Interviewed guest: Wendy Robinson Interviewed guest: Michèle Roberts Reporter: Laura Thomas

The UK cleaning sector is worth almost £50bn a year to the country’s economy. It employs more than 900,000 people, mostly women. Right now, many are vulnerable. Some feel they won't be able to stop working if they fall ill or have to self- isolate because they can't afford it. Jenni speaks to Katy, a cleaner. Also Maria Gonzalez who's an employment barrister and Janet Macleod who's a Unite representative Cassa Pancho set up Ballet Black twenty years ago. It's a professional ballet company for Black and Asian dancers, and from the start its aim was to make the dance world more diverse. As well as Cassa, we also talk to Cira Robinson who performed with Stormzy at last year's Glastonbury. Tonight Ballet Black is part of a new BBC TV series called Danceworks.Jackie Kay, the National Poet for Scotland, also known as Makar, discusses her new online poetry and music festival. It's called Makar to Makar and streams via the National Theatre of Scotland's YouTube channel. We also hear from Gerda Stevenson who's a writer, actor, director and singer and is on Jackie's show, plus the singer Claire Brown, who performs a beautiful, traditional Scottish song live.

TROOPERS is a new series of ours starting today. It's about the women in our communities who get things done, and many of them are volunteers. We begin with Margaret Johnson who works as a volunteer at Chester Storyhouse which is a cinema, theatre and library. She runs the Chatter and Natter group.We've got more on the Dominic Cummings situation and his trip to Durham. Katy Balls from the Spectator and Helen Lewis from the Atlantic discuss things said in last night's press conference which might have leapt out for women especially.Following on from yesterday's programme about having a baby during lockdown, today we talk about what postnatal support is there for you. We hear from Linzy Thurlaway who's a midwife, antenatal educator and also runs postnatal and baby massage courses. She founded a Facebook group called Antenatal and Postnatal Education and Support North East. The Sunday Times Rich List 2020 includes a record number of women but it's still only 150 out of 1000 people. The number from BAME backgrounds is even lower. We speak to Annabelle Williams, the author of Why Women Are Poorer Than Men and What We Can Do About It.

We hear from you about what it’s like to be pregnant, give birth and look after a new baby in the Covid-19 lockdown.Antenatal, labour and post-natal care has had to transform in the last two months, in order to combat the virus. Pregnant women are considered a vulnerable group to Covid and are recommended to self-isolate for their third trimester. Routine face-to-face appointments have been reduced and more is being done by phone. The way you give birth may have had to change, and partners can no longer stay on labour wards beyond the birth itself. And of course for new parents, family and friends haven’t been able to visit in person. What has all this meant for you? As well as the challenges, have there been any unexpected upsides? Jane is joined by midwife Leah Hazard and obstetrician Dr Kenga Sivarajah to hear your stories.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Sarah Crawley Interviewed Guest: Leah Hazard Interviewed Guest: Dr Kenga Sivarajah Interviewed Guest: Ibukun Fisher Interviewed Guest: Elsa Rickett-Trueman Interviewed Guest: Laura le Masurier Interviewed Guest: Kate Duncan Interviewed Guest: Lizzie Williams Interviewed Guest: Frankie Eshun

The soprano Laura Wright tells us about her new single released with The Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London to mark Mental Health Awareness week.Baroness Doreen Lawrence discusses why the Labour Party are conducting its own enquiry into why people from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities are more than four times more likely to die as a result of Covid-19 than their white counterparts.Two twenty-somethingsJackie Adedeji and Erin Bradshaw tell us how life has changed for them since the pandemic began.The author Glennon Doyle tells us about her book untamed which explains why we should all listen to and trust the voice deep inside us.Should maternity leave be extended because of the lockdown? The parents of a 6 month old have had more than 200 thousand signatures to a petition asking the government to extend it by three months. We hear from James one of the parents who started the petition and from Cheryl Adams the Executive director of the Institute of Health Visiting on the difficulties faced by new parents at this time.Professor Marion Turner an expert on medieval England tells us why The Plague led to increased wages, greater employment, more migration to towns and, ultimately, to greater independence for women.What makes someone want to go to see the same musical at the theatre time and time again? We hear from documentary maker Mark Dooley about his film, Repeat Attenders – which follows some of musical theatre’s superfans – including Gudrun Mangel a huge fan of Starlight Express.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Lucinda Montefiore

The soprano Laura Wright first came to prominence when she won the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year in 2005 aged just 15. A lover of sport, she’s well known for her performances at huge sporting events from the FA Cup Final, British Grand Prix, Invictus Games and being England Rugby team’s first ever official anthem singer. She tells Jenni how during lockdown she has been using her voice by working with organisations and charities to address the challenges of isolation. To mark Mental Health Awareness week, she’s released a new single with The Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London in aid of charity.Could oestrogen provide some kind of protection against Covid-19? Dr Louise Newson is a GP and menopause specialist. She is working closely with NHS England to see whether women having periods or taking hormonal therapies like the pill and HRT are protected in some way. Covid Symptom Study: https://covid.joinzoe.com/Professor Heather Viles has been awarded the Royal Geographical Society's prestigious Founder's Medal for her excellence in establishing the field of bio-geomorphology - the scientific study of the physical landscape, and how plants and animals help with those process. She joins Jenni to discuss her career: from researching the contribution of acid rain to the deterioration of English cathedrals, to studying black slime growing on rocks at the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles.We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on the global economy. One area that has been hit particularly hard is the fashion industry. What will be the long term impact and how is Coronavirus forcing us to think differently about fashion? Kenya Hunt is the Fashion Director at Grazia UK. Annie Clarke is a merchandise manager.Presenter - Jenni Murray Producer - Clare WalkerGuest - Laura Wright Guest - Dr Louise Newson Guest - Heather Viles Guest - Kenya Hunt Guest - Annie Clarke

Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Labour’s race relations adviser.What will be the long term impact of Covid-19 on women in the workforce? Plus as just over 400 prisoners and more than 500 prison staff in England and Wales have tested positive for the virus, how's the pandemic affected the way prison and probation officers carry out their work. We hear from Anita, who’s a prison officer at a male young offenders institute and Ellen who’s a probation officer in Leicester.And Jenni talks to the best selling author Glennon Doyle who poses the question" Who were you before the world told you who to be?" in her new book "Untamed"Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Baroness Doreen Lawrence Guest; Glennon Doyle Guest; Sam Smethers Guest; Anna Ritchie Allan Guest; Anita Guest; Ellen

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we look at why it’s important to discuss mental health and trauma with young people. The Mental Health Foundation reports that 70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age. Why does this matter and what impact can it have on a child’s progression and adulthood? Ebinehita Iyere is a youth practitioner and works with young people who have experienced trauma or grown up in difficult circumstances. Anneli Roberts is a mental health campaigner and blogger.Could Covid-19 lead to the end of the some girls' right to an education? Room to Read is a global NGO working in 16 countries supporting literacy programmes and girls in secondary education. Sarah Myers Cornaby , Senior Development Director for Europe and Africa says many of the thousands of girls they mentor may never return to school after the pandemic.Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries are creating a unique social record of the thoughts and experiences of women during this extraordinary time. Today listener Polly, who lives in Normandy tells us how her daily online musings help her keep in touch with friends and family back home. The Plague in the 14th century took millions of lives. But those who survived led to increased wages, higher employment, migration to towns and, ultimately, to greater independence for women. Professor Marion Turner teaches at Jesus College, University of Oxford and is an expert on medieval England and argues that pandemics and major unexpected events have had some positive consequences.Presented by Jenni Murray Produced by Jane ThurlowInterviewed guest: Ebinehita Iyere Interviewed guest: Anneli Roberts Interviewed guest: Sarah Myers Cornaby Interviewed guest: Marion Turner

The parents of a six month old have set up a petition asking the government to extend maternity leave by an extra three months. They believe that the lockdown has meant parents have missed out on the usual things you’d do on maternity, putting them at a disadvantage. There’s already been a parliamentary Q&A about this, and the signatures are still coming in. It’s not know yet whether it’ll be debated in the House of Commons but there will be another Q&A session on Thursday this week. Jane discusses the arguments with the petition's originator.After the summer half term holiday, some children will be returning to school. Those in reception and years 1,6, 10 and 12 will be the first to be welcomed back to the classroom in just under two weeks’ time. Many headteachers have begun speaking to parents about their concerns and their likely decision. We discuss the issues that parents are having to weigh up and the pressures that they face. In her new book of short stories ‘The Ministry of Guidance and Other Stories’, Golnoosh Nour shares the rich and varied experiences of queer Iranians. She talks to Jane about how her writing was inspired by interviews with her friends, and how she wanted to depict strong Iranian women to counteract their regular portrayal as victims.Samaritans volunteers have always been there, 24 hours a day, to listen to people in crisis. But how are they coping with the added strain of coronavirus? Listener Anne from Folkestone talks about her experience for today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diary. Even before lockdown, younger people were turning to gardening in their droves – filling their Instagram feeds with beautifully tended houseplants and waxing lyrical about the therapeutic effects. But now we’re all housebound, more people might be tempted to transform their surroundings. But how easy is it to get gardening for the first time? Alice Vincent and Claire Ratinon give us their advice. Alice is a recent convert, she gardens on a balcony in London and her real time gardening audiobook “Seeds from Scratch” comes out this week. Claire Ratinon wouldn’t have thought twice about growing anything until 5 or 6 years ago – but she now specialises in growing food organically in urban spaces and her book “How to grow your dinner without leaving the house” comes out in August.Presenter - Jane Garvey Producer - Anna Lacey Guest - James Zammit-Garcia Guest - Cheryll Adams Guest - Katherine Birbalsingh Guest - Anne Guest - Alice Vincent Guest - Claire Ratinon Guest - Golnoosh Nour

