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Woman's Hour

Woman's Hour

2,035 episodes — Page 40 of 41

When your child has cancer...

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?Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Sam Waters-Long Interviewed Guest: Jenny Grenfell-Shaw Interviewed Guest: June Williams Interviewed Guest: Helen Campbell Interviewed Guest:, Anna Regan

Feb 27, 202046 min

Mercury retrograde. A new study into eating disorders. Clever working class women in the UK. Author Anne Enright.

Astrology concepts such as retrogrades and returns are no longer niche, they’re meme-worthy, and horoscopes have evolved from a bit of fun into revered life guidance. This isn’t the first time astrology has been part of the Zeitgeist, but it’s definitely enjoying a mainstream moment. So as Mercury the planet that rules technology, travel and communication is retrograde for the first time this year, we look at what that really means and the impact it could have on our life.An estimated 1.24 million people are affected by eating disorders in the UK, and less than half of those people make a full recovery. Yet the treatment and diagnosis is still comparatively misunderstood. We look at research which is just about to be launched that'll examine the possible genetic links.Clever working class women in the UK – how do they break through and how are they seen by their peers and those in power?Plus the author Anne Enright talks to us about her new novel "actress .Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Yasmin Boland Guest; Wendy Stacey Guest; Melanie Reynolds Guest; Panya Banjoko Guest; Kristin O’Donnell Guest; Anne Enright Guest; Dr Janet Treasure Guest; Andrew Radford

Feb 26, 202045 min

Sharon Horgan, Weinstein verdict, Dads and Hair, and Noor Inayat-Khan

The Military Wives Choir captured the nation’s hearts when they got the number one spot in the Christmas chart in 2011. In her new film, Sharon Horgan plays one of the women who got the choir started. She joins us to discuss working on the feel-good project.Yesterday, 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? Jane talks through the ramifications with Amanda Taub from the New York Times and feminist writer and commentator, Joan Smith. There are a growing number of videos on social media of dads doing hair - not their own but their daughter’s. And there are groups of men across the country who are gaining hairdressing skills so they can confidently style their daughter’s hair. Jack Woodhams is one of those dads, and he loves spending quality time with his daughter doing her hair. Khembe Clarke teaches dads the techniques they need to style their daughter’s natural afro hair.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. Jane talks to Lynelle Howson, an historian at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.Presenter - Jane Garvey Producer - Anna LaceyGuest - Amanda Taub Guest - Joan Smith Guest - Sharon Horgan Guest - Lynelle Howson Guest - Khembe Clarke Guest - Jack Woodhams

Feb 25, 202047 min

Family Secrets. Author Michelle Gallen. Women protesting in India.

We continue our series Family Secrets. Listener Melanie explains why she finally went to the police to reveal her family secret after 37 years.There's global attention on President Trump’s trip to India – a guest of Prime Minister Modi of the Hindu Nationalist BJP. This morning he'll be making a speech at a cricket stadium in Gujarrat. Meanwhile- hundreds of women are said to be on hunger strike in Uttar Pradesh in the north of the country, protesting about new Citizenship laws. Salman, Divya Arya, a Women’s Affairs journalist at the BBC in India, gives us the background to the protests which have been going on for some time.Plus Majella works in the local chip shop in a small town in Northern Ireland with her alcohol-dependent mother. She’s the subject of Michelle Gallen’s first novel ‘Big Girl, Small Town’ . She talks to Jane about the inspiration behind it.Presented Jane Garvey Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Michelle Gallen

Feb 24, 202048 min

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Emetophobia, a Perfect Winter Salad

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, famous for Fleabag and Killing Eve, is on the programme.We hear why the fear of being sick or hearing others be sick affects more women than men. It's called emetophobia and someone who suffers from it explains what it's like. Professor David Veale, a consultant psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital, joins us too. Islamic faith marriages aren’t valid under English law according to a recent Court of Appeal ruling. Now campaigners are worried that thousands of Muslim women have no rights if they divorce. We hear from Somiya who had to persuade her husband to marry her officially and Pragna Patel from Southall Black Sisters. An all-female team of investigative journalists from the 50-50 team at Open Democracy carried out an investigation into crisis pregnancy centres in 18 countries. Nandini Archer, the assistant editor, tells what they found out. We cook the perfect winter salad of red leaves, mackeral and orange with the food writer Catherine Phipps.And Tilda Offen, Harriet Adams and Ellie Welling, friends of 17 year old Ellie Gould who was murdered last year, tell us why they want self-defence classes to be part of the national curriculum. Presented by: Jane Garvey Produced by: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Siobhann Tighe

Feb 22, 202056 min

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the award-winning writer and creator of Fleabag, tells Jenni Murray about all things Fleabag: from celibacy, religion and sexual fluidity to the relationship between feminism and breast size, and of course the ‘Hot Priest’. Plus insight into the characters from Killing Eve, behind the scenes working on the new Bond film and how friends can be the greatest love story of your life. After the first season of Fleabag aired on the BBC in 2016, Phoebe brought us more complex and unpredictable female characters with her hit TV drama Killing Eve. In 2019 the second series of Fleabag won her critical acclaim in the US as well as the UK, including a handful of Emmys and a multi-million pound producing deal, and now a book Fleabag: The Scriptures. So how has she handled such an extraordinary run of success? And what difference has her work made to the way we see women on TV?Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Helen Fitzhenry Interviewed guest: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Feb 21, 202042 min

Trouser Suits, Family Secrets, Bishop Cherry Vann

The trouser suit: powerful in its own right or just a copy-cat of a man's? The fashion historian, Lydia Edwards, has a new book out called How to Read a Suit. She discusses when they became fashionable for women and if we'll still be wearing them in the future.We talk to Cherry Vann, the new Bishop of Monmouth. She's the first openly gay woman bishop in the UK, as well as the first bishop - male or female - to be in a civil partnership. She officially became bishop this month but just beforehand, and quite unconnected to her appointment, the Church of England issued a statement suggesting sex belongs only in heterosexual marriage. So how did that affect her and what message does she think it sends to Anglican LGBT members. Winter salad and a Pear and Rosemary Upside Down cake is on the menu in our latest Cook The Perfect ... And we've got Part Two of real life family secrets. Who are Sarah's birth parents?

Feb 20, 202046 min

Family Secrets: Sarah and a secret revealed by a DNA test

Sue Black, Women’s Equality Party candidate, joins Jenni to discuss why she has stepped down from the London mayoral race because of complications with her vaginal mesh implant.Flood warnings have been issued across the UK from Doncaster to Wales and more flooding is expected. Hundreds of properties have been affected and families evacuated. How are people on the ground coping? And what are communities doing to help each other? We hear from two women in Wales - Vicki Plumber Leclerc, who’s had to evacuate her home in Aberdulais with her two young kids and Tina Rankin who is running the emergency effort at her local church in PontypriddFamily Secrets - In most families there are things which don’t get talked about and the silences are often rooted in shame and in fear. In a new series of Family Secrets Sarah tells her story. She contacted Woman’s Hour because she wanted to talk about a family secret that she has only recently discovered at the age of 44.And an all-female team of investigative journalists from the 50-50 team at Open Democracy looked at a US backed network of crisis pregnancy centres in 18 countries. They say these were not the neutral counselling centres that they at first appeared to be. Undercover reporters who presented as women with unwanted pregnancies described being told that abortion increases the risks of physical and mental illness, that hospitals wouldn’t treat medical complications of abortion – and that women, even those who had been raped, would require the man’s consent. Nandini Archer, assistant editor of the 50-50 project explains how they worked over eighteen months and what they’ve found.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Caroline Donne Interviewed guest: Sue Black Interviewed guest: Vicki Plumber Leclerc Interviewed guest: Tina Rankin Interviewed guest: Nandini Archer

Feb 19, 202042 min

Parenting: How do you cope with fear of vomiting?

Does your fear of vomiting make parenting a challenge? Emetophobia, a fear of vomiting, is a relatively common but under-researched psychological disorder that mostly affects women. We speak with Lucy Burton, who’s been coping with emetophobia for most of her life, and is the mother of two young children. And Professor David Veale, a consultant psychiatrist at Maudsley hospital, which has a specialist centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma.

Feb 19, 202010 min

Daisy May Cooper, Self-defence in schools, Fear of vomiting, The High Table

Daisy May Cooper is one half of the sibling duo behind award winning BBC Three comedy This Country which returned for its third and final season on Monday. Daisy plays Kerry Mucklowe alongside her brother Charlie as ‘Kurtan’, two twenty-something cousins who are stuck in their tiny Cotswold village. Their lives revolve around local scarecrow competitions, terrorising neighbours and football training with the friendly local vicar. Daisy joins Jane to discuss the new series, accepting a BAFTA wearing a bin bag and dealing with the real life death of character and friend Sluggs.Do you fear being sick? Do you fear seeing or hearing others vomit? Do you take significant steps to minimize the risk of catching a sickness bug, which have interfered with your daily life? If you’ve answered yes to most of these questions, then you might be emetophobic. Emetophobia - a fear of vomiting - is a relatively common but under-researched psychological disorder that mostly affects women. Lucy Burton is one such woman and has been coping with emetophobia for most of her life. Jane also speaks to emetophobia expert Professor David Veale, a consultant psychiatrist at the Maudsley hospital in London.Ellie Gould was just 17. She had her whole life ahead of her. But last May she was killed by Thomas Griffiths who was once her boyfriend. He was also 17 and pleaded guilty to her murder. Now three of her closest friends want self-defence classes to be part of the national curriculum. They believe that if Ellie had some techniques to protect herself she may still be alive. Tilda Offen, Harriet Adams and Ellie Welling talk to Jane Garvey about what they’re doing for their friend.Every family has their complications - but for Leah, this might be the breaking point. It’s time to tell her traditional Nigerian parents that she is getting married to another woman. A new play - The High Table - explores family tradition, love and trauma. We meet the writer Temi Wilkey.Presenter - Jane Garvey Producer - Anna LaceyGuest - Daisy May Cooper Guest - David Veale Guest - Lucy Burton Guest - Temi Wilkey Guest - Ellie Welling Guest - Tilda Offen Guest - Harriet Adams