What makes someone want to go to see the same show at the theatre time and time again? We talk to documentary maker Mark Dooley about his film, Repeat Attenders – which follows some of musical theatre’s super-fans – and to Gudrun Mangel who features in the film and has found the confidence to be herself as a huge fan of Starlight Express.Most young people are at low risk of catching or falling seriously ill because of COVID-19 but it’s still having a serious impact. From future job prospects to living arrangements, how is the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown affecting women in their twenties? Jackie Adedeji is 26 and has moved back in with her parents. Erin Bradshaw is 22 and taking her final exams in her third year at university.We are currently living through a time when kindness is very much to the fore, frequently commented on and valued. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to spontaneous, widely recognised and (literally) applauded acts of kindness, from individuals and communities across the UK. From the one million-plus volunteers who signed up to assist the most vulnerable, to the donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) equipment by businesses. Today the Mental Health Foundation are publishing the results of a poll about attitudes to kindness and mental health as part of Mental Health Awareness Week which this year is focusing on the theme of kindness. Lucy Thorpe is their head of policy.Comics are attracting an increasing female readership and is filled with women telling their stories. Trina Robbins is a collector, art historian and one of the pioneering women in the underground comic scene of the late 60s and 70s. She’s the co-creator of a new exhibition ‘Women in Comics: Looking Forward and Back’ in New York. UK Comics Laureate Hannah Berry is undertaking a national survey gathering data to ensure the best representation for comic creators whose voices often aren’t heard. Charlotte Mei is an illustrator whose first narrative comic is being featured in an upcoming publication, featuring an all-female group of artists.Presented by Jane Garvey Produced by Jane ThurlowInterviewed guest: Jackie Adedeji Interviewed guest: Erin Bradshaw Interviewed guest: Mark Dooley Interviewed guest: Gudrun Mangel Interviewed guest: Lucy Thorpe Interviewed guest: Trina Robbins Interviewed guest: Hannah Berry Interviewed guest: Charlotte Mei

How do you manage to create boundaries between work and home during lockdown? Dr Yasin Rofcanin, of the University of Bath’s School of Management discusses his new research exploring how COVID-19 is impacting our understanding of boundaries. We also hear from Chloë Davies, head of PR and Partnerships at myGwork, and Melanie Eusebe, management consultant and chair of the Black British Business Awards.Ida B. Wells was an journalist and campaigner. She's just been honoured with a special Pulitzer Price for her courageous reporting of the violence inflicted on African Americans during the lynching era. Professor Paula J. Giddings, who's written a biography of her, tells us about Ida and all that she achieved.How is lockdown affecting people living with dementia, as well as their carers? Linda Clare, Professor of Clinical Psychology of Ageing and Dementia at the University of Exeter, and Philly Hare, Co-Director of Innovations in Dementia discuss. Nurse and poet Molly Case reads her poem 'Hold Your Pen Torches High'.Listener Nadine tells us how the government advice for over-70s has affected her. Gabrielle Rifkind, psychotherapist and director of the conflict resolution organisation Oxford Process, and Professor Jane Lord, professor of immune cell biology and Director of the Institute of Inflammation & Ageing, University of Birmingham discuss social distancing guidance, and how best to communicate when you see risk differently.Cycling is seeing a huge increase in popularity thanks to people avoiding public transport and wanting to get some exercise. We hear from Krysia Williams from the Bristol Bike Project. Anna Jones has been described as ‘the kind of cook who makes you want to eat vegetarian food even if you're not vegetarian'. She shares some lunchtime ideas. Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Dianne McGregor

At the end of the week when government advice started to ease the lockdown we take stock and look at how relationships between the generations have been affected by social distancing measures and shielding. Woman’s Hour listeners tell us how the government advice for over-70s has affected them. We hear how families have responded and how adult children and parents are negotiating their changed roles. And we discuss how best to communicate when you see risk differently.With Gabrielle Rifkind, Psychotherapist and Director of the conflict resolution organisation Oxford Process, and Professor Jane Lord, Professor of immune cell biology and Director of the Institute of Inflammation & Ageing, University of Birmingham.

Cycling is seeing a huge increase in popularity thanks to people avoiding public transport and wanting to get some exercise. In today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, Krysia Williams talks about the beauty of cycling in lockdown, and how the Bristol Bike Project – where she works – has been supporting key workers in moving around the city. Every year, 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer - and 18,000 of those come from screening. Since lockdown there’s been a 70% drop in GP referrals, according to data from Prevent Breast Cancer. Jenni talks to Lester Barr, consultant breast surgeon and founder and chairman of the Prevent Breast Cancer charity, about why early diagnosis is so important and what women should be doing at the moment if they’re worried. Shelley Klein grew up in the Scottish Borders in a house designed on a modernist open-plan grid; with colourful glass panels set against a forest of trees. Years later Shelley returns to look after her father, Bernat Klein, an uncompromising and ground breaking textile designer who is now in his eighties.. Shelley joins Jenni to talk about intense father daughter relationships, her deep attachment to the house and surrounding landscape and the challenges of returning home to care for an elderly relative. Reported cases of domestic violence in Russia have more than doubled during the country’s coronavirus lockdown, according to the Russian human rights commissioner, She said in a statement last week that complaints and reports made to Russian non-governmental organisations spiked from roughly 6,000 in March to more than 13,000 in April, It’s in stark contrast to what Russian police are saying. Jenni talks to the BBC Russian's women's affairs reporter Nina Nazarova.

Ida B. Wells was an journalist and campaigner. She's just been honoured with a special Pulitzer Price for her courageous reporting of the violence inflicted on African Americans during the lynching era. Professor Paula J. Giddings, who's written a biography of her, tells us about Ida and all that she achieved.We're talking about dementia during lockdown and how challenging it can be for carers. Research carried out by the University of Exeter shows that many people living with dementia, as well as their carers, already felt isolated and lonely before COVID-19 but now these feelings have intensified. Jane speaks to Professor Linda Clare about the research and to Philly Hare who's Co-Director of Innovations in Dementia CIC. They've worked with people who have dementia and have come up with practical tips.Due to COVID-19 midwives all around the world are facing new challenges. We speak to Anneka Knutsson from the UNFPA which works in over 150 countries and also Tania Akter, who's a midwife in a very remote part of Bangladesh. And from today, for people in England, restrictions on exercise have been lifted. Now people can do all kinds of sport including fishing! Beaky Allesch-Taylor joins Jane to talk about why she can’t wait to return to the riverbanks for some fly fishing.

It’s been seven weeks since the UK went into lockdown, and for many women, the lines between work and home life have become blurred on a day-to-day basis. What’s the best way to create boundaries in order to protect your own mental well-being and a sense of routine? Dr Yasin Rofcanin, of the University of Bath’s School of Management, has worked on new research exploring how COVID-19 is impacting our understanding of boundaries. Chloë Davies is the head of PR and Partnerships at myGwork – a business community for LGBT+ professionals. She’s currently working from home with a four and two year old. Melanie Eusebe is a business professor and a Director at Accenture, a management consulting firm.Where The Crawdads Sing, the first novel by Delia Owens, has sold more than 6 million copies. Woman’s Hour listeners have suggested it as a perfect lockdown read. Delia talks to Jane from her home in North Carolina – what does the book have to say about loneliness, resilience and the power of nature? The debate continues about whether or when people who don’t need PPE should wear face masks, and we’ve been talking to women round the world who have dragged out their sewing machines. Khedi is from Chechnya and she now lives in Gdansk. Maria Margaronis spoke to her with the help of a translator and to fellow mask-makers including a Polish psychologist.On Sunday evening the Prime Minister spoke to the country about the way out of lockdown and yesterday his government published its Covid 19 recovery strategy. Many have complained that the message is unclear, that supporting guidance is not yet ready and that too much is left to appeals to common sense – including the discretion of employers. But many are also anxious to get back to work, to support their families and to get their children back into education and childcare safely. But what account has been made of the economic position of women and including them in plans to rebuild the economy? Anneliese Dodds, Shadow Chancellor and MP for Oxford East discusses her concerns about the government’s plans. The teenage years are the ones where young people seek independence. So how is it working out now that they’re cooped up at home with their parents 24/7? In today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, Kate in Cirencester talks about the changing landscape of her relationship with her twin teenage girls, and how they’re trying to establish new boundaries to suit life in lockdown.Presented by Jane Garvey Produced by Sarah Crawley Interviewed guest: Dr Yasin Rofcanin Interviewed guest: Chloë Davies Interviewed guest: Melanie Eusebe Interviewed guest: Delia Owens Interviewed guest: Khedi Interviewed guest: Anneliese Dodds Interviewed guest: Kate Treadaway Reporter: Maria Margaronis

Tomorrow marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. The day's also become International Day of the Nurse. We speak to nurse and poet Molly Case and to Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer in England.Childline has new figures about the number of under 11s wanting help because of the coronavirus lockdown. Jane talks to Laverne Antrobus a Child Psychologist at the Tavistock Clinic and to NSPCC campaigns manager, Helen Westerman.Coronation Street is dealing with the issue of coercive control between husband and wife in one of its storylines. We hear from Shelley King who plays Yasmeen who's the victim, as well as Lindsay Williams who's one of the script writers on Corrie. And she's been described as ‘the kind of cook who makes you want to eat vegetarian food even if you're not vegetarian’. Anna Jones shares some fresh ideas about lockdown lunches and the surprising things we can do with a can of tomato soup. Here's one of her recipes: Caper, herb and egg flatbreads / SERVES 2 AS A LIGHT MEAL200g thick Greek yoghurt 1 unwaxed lemon 2 avocados 2 organic eggs olive oil 2 medium corn or flour tortillas or wraps (about 12 cm) a few sprigs of soft herbs (I use dill and basil, but mint, tarragon, parsley and chives would all work too) 2 tablespoons small capers a few cornichons, roughly chopped 25g freshly grated Parmesan (I used a vegetarian one)First, in a bowl mix the yoghurt with the grated zest and juice of half the lemon, a pinch of sea salt and a good grind of black pepper. Cut the avocados into quarters and remove the stones, then cut each one down to the skin in thin slices. Squeeze over the juice from the remaining lemon half and set aside. Beat the eggs in a little cup with a pinch of salt. It’s best to cook the tortillas one by one. Heat a frying pan big enough to fit your tortilla over a medium heat. Add a tiny splash of olive oil, then add half the egg and let it set into a kind of pancake for 10-15 seconds. Working quickly, place a tortilla on top of the egg; you want the egg still to be a bit runny so that it will attach itself to the tortilla as it sets. When the egg has set, use a spatula to turn the whole thing over, sprinkle over half the herbs, half the capers and cornichons and half the cheese. Cook until the cheese has melted. Repeat this process for the second tortilla. To serve, fold the tortillas in half and top with the yoghurt and slices of the avocado. To make a meal of them, serve with a little lemon-dressed green salad.