Feb 18, 202048 min

Choreographer Cathy Marston & 'The Cellist', her new ballet inspired by Jacqueline du Pre

A new ballet 'The Cellist' opens tonight at the Royal Opera House in London. It’s inspired by the life and work of the British cellist, Jacqueline du Pré. It portrays the highs and lows of the virtuoso’s life after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, aged 28. Its choreographer, Cathy Marston, talks to Jane Garvey about why it was such a personal project for her.Journalist and novelist, Joan Smith discusses the death of Caroline Flack, the CPS decision to prosecute her, and what impact have the findings of the Levenson inquiry really had?If you’re someone who follows the various targets on climate change, then the year 2050 is surely on your radar. It’s the very latest date scientists agree the world needs to be carbon neutral by in order to avoid life-changing and irreversible damage to the planet. A mere 30 years away – a lot of radical change needs to happen in the next TEN years to make that 2050 target feasible. Christiana Figueres has co-authored a book called ‘The Future We Choose’. It details positive action we can all take – and also specifically as women – to help us reach that 2050 target. Friday’s Court of Appeal ruling says under English marriage law Islamic marriage is an "invalid" non-legal ceremony. What are the consequences of that decision for thousands of Muslim women? Director of Southall Black Sisters, Pragna Patel, explains.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Joan Smith Interviewed Guest: Cathy Marston Interviewed Guest: Christiana Figueres Interviewed Guest: Pragna Patel

Feb 17, 202047 min

Anya Taylor-Joy on playing Emma. Dirty Mother Pukka on where's my happy ending? Plus A Curious History of Sex

Emma is one of the most adapted books by Jane Austen. It returns to the big screen this week. We hear from the director Autumn De Wilde and Anya Taylor-Joy who plays Emma.Yvette Cooper the Labour MP talks about the increasing number of violent threats being made to her and other MP’s. She tells us why she wants political parties to draw up a new joint code of conduct against intimidation.Anna Whitehouse and Matt Farquharson the duo behind the comedy podcast Dirty Mother Pukka discuss the trials, tribulations and rewards of relationships and family life.Two casting directors, who have just won awards from the Casting Directors Guild for their work; Lauren Evans, for the first series of Sex Education and Isabella Odoffin, for Small Island on stage last year at the National Theatre in London. Why has the role of casting been so undervalued?We discuss the impact of loneliness with Baroness Diana Barran the Minister for Lonelines, Bethan Harris creator of the Loneliness Lab, Professor of Pyschology at the University of Manchester Pamela Qualter and Kim Leadbetter the Ambassodor of the Jo Cox Foundation.And we hear from Dr Kate Lister who set up the Whore of Yore project in 2015 with the aim of starting a conversation about the history of sex. She has now written a book, A Curious History of Sex in which she explores the strange and baffling things human beings have done over the centuries in pursuit and denial of sex.Presenter Jenni Murray. Producer Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor Beverley Purcell

Feb 15, 202056 min

Chivalry, Sex, 90s Teenagers

Is chivalry dead? What is chivalry these days? Is it picking up the bill and opening a door? Is it just up to men or should women be chivalrous too? Podcaster and writer Tolly Shoneye talks about it with Amanda who's dating now. “To say that humans have overthought sex is something of an understatement.” That's according to Dr Kate Lister, a university lecturer who set up the Whore of Yore project in 2015. It tried to start a conversation about the history of sex. Her latest book is called A Curious History of Sex and in it she explores the strange and baffling things human beings have done over the centuries in pursuit and denial of sex.Sexual violence in literature: do we need to find the right language to talk about it properly? And how can reading classic novels like Samuel Richardson’s 18th century, ‘Pamela’, help us understand issues of consent better? Professor Rebecca Bullard and crime writer, Val McDermid join me to discuss.Were you a teenager in the 90s? Went to raves and house parties? We've been delving into archives of the The Museum of Youth Culture. They've got a touring exhibition called “Grown Up in Britain” which is showcasing objects from teenage culture through the decades. Today we hear from Molly, who was part of the party scene in 90s London.