The conductor and organist Anna Lapwood tells us how she’s trying to get more girls to take up the organ.Have women leaders handled the global health crisis of Covid-19 better than the men? And, what might explain why? Rosie Campbell, Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership and Professor of Politics at King’s College London, and Clare Wenham, Assistant Professor in Global Health Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science discuss.If lockdown measures are relaxed and children start the process of going back to school how will it work? Are social distancing measures remotely feasible with class sizes of 30? We hear from Dr Emma Kell who trains teachers and works for a pupil referral unit and virologist Professor Jonathan Ball.We look at why the number of women experts used in news programmes across all networks has fallen during the Covid-19 pandemic? Emeritus Professor Lis Howell, who directs the Expert Women Project which records and reports the appearance of women authority figures on news programmes, and former cabinet minister Baroness Morgan of Cotes discuss. Could your relationship survive one partner’s endurance sport obsession? In her new novel The Motion of the Body Through Space, Lionel Shriver explores the impact of extreme exercise on the ageing body and on one marriage in particular.Produced by: Rabeka Nurmahomed Presented by: Jenni Murray Editor: Jane ThurlowInterviewed guest: Rosie Campbell Interviewed guest: Clare Wenham Interviewed guest: Professor Jonathan Ball Interviewed guest: Dr Emma Kell Interviewed guest: Anna Lapwood Interviewed guest: Baroness Morgan of Cotes Interviewed guest: Professor Lis Howell Interviewed guest: Lionel Shriver

Today marks 75 years since VE day and we remember the end of war in Europe. We speak to Shirley Mann about how her mother’s own war experience inspired her to track down more women’s stories from this time. She shares the stories she discovered of the women who were pilots, wireless operators, and even “plotters” in the Battle of Britain bunker – and what they did next. Three women from the Armed Forces are taking legal action against the MOD claiming they are victims of sexual assault and rape. Their cases have already gone through military courts but there were no convictions and they believe justice would be better served if their cases were dealt with through the usual routes: the police and the CPS. We hear from lawyer Emma Norton, director of a new organisation called the Centre for Military Justice, who is representing the three women. Is Ireland going through a ‘golden age of literature’ when it comes to women’s writing? Sally Rooney and Anna Burns are hugely popular but what is behind this boom in new writing? Writers Lucy Caldwell and Jan Carson discuss.Over the last couple of weeks we’ve been hearing from women around the world who have dragged out their sewing machines to make face masks at home. In the Czech Republic masks are mandatory so Marcela has been doing her bit as she tells Maria Margaronis. For some people lockdown has proved the perfect time for some DIY and home improvements - from wallpapering to tiling to even a spot of joinery. How comfortable are you about doing the work yourself? We discuss the dos and don’ts with DIY expert Jo Behari and Sarah Beeny, presenter of HGTV’s ‘Renovate Don’t Relocate.’

The leaders of the USA, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Italy and the UK have come in for some criticism over their handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. They all have one thing in common, and it has been widely remarked on – they’re men. From Jacinda Ardern to Angela Merkel, women leaders across the world seem to be coping with Covid-19 better. But is it true? And, what might explain why? Jenni talks to Rosie Campbell, Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership and Professor of Politics at King’s College London and Clare Wenham, Assistant Professor in Global Health Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science.Could your relationship survive one partner’s endurance sport obsession? In her new novel The Motion of the Body Through Space, Lionel Shriver explores the impact of extreme exercise on the ageing body and on one marriage in particular. Since taking aim at the whole concept of cultural appropriation in a speech at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival in 2016, Shriver has become well known for her criticism of identity politics. How does that manifest in the book? She joins Jenni to discuss.Over the last couple of weeks we’ve been hearing from women around the world who are making face masks at home for family, health-workers and in this case child refugees in camps in Greece. Rabha Nasr who lives in Greece now spoke to Maria Margaronis, who asked her to choose some music she listens to when she sews.Next week marks 200 years since the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. We discuss her life, and legacy and impact on nursing in 2020. Anne-Marie Rafferty, Professor of Nursing Policy, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursery, Midwifery and Palliative Care at King’s College, London joins Jenni along with Greta Westwood, CEO of the Florence Nightingale Foundation.Presented by Jenni Murray Produced by Sarah Crawley Interviewed guest: Rosie Campbell Interviewed guest: Clare Wenham Interviewed guest: Lionel Shriver Interviewed guest: Rabha Nasr Interviewed guest: Anne-Marie Rafferty Interviewed guest: Greta Westwood Reporter: Maria Margaronis

Anna Lapwood is one of the UK’s few female concert organists. She was the first woman to be awarded an Organ Scholarship at Magdalen College, Oxford, in its 560-year history. She was then appointed the youngest ever Director of Music at Pembroke College at Cambridge University aged just 21. She has used this position to spearhead a number of initiatives including a choir for 11-18 year old girls and the Cambridge Organ Experience for Girls which encourages girls to take up the organ. We hear her Pembroke Chapel Choir performing Media Vita by Karensa Briggs. Anna's also making her presenting debut hosting BBC Four’s coverage of the BBC Young Musician 2020. MPs are to try to outlaw the courtroom murder defence of “rough sex gone wrong” during parliamentary debates on the domestic abuse bill, as cases of domestic violence soar during the coronavirus lockdown. Elizabeth Yardley is Professor of Criminology and Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University. She tells us about her research into femicide in Great Britain in the 21st Century and what action she thinks needs to be taken to save women's lives and achieve justice for those killed.In 1964, June Almeida identified the first human coronavirus at her laboratory in St Thomas' Hospital in London. Her paper to a peer-reviewed journal was rejected because the referees said the images she produced were just bad pictures of influenza virus particles. She died in 2007 and is only now getting recognition. Medical writer, George Winter explains more about how her research helps us in understanding COVID-19.Inspired by the tradition of May Queens, the Queens of Industry represented industries like coal mining, railways, wool and cotton. The tradition began in the 1920s and took young women out of their day to day lives to promote their industry and represent their fellow workers. They were celebrated at an exhibition at Leeds Industrial Museum in 2018 and Louise Adamson talked to the exhibition’s curator, John McGoldrick; Deborah Barry, who was Northumbria Coal Queen in 1982 and Doreen Fletcher, née Kerfoot, who was Yorkshire Wool Queen in 1947.Another in our series of interviews with women around the world who are sewing face masks at home for family, friends and sometimes health-workers to wear during the pandemic. Sara Fitzell is Maori and lives on the North Island of New Zealand.Presented by Jenni Murray Produced by Jane ThurlowInterviewed guest: Elizabeth Yardley Interviewed guest: George Winter Interviewed guest: Anna Lapwood Reporter: Louise Adamson Reporter: Maria Margaronis

Many parents have been longing for the the day the kids can go back to school following the lockdown. How are you feeling about sending your children back into the classroom? Over the last week, a number of old and offensive posts on Twitter have resurfaced. Many of them were written by influencers, artists and presenters. The majority of them contain abusive language towards dark skinned black women. Now the "court of public opinion" is calling for these individuals to be "cancelled". What's behind highlighting something some one said years ago? And what impact is it having on young black women online? .Despite having no experience of crofting or of island life, Tamsin Calidas moves with her husband from London to a remote island in the Scottish Hebrides. It’s idyllic, for a while but as the months wear on, Tamsin finds herself in ever-increasing isolation. She talks to Jane about beginning her journey back from the brink. Plus a report out today from the Child Poverty Action Group and the Church of England suggests that tens of thousands of families newly claiming Universal Credit because of the pandemic and shutdown will be affected by the benefit’s two child limit. It means that for claimants with three or more children only those born before 6 April 2017 will be counted in the benefit payment. We hear why they want the cap to be lifted.Presenter Jane Garvey Producer Beverley PurcellGuest Tobí Rachel Akingbadé Guest Bella Frimpong Guest Tamsin Calidas Guest Dr Emma Kell Guest Jonathan Ball Guest, Louise McGeehan.

The breakout of COVID-19 has put many aspects of life on hold – including the Big Day. Emily McMahon and her partner Jack Walsh tell us about their online wedding with friends and family over video call.The Expert Women Project has been recording and reporting the appearance of women authority figures appearing on news programmes for the last five years. Since this project began the number of women experts on these programmes has risen by at least 40%. Emeritus Professor Lis Howell directs the project and the former cabinet minister Baroness Morgan of Cotes, one of its supporters, join Jane to discuss the latest batch of results tracking the appearance of women on flagship news programming during the Covid 19 pandemic. Tishani Doshi is an Indian poet, writer, and dancer. Her latest novel, Small Days and Nights tells the story of Grace who returns to India from the USA to cremate her mother, only to find out she has an unexpected inheritance, a house on the beach and a sister with down’s syndrome. How does it feel to be bereaved and living alone during coronavirus? In today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, Elaine Chambers from Brighton talks about how being forced to give up social activities has affected the process of grief - and how she’s trying to cope with the emotional exhaustion of daily life. And the programme everyone's talking about the adapation of Sally Rooney's "Normal People" Presenter Jane Garvey Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Professor Lis Howell Guest; Baroness Morgan of Cote Guest; Tishani Doshi Guest; Elaine Chambers Guest ; Emily McMahon Guest; Jack Walsh Guest; Maria Fleming Guest; Elizabeth Day

Alison White's memoir Letter to Louis about raising a child with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities was the subject of the Woman's Hour drama. Jenni spoke to Alison and Louis. She also heard from Edel Harris, chief executive of Mencap about life during lockdown for adults with learning disabilities and their carers. Rachel Winterflood, a critical care nurse; “Mary” who works as a nurse in ICU and Jessica Sainsbury, a student nurse who has opted to finish her training with clinical practice discuss their experiences and concerns working on the frontline.The psychologist Caspar Addyman on his new book The Laughing Baby, which is all about the science of why babies laugh.The Netflix series Unorthodox tells the story of a teenager who flees her ultra Orthodox Hasidic Jewish community and an arranged marriage in New York, for a new life in Berlin. The four part drama series is inspired by Deborah Feldman’s 2012 autobiography Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots.British Indian cook Asma Khan has only ever employed women in her restaurant kitchen since she founded Darjeeling Express in 2015. Forced to close in March, she tells Jenni how she is looking after her staff now, and what she’s been cooking at home during Ramadan.Some people are experiencing fitful nights in lockdown, with a number of social media users reporting unusually vivid dreams. What is the science behind dreaming? Dr. Megan Crawford from the Sleep Research Unit at Strathclyde University, and the psychotherapist Lucy Beresford discuss.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Dianne McGregor