Feb 14, 202046 min

Casting directors, the Equal Pay Act at 50, Shohreh Bayat

This is the first year Bafta has included a casting category, but still none exists within the Oscars. Jenni speaks to two casting directors, who have just won awards from the Casting Directors Guild for their work: Lauren Evans, for the first series of Sex Education and Isabella Odoffin, for Small Island on stage last year at the National Theatre in London. Why has the role of casting been so undervalued?Shohreh Bayat is a chess adjudicator. Last month she was working in Shanghai and photos were circulated of her appearing not to have a headscarf on. For an Iranian woman, even though you’re outside of the country, it’s still mandatory to wear a headscarf. She says she was wearing one, but it was hard to see in the photo. She updates us on her situation.The Equal Pay Act (1970) was successfully steered by through parliament by Barbara Castle and became the first piece of UK legislation to enshrine the right to pay equality between women and men. Jenni discusses how it happened and why the aim of paying men and women equally proved harder to achieve in practice with political journalist, Julia Langdon and Sarah Veale, former head of Equality and Employment Rights at the TUC. What was it like growing up in the 1980s? The Museum of Youth Culture is currently touring their exhibition “Grown Up in Britain”, which showcases artefacts from teen culture throughout the decades. Today, we hear from Mel, who was a teenage goth in North-East England in the 1980s.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth Watts

Feb 13, 202045 min

Anya Taylor-Joy: the latest actor to take on the role of Emma

Emma is one of Jane Austen’s most adapted books. It returns to the big screen this Friday. The new film is directed by Autumn De Wilde and stars Anya Taylor-Joy in the title role. Why's the story still so relevant today? After a recent discussion on ‘period power’ and the importance of getting to know your own menstrual cycle, listener Dearbhla McKeating got in touch. She doesn't have a monthly bleed and wanted to discuss the impact it has n your life. She joins Jenni alongside Consultant gynaecologist Pradnya Pisa. The Museum of Youth Culture is currently touring their exhibition “Grown Up in Britain”, which showcases artefacts from teenager culture throughout the decades. To celebrate we’ve been hearing from you about what it was like to be a teenager from the '60s to the present day. Today we hear from Teresa, who was a punk in the 1970s. Plus Yvette Cooper on why she's called for political parties to “draw up a new joint code of conduct against intimidation“, to make clear that “violent threats must have no place in politics in all parties”.Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest Autumn De Wilde Guest; Anya Taylor-Joy Guest; Dearbhla McKeating Guest; Pradnya Pisa Guest; Yvette Cooper

Feb 12, 202041 min

HRT shortages, Asylum-seeking women and destitution, Long-term relationships

Last week we discussed the shortages of menopause treatment drug HRT, which began in late 2018. This week, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have said they are ‘very concerned’ about women buying HRT products from unregulated online sites. Some sites were found to be selling products at four times the NHS price. Dr Sarah Jarvis, clinical director of patientacess.com, offers advice to HRT users in light of the shortages. Anna Whitehouse and Matt Farquharson are the duo behind the comedy podcast, Dirty Mother Pukka They have a new book out, Where’s My Happy Ending? where they discuss the trials, tribulations & rewards of relationships and family life. A new report published by the charity Women for Refugee Women claims that women who have fled rape and other sexual violence in their country of origin are being made vulnerable to further abuse in the UK because of government policy which makes them destitute. The report contains the stories of over 100 asylum seeking women. We hear from one of them and Jane speaks to human rights activist, Natasha Walter, founder of Women for Refugee Women.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. Kenyera Boothe and Rachel Musekiwa are 19 and are best friends. They both grew up in foster care.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Dr Sarah Jarvis Interviewed guest: Ana Whitehouse Interviewed guest: Matt Farquharson Interviewed guest: Natasha Walter Interviewed guest: Kenyera Boothe Interviewed guest: Rachel Musekiwa Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Feb 11, 202051 min

Loneliness – the last taboo?

Everyone will know someone who has been lonely. The vast majority of us will feel this way at some point in our lives. More and more of us are happy to speak out about depression but why is there still such stigma associated to talking about loneliness? Does it make us too vulnerable? We often hear about the old being lonely – but what about the young and middle aged? It isn’t considered a mental health condition but should it be? What impact does it actually have on our wellbeing? And what can we, as individuals, civil society and government actually do to tackle it? Jane speaks to Baroness Diana Barran, Minister for Loneliness, Professor Pamela Qualter, Prof of psychology for education, Uni of Manchester, Bethan Harris, Creator of Loneliness Lab & Director of Collectively and Kim Leadbetter, ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation and Jo Cox’s sister.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Dianne Mcgregor and Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Baroness Diana Barran Interviewed Guest: Professor Pamela Qualter Interviewed Guest: Kim Leadbeater Interviewed Guest: Bethan Harris

Feb 10, 202052 min

Anorexia, Rugby, Narcissism

We speak to Hannah Pearson who feels she's not getting the support she needs with her anorexia and bulimia. She’s been told she has to wait 18 months for an assessment because currently she's described as a "healthy weight". After Hannah, Dr Agnes Ayton, chair of the Eating Disorder Facility of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, describes some of the challenges when trying to get medical help.Catherine Spencer was captain of the England women’s rugby team from 2007 to 2010. She's now retired but has written a book called Mud, Maul, Mascara. Does she regret leaving the sport? Also on the programme is Danielle Thomas, who’s 32. Her mother is in the late stages of Huntingdon's Disease. Danielle has recently found out that she has the gene too, so what are her plans for the future? We talk about employing a cleaner and being a cleaner. And we find out what it means to be a narcissist, particularly in a relationship.