The number of people who have died with coronavirus in the UK has now passed 26,000, with some 15,000 in hospital. More than 100 NHS workers have died, a third of them nurses. What are the experiences and concerns of nurses working on the front line? Jane Garvey talks to Rachel Winterflood, a critical care nurse; “Mary” who works as a nurse in ICU and Jessica Sainsbury, a student nurse who has opted to finish her training with clinical practice.We talk to the two women who set up Glasgow City FC in 1988 at a time when sexism was a real problem in achieving equality in women's football (and still is!). Denied the access to the football they wanted to play when they were growing up Laura Montgomery and Cas Stewart decided to create the best team in Scotland and did! Glasgow City FC went on to win 13 consecutive League titles and reach the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter finals twice.The psychologist Caspar Addyman’s new book The Laughing Baby is all about the science of why babies laugh. He tells us what sets off a peal of delightful giggles and we hear stories and recordings from listeners about the things that have made their babies laugh.Marisa Meltzer was put on her first diet at the age of 5. Fast forward nearly four decades, Marisa comes across an obituary for Jean Nidetch, the woman who founded Weight Watchers in 1963. Marisa feels a moment of intense connection and decides to sign up for a year of Weight Watchers. In her book, This is Big Marisa ties together the biography of Jean Nidetch with her own story about body image, weight and her complicated relationship to food and dieting.

Caroline Nokes was elected chairman of the House of Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee earlier this year. However, her committee had met just once before the lockdown began. She has since launched an inquiry into the unequal impact of Covid 19. Last week, her committee of MPs sat for the first time online. Today is the deadline for anyone wishing to submit written evidence to that inquiry. With one of the world’s leading condom manufacturers temporarily stopping production due to coronavirus lockdowns, there are fears over shortages of contraceptives. Jenni talks to Dr Sarah Jarvis about the availability of contraceptives, how to access them and make sure you stay protected.We’re hearing from women around the world who are making face masks at home for family, friends and, in this case, health workers to wear during the Covid 19 pandemic. Humpheretta is from Liberia; she campaigns for a charity supporting women and girls when she’s not at work in a designer clothes shop. British Indian cook Asma Khan has only ever employed women in her restaurant kitchen since she founded Darjeeling Express in 2015. Forced to close in March, she tells Jenni how she is looking after her staff now, and what she’s been cooking at home during Ramadan.The Netflix series Unorthodox tells the story of a teenager who flees her ultra Orthodox Hasidic Jewish community and an arranged marriage in New York, for a new life in Berlin. The four part drama series is inspired by Deborah Feldman’s 2012 autobiography Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots. Presenter - Jenni Murray Producer – Sarah Crawley Guest – Caroline Nokes MP Guest - Dr Sarah Jarvis Guest – Humpheretta Reid Guest – Asma Khan Guest – Deborah FeldmanAsma's Lockdown recipe - Aloo Bharta - Spicy potato mash Bengal is the land of bhortas – the Bengali pronunciation of the Hindi word ‘bharta’, which means mashed. There are many variations on this dish. Here I am giving the recipe for two of my favourite versions. One is a mix of fresh, raw ingredients while the other requires a bit of cooking. Either way, Aloo Bharta goes perfectly with dal and rice. If you want to make this dish for more than two people, multiply the quantities given below. Serves 2 2 large baking potatoes (approximately 500 g/1 lb 2 oz) For the fresh, raw version 2 tbsp mustard oil, olive oil or argan oil 1⁄2 tsp salt 1 green chilli, finely chopped 1 small shallot or red onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves For the cooked version 2 tbsp mustard oil, olive oil or argan oil 1⁄2 tsp salt 1 dried red chilli, broken into small pieces 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 small shallot or red onion, finely chopped Small handful of coriander (cilantro) leaves, to garnish Cook the potatoes by either baking or boiling them using your preferred method. While the potatoes are still warm but cool enough to handle, remove their skins. In a bowl, mash the potatoes until smooth, using a masher or fork. To make the fresh, raw version, simply add all the other ingredients to the mashed potato and mix. Serve at room temperature. To make the cooked version, in a frying pan (skillet), heat the oil, add all the other ingredients, except the coriander leaves, and fry until brown. Add the warm fried onion mixture to the mashed potatoes and mix. Serve at room temperature with a few fresh coriander leaves scattered over the top. (Recipe originally printed in Asma's Indian Kitchen)

All week our drama has been about a woman bringing up her son who has cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. Today we hear from the real people behind the story: Alison White and Louis, who's an adult now. And afterwards we hear from Mencap about life during lockdown for adults with learning disabilities and their carers. We continue our Corona Diaries. Today we have Kate Tudge who breeds pigs in Herefordshire. We go to America to speak to Alix Kates Shulman, author of "Memoirs of an Ex-Prom Queen" who's making face masks. "A midlife crisis" is often used to describe middle-aged men being indulgent or irresponsible. But before it became a cliché, the term was a feminist concept. In 1976, a journalist called Gail Sheehy used it to refer to both men and women who might be reassessing their life and their choices and looking for a change. Susanne Schmidt, a history lecturer at Freie University in Berlin has written a book about Sheehy and her ideas. It's called Midlife Crisis: The Feminist Origins of a Chauvinist Cliché.

How are young carers coping in the lockdown? We hear from 17 year old James who looks after his mum and grandma. And Dr Kate Blake-Holmes joins us too. She's a social worker at the University of East Anglia and is carrying out research into this area. As we experience lockdown, how true is it that women comply with public health messages more obediently than men? Dr Michelle Harrison sets out the facts and figures when it comes to gender difference and public health messages.There's another chance to hear Jane's interview with the American author, Elizabeth Strout. Loads of you suggested her Olive Kitteridge novels for the lockdown. And who was Matilda McCrear? She was the last-known survivor of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. She was put on a boat to America in 1860 and she lived until 1940. She still has living relatives. The historian, Hannah Dunkin from the University of Newcastle, tells us about her.

The Commons Home Affairs Committee warned that without urgent steps to address the issue of domestic violence, families and communities would be dealing with the "devastating consequences" for a generation to come. Jane hears from Yvette Cooper, Chair of the committee. From the bald-headed white uakari to the Tapanuli orangutan - Nikki Waldron, a producer and director of BBC1 series Primates talks about capturing rarely seen species on film. We also hear from the primatologist Dr Cat Hobaiter, who is studying the gestures of chimpanzees. How do you care for your mental health when the normal support services are no longer available? Lindsay lives in Glasgow, and for today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries she talks about the difficulties of helping her mum cope with bipolar from a distance – and how she’s been dealing with her own anxiety while adapting to home schooling two young children.Glenda Young published her debut novel, a saga called Belle of the Back Streets set in her hometown of Ryhope, aged 54. She explains why all her books are set in the same year, the influence of Coronation Street on her writing and how she stopped hiding her writing at the back of her knicker drawer. Some people are experiencing fitful nights in lockdown, with a number of social media users reporting unusually vivid dreams. What is the science behind dreaming? Dr. Megan Crawford from the Sleep Research Unit at Strathclyde University, and the psychotherapist Lucy Beresford discuss. Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Dianne McGregor

We hear why the lockdown is the perfect time to give sewing and mending your clothes a try with Ros Studd a textiles teacher; Dulcie Scott a TV costume designer and Esme Young the fashion designer and judge on The Great British Sewing BeeDr Jessica Taylor, a research Pyschologist and founder of Victim Focus tells us why victim blaming is endemic.We look at the impact of death and dying during the pandemic and hear from Sarah Tully who’s dad died from Covid-19 and from Dr Rachel Clarke a specialist in Palliative Care and the clinical Psychologist Dr Frances Goodhart.The author Stephanie Scott tells us about the true story behind her debut novel What’s Left of Me is Yours.We hear how are different countries are responding to gender based violence during the pandemic, with Natalie Higgins, Senior Europe Producer for the BBC.And the actress Daisy Edgar-Jones tells us about playing the role of Marianne in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best selling novel Normal People.Presented by: Jenni Murray Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Lucinda MontefioreGuest; Esme Young Guest; Ros Studd Guest; Dr Jessica Taylor Guest; Sarah Tully Guest; Dr Rachel Clarke Guest; Dr Frances Goodhart Guest; Stephanie Scott Guest Daisy Edgar Jones

Food writer and cook Nigel Slater says that one of his great joys in life is going out to shop for ingredients, but how has that changed during lockdown? What is he yearning for that he can’t get, and how is it altering the way he thinks about food? His most recent book is Greenfeast.Hope High is a new BBC Sounds podcast, which takes listeners inside an area in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire that is fighting to protect children from being groomed by county lines drug gangs. The presenter and producer Annabel Deas spent a year finding out how young children are tricked into selling drugs, and why some are removed from their families, and placed in care for their own protection.Elaine Hall from Bath has been telephoning her 91-year-old aunt Olive, who’s blind, since the beginning of lockdown. But what started as a general daily catch up has blossomed into a joyous conversation including stories, literary discussions and games of Just a Minute. Elaine and Olive talk to Jenni for the Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries.The writer Holly Watt's new book, The Dead Line, follows investigative journalist Casey Benedict on the trail of a surrogacy racket - involving a Harley Street doctor, a British Ambassador, and a Bangladeshi camp. Holly, who is also an investigative journalist, joins Jenni to talk about the inspiration behind the story. The writer and broadcaster Sali Hughes has been talking to women about objects in their lives that are important to them. We hear from the comedy actress Margaret Cabourn-Smith about her snow globe.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Dianne McGregor

Comic Relief and Children In Need are joining forces for the first time for a special night of comedy, music and live entertainment, to raise money for their projects on BBC 1 tonight. It'll celebrate the people who making a difference and supporting those affected during these extraordinary times. Zoe Ball tell us about The Big Night In. The British Medical Association, the professional organisation for doctors, highlights the fact personal protective equipment (PPE) tends to be designed for the “size and shape of male bodies”, despite the fact that 75 per cent of NHS workers are women. We hear from Dr. Helen Fidler Deputy Chair of the BMA UK Consultants Committee.There are nearly 2 million single parents across the UK, and many rely on Child Maintenance Payment . However the COVID-19 crisis means many people have lost their job or some of their income. So, the Department for Work and Pensions has said that parents who pay it will be allowed to stop or reduce payments without any investigation or appeal. What impact will that have on single parent households? Angela a single mum of two tells us about what the changes will mean for her. Plus we hear from Victoria Benson the CEO of Gingerbread a charity who offer for single parent families. Why does society blame the victims of sexual violence rather than the perpetrators? Dr Jessica Taylor explains her research into how victim blaming works And the complexities of friendship, intimacy and young love - we speak to Daisy Edgar Jones who plays Marianne, in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel Normal People.Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Daisy Edgar Jones Guest; Zoe Ball. Guest; Dr Helen Fidler Guest; Victoria Benson Guest; Jessica Taylor

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