Feb 8, 202044 min

Frankie Bridge, Women's Liberation 2020, 'The Gift'

Frankie Bridge is best known as one fifth of 'The Saturdays' and outside of music has established herself as a TV presenter & digital influencer. She became a Mind ambassador after opening up about her experiences of anxiety, depression and panic attacks, after her hospitalisation in May 2012. Having initially dealt with these issues in silence, she now sees that asking for help can save your life. She talks to Jane about her new book OPEN which features practical guidance and advice from the psychologist and psychiatrist who helped her.Fifty years on from the first Women’s Liberation Conference in 1970, Women's Place UK organised one last weekend. 900 women gathered to discuss ending violence against women and sex discrimination and to defend women only spaces and single sex services. We hear from some of the women who were there and Professor Sophie Scott and journalist, Helen Joyce discuss what they hope the event will achieve. And, Janice Okoh‘s new play ‘The Gift’ is directed by Dawn Walton and was inspired by the story of Sara Forbes Bonetta – born Omoba Aina in 1843. A Yoruba princess, Sara was taken into slavery, released to the Lieutenant-Commander of the HMS Bonetta, then offered as a gift to Queen Victoria. The play is set in both 1862 and the present day, and explores themes of cross-racial adoption, colonialism and what it means to be British. Janice Okoh and Dawn Walton join us to discuss the play.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Ruth Watts

Feb 7, 202048 min

Parenting: The role of fathers on maternity wards

In January, midwives at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary complained that expectant dads were treating maternity wards ‘like a hotel’. Issues ranged from dads sharing beds with new mums, ordering takeaway food and making other new mothers embarrassed about breastfeeding. But as NHS policy states that maternity services should be ‘mother-focussed and family-centred’, should more be being done to welcome fathers onto wards? Jenni speaks to Dr Jeremy Davies from the Fatherhood Institute, NHS midwife Leah Hazard, and Cathy Nolan, who gave birth to her son last May.

Feb 6, 202015 min

Should more be being done to welcome fathers onto maternity wards?

Last month, midwives at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary complained that expectant dads were treating maternity wards ‘like a hotel’. Issues ranged from dads sharing beds with new mums, ordering takeaway food and making other new mothers embarrassed about breastfeeding. But as NHS policy states that maternity services should be ‘mother-focussed and family-centred’, should more be being done to welcome fathers onto wards? The UK government is chartering a final flight to bring British nationals back from the Chinese city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak. In China alone, there are now more than 24,300 cases of the virus, with the death toll at nearly 500. Dr Clare Wenham Assistant Professor in Global Health at the LSE tells us why she believes that the response to health emergencies should not be gender neutral. We asked you to share your experiences of being part of the Women’s Liberation Movement. Today a listener tells us about fighting for the right to sterilisation when her husband withheld his consent. Plus the impact joining the movement had on her life. Plus we hear from Syrian paediatrician Dr Amani Ballour, now the focus of an Oscar–nominated documentary called ‘The Cave’. Presenter Jenni murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Dr Clare Wenham Guest; Dr Amani Ballour Guest; Dr Jeremy Davies

Feb 6, 202046 min

Modern domestic service; Mud and Mascara in women's rugby; Teenage subcultures

Right now, there are thousands of people working hard in other people’s homes to keep them running smoothly. But what’s it like working in domestic service in modern Britain? Juliet Adame and Dawn Nickless talk about their experiences of the relationship between employer and employed, and the extent to which class still plays a role in people’s attitudes towards domestic workers. Jenni also speaks to Dr Lucy Delap from the University of Cambridge about how much the life of a cleaner, nanny and gardener has changed – or not – in the past 100 years, and why so many women feel mortally embarrassed about being the boss. Women’s rugby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and 29% of all rugby players are women. Since it was announced as an Olympic sport in 2009, the number of participants has grown globally from 200,000 to over 2.6 million. As preparations are underway for this year’s Women’s Six Nations Catherine Spencer the former Captain of the England talks to Jenni about her memoir Mud, Maul, Mascara: How I Led my Country, and Lived to Tell the Tale.Goth, punk, raver – what kind of teenager were you? The Museum of Youth Culture is currently touring their exhibition “Grown Up in Britain”, which showcases artefacts from teenagers throughout the decades. We discuss how teenage subcultures have evolved from the 50s to today with Ruth Adams, senior lecturer at Kings College London and Lisa Der Weduwe, Archives Manager at the Museum of Youth Culture, before kicking off our four-part feature series “A Short History of the Teenage Girl” with Kay from Derby.Presenter - Jenni Murray Producer - Anna Lacey Guest - Lucy Delap Guest - Julieta Adame Guest - Dawn Nickless Guest - Catherine Spencer Guest - Ruth Adams Guest - Lisa der Weduwe

Feb 5, 202043 min

Anorexia, Iowa Democrats, Churchill's Cook

We speak to Hannah Pearson who's 25 and has anorexia and bulimia. She recently asked for help from a specialist NHS eating disorder service close to where she lives but because she isn’t considered underweight enough she’s been told she has to wait 18 months. We hear from Hannah as well as Agnes Ayton from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Last night, Americans living in Iowa had their say on who they think is the best Democrat candidate to beat Donald Trump. Women candidates include Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar. We speak to Dr Anne-Marie Angelo, originally from Virginia, who’s now Senior Lecturer in American History at Sussex University in Brighton. There was a time when domestic service was the single biggest employer of women in the UK but many of their stories have been forgotten. Author and historian Annie Gray is putting things right with her new book, Victory in the Kitchen. It tells the story of Georgina Landemare’s journey from scullery maid to the much-admired cook of the Churchill family. She's joined by Edwina Brocklesby, Georgina’s granddaughter.

Feb 4, 202049 min

Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone, Narcissistic Abuse, Huntington's Disease

The UK left the European Union on Friday night – so what can women expect from British politics. There have been weeks of speculation about a February reshuffle – we discuss the women who will win and lose. And what of the women among the voters who the Prime Minister has often said “lent” him their votes? Jane talks to Helen Lewis, staff writer for the Atlantic and to Anne McElvoy, senior editor at The Economist about how women’s interests will figure in post-Brexit politics. Last Wednesday, in our series about breaking free from damaging relationship patterns, we heard a moving account from “Sadie” who described her ex-partner as a narcissist. Today we explore further the subject of narcissistic abuse. Life for girls in Afghanistan can be dangerous – and with no set education system, they can often find themselves selling tea in the street or married early. But a centre in Kabul is teaching children from poor areas to read, write and… skateboard. It’s the subject of a BAFTA winning film Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) by Carol Dysinger, who joins us to discuss the project.BBC stories has been following Danielle Thomas on her journey to find out if she has inherited the gene for Huntington’s disease. Her mum is in the late stages of the disease and there’s a 50:50 chance that she could have inherited it. Jane talks to her about her decision to discover if she’s a carrier and the impact it’s had on her life.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Helen Lewis Interviewed guest: Anne McElvoy Interviewed guest: Katherine Baldwin Interviewed guest: Carol Dysinger Interviewed guest: Danielle Thomas Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Feb 3, 202046 min

The double discrimination faced by black parents with autistic children

The double discrimination faced by black parents with autistic children. Damaging relationships - why do we so often repeat the same patterns of behaviour?Forestry England's writer in residence. Plus Marion Dunn who took up boxing for fitness in her 50's. The campaign to reform the disclosure of criminal records. And Gwyneth Paltrow and her Goop Lab - why are so many of us so keen on advice and products that are not backed up by any scientific research?Producer Olivia Cope Editor Beverley PurcellGuest; Pam Aculey Guest; Venessa Bobb Guest; Marion Dunn Guest; Leigh Hardy Guest; Rachel Tynan Guest; Zakiya McKenzie Guest; Louise Tickle Guest; Jenny Beck Guest; Penny Guest; Prof Tali Sharot Guest; Dr Anjali Mahto Guest; Anne-marie Lodge

Feb 1, 202056 min

Rachel Clarke, DBS Checks, Home Schooling

Rachel Clarke is a doctor working at a hospice. She’s a palliative care doctor and says the “currency of a hospice is kindness”. She's talking about sweet and thoughtful gestures that make a difference to dying patients and their loved ones. She’s also a great believer in talking to patients and relatives about how death comes, and says the reality of it is normally not as awful as we fear. Sixty thousand children stay at home for their education and do very well. They're taught by dedicated mums and dads. However, there are fresh concerns about home schooling due to a couple in Northamptonshire who are now in jail for child cruelty. They told their son's school that they wanted to teach him at home but he suffered four years of abuse. There's been a Serious Case Review into what happened and it concluded that home-schooling regulations in England and Wales need ‘urgent care’. We discuss with the Children's Commissioner, Anne Longfield. Do you have a criminal record for a relatively minor offence from years ago. Is it stopping you doing the jobs you'd like to do, like being a nurse, caring for children or working in a library? Two legal charities have launched a campaign called #FairChecks. They want the government to reform the way people have to disclose criminal records. Jenni talks to two women who've had DBS problems and to Rachel Tynan, from the charity Unlock.Georgie Codd, author of We Swim to the Shark, is really really scared of fish. She suffers from ichthyphobia – a fear of fish. She joins Jenni to talk about the drastic steps she took to overcome her phobia.

Jan 31, 202045 min

Breaking damaging relationship patterns, 50 years since the first women's liberation conference

Next month sees the fiftieth anniversary of the first Women’s Liberation conference at Ruskin College, Oxford. The event produced four key demands for equal pay, equal education and job opportunities, free contraception and abortion on demand, and 24-hour nurseries – and it is widely seen as a defining moment in the development of Second Wave Feminism. Jenni discusses its significance and legacy with the organiser of the 1970 meeting, Sally Alexander and with the historian Selina Todd.In parts of of Uganda, men are pressuring their wives into breastfeeding them before their babies. New research has explored why and how men are doing this, and how the practice may be coercive. We’re joined by a researcher on the project, Dr Rowena Merritt, and BBC reporter in Kampala, Patricia Oyella.And, how do we break damaging relationship patterns and what does research tell us about what makes relationships strong and healthy? Jenni is joined by Penny Mansfield, co-director of the relationships charity One Plus One and Simone Bose who works for Relate. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth Watts

Jan 30, 202045 min

Parenting: The 'double discrimination' facing black children with Autism

Getting the right information and support to raise a child with autism can be difficult for any parent. But if the child is from an ethnic background, research has shown that this can act as a 'double discrimination'. Why is this the case? We hear from Pam Aculey whose oldest son has autism and now has produced a series of children's picture books. And Venessa Bobb who has two children with the condition and now runs her own charity - A 2nd Voice - set up to help families like hers.

Jan 29, 202011 min

Breaking patterns in relationships. Why nursing may be undervalued. Raising a child with autism from an ethnic background.

Over the past few weeks we've been hearing women’s personal experiences about their relationships and why things went wrong. Today it's the turn of a woman we're calling " Sadie".Nurses are under-valued across the UK because of an old-fashioned view that caring for others is a ‘feminine characteristic’. That’s according to a new study, commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing. Jenni talks to Dr Anne Humbert one of the authors of the report and to Dame Donna Kinnair Chief Exec and General Secretary of the RCN about what needs to be done to change the public perception of the profession.The domestic abuse sector is facing a sustained funding crisis, with the Women's Aid Annual Audit showing that 64% of refuge referrals were declined last year. The number of refuge bed spaces in England is now 30% below the number recommended by the Council of Europe. Sarah Davidge the Research and Evaluation Manager from Women's Aid talks about what they think needs to be done to plug the funding gap.Getting the right information and support to raise a child with autism can be difficult for any parent. But if the child is from an ethnic background, research has shown that this can act as a 'double discrimination'. Why is this the case? We hear from Pam Aculey whose oldest son has autism and now has produced a series of children's picture books. And Venessa Bobb who has two children with the condition and now runs her own charity - A 2nd Voice - set up to help families like hers.Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Dr Anne Humbert Guest ; Dame Donna Kinnair Guest; Pam Aculey Guest; Venessa Bobb Guest; Sarah Davidge Reporter; Milly Chowles.

Jan 29, 202044 min

Goop Lab and the psychology of wellness; Tolson judgement; French #MeToo; Emma Jane Unsworth

Last Friday, Gwyneth Paltrow launched her new TV series ‘Goop Lab’ on Netflix. It explores everything from reducing your biological age to having the best female orgasms and healing yourself with energy. But where’s the line between fact and fiction when it comes to wellness? What draws people in to trying the vast and bizarre range of creams and contraptions on offer? And what is it about our psychology that means it rarely matters whether the claims are backed up by science? Jane is joined by cognitive neuroscientist Prof Tali Sharot, consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto and self-confessed beauty product obsessive, Ree.In France there’s a debate going on about very young people having sexual relationships with older, more powerful men: something that used to be deemed acceptable in some intellectual circles. It’s because a woman called Vanessa Springora – a leading French publisher – makes allegations in a book which came out this month, that she was groomed when she was 14 by a much admired author who was 50. Anne-Elisabeth Moutet a French journalist, explains what’s happened, why it’s significant and how it's not acceptable anymore.Last week a written judgement was published in the family division of the High Court. Ms Justice Russell ruled in favour of a woman seeking a fresh hearing in the family courts. Her child custody case had originally been handled by a senior judge, Judge Tolson. In the course of his fact finding he ruled that the woman had not been raped by her former partner because she had “taken no physical steps” to stop him. The appeal judgement criticised him for his outdated ideas of what constitutes consent. It also recommended that family court judges who regularly deal with allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence should be required to undergo training to the same level as judges trying these charges in criminal courts. Jane discusses the significance of this judgement and what needs to happen next with Jenny Beck, Director of Beck Fitzgerald solicitors, a specialist family law firm and Louise Tickle, a journalist who specialises in social affairs and family law Jane talks to the award winning novelist and screen writer Emma Jane Unsworth about her new novel 'Adults' – about friendship, family, love and what it means to be an adult.Presenter - Jane Garvey Producer - Anna Lacey Guest - Tali Sharot Guest - Anjali Mahto Guest - Anne-Marie Lodge Guest - Jenny Beck Guest - Louise Tickle Guest - Emma Jane Unsworth Guest - Anne-Elizabeth Moutet

Jan 28, 202048 min

Edith Eger, Breaking Relationship Patterns, Taking up Boxing at Fifty

Seventy five years ago today Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz Birkenau. January 27th is Holocaust Remembrance day. Edith Eger is a psychologist from Hungary. She was 16, an enthusiastic dancer and gymnast, when she was taken with her family to Auschwitz. She’s now 92. In 2018 she published a memoir about her experiences and how they shaped her life, it’s called “The Choice”. Tina Dahaley asked her what happened when they got to the camp in Poland: Aged fifty Marion Dunn joined a boxing gym. The fitness training proved incredibly hard but Marion soon became addicted to it and to learning how to punch with the best of them. She explains to Jane why she thinks boxing is such a wonderful activity.When you look back over your relationships do you see patterns? In the third in a series the story of a woman we are calling Katy who feels that her earliest experiences shaped what she looked for and needed from her partners.Zakiya Mckenzie, a writer from Bristol, talks to Jane about spending a year as Forestry England's writer in residence and her attempts to make the green movement more black.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Edith Eger Interviewed guest: Marion Dunn Interviewed guest: Zakiya Mckenzie Reporter: Tina Dahaley Reporter: Millie Chowles Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Jan 27, 202048 min

Gail Porter, Modest Fashion & Female Friendships

Gail Porter, once one of the UK’s most sought after female TV presenters, talks about her life in the documentary Being Gail Porter. From developing alopecia to suffering severe mental health problems and ending up homeless. As the Office for National Statistics releases new employment figures – we look at what sorts of jobs women are losing and what's being done to save them, with the Economist Vicky Pryce and the TUC’s Head of Economics Kate Bell.As well-known high street fashion brands start selling clothes under the ‘Modest Fashion’ banner we find out what "modest fashion" really means from Reina Lewis from the London College of Fashion and the model Amina Begum Ali.Would you sacrifice having children to save the planet? Jane takes your calls and examines the issue with Anna Hughes who's chosen to be child free for environmental reasons and Professor Sarah Harper Director of the Oxford Programme on Fertility Education and Environment.Plus the playwright Miriam Battye and the actor Rebekah Murrell talk about their new play at the Royal Court in London which explores the highs and lows of female friendship. And Lorna Cooper gives us her tips for feeding a family of four on a budget of just £20 a week.Presented by: Jane Garvey Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Beverley Purcell

Jan 25, 202056 min

Lorna Cooper, Sarah Champion, Jane Sanderson

Lorna Cooper says she feeds her family of four on £20 a week. She's cut it down from £100. She offers her best tips for planning meals and stretching your grocery money.Churches, mosques and gurdwaras should be safe places for teenagers. Yet due to a loophole in the law adults in faith settings can have sexual relationships with 16 and 17 years old who are under their supervision. This would be illegal if it happened in a school. The MP Sarah Champion is leading a cross-party group of MPs looking into how teenagers can be better protected in faith settings and how this legal loophole can be closed. Why is the idea of connecting with past lovers so powerful? A new novel called Mix Tape by Jane Sanderson explores the power of music to bring soulmates back together. Radio 4 has a drama tomorrow which is about the famous novel, The Well of Loneliness. The drama is set in 1928 and is about the obscenity trial that led to the banning of the book. Written by Radclyffe Hall, the novel's about a love affair between two women. Shelley Silas is the writer of the Radio 4 drama and joins Jane to talk all about it.

Jan 24, 202050 min

Breast and cervical cancers; Clara Ponsati; Imposteress Rabbit Breeder; Scenes with Girls

A new scanning technique that can identify aggressive tumours could help to transform the treatment of breast cancer. Dr Ferdia Gallagher, an academic radiologist at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge explains. Meanwhile, cervical cancer affects more than 3,000 women a year, but there is concern that progress has stalled in tackling the disease. Dr Julie Sharp is head of health and patient information at Cancer Research UK and she discusses what needs to happen. How much do your girlfriends mean to you? A new play at the Royal Court theatre explores the highs - and the lows - of female friendship. The playwright Miriam Battye and actor Rebekah Murrell join Jenni to discuss.In October 1726, newspapers began reporting a remarkable event: In the town of Godalming in Surrey, a woman named Mary Toft was giving birth to rabbits. Mary was examined by medics and the case drew the attention of the King, government and law courts. Historian Karen Harvey talks about her new book The Imposteress Rabbit Breeder.And, Clara Ponsati is a highly regarded economics professor at the University of St Andrews, but in 2017, she was the Catalan minister of Education when the independence referendum was held. The Spanish government declared the vote illegal and it wants Ponsati to return to Spain to face a charge of sedition. The BBC’s Niall Gallagher takes a look at who she is and what is likely to happen next.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth Watts

Jan 23, 202046 min

Gail Porter

In 1999, Gail Porter was one of the UK’s most sought-after female TV presenters. Most famously, she helped sell over a million copies of FHM magazine after her naked image was projected onto the Houses of Parliament. In Being Gail Porter, a documentary for BBC Scotland, she explores her rise to celebrity and her fall into depression, anorexia, self-harming and homelessness. She talks to Jenni about why, after more than 20 years, she now feels able to face up to what she's been through and begin to make sense of it all.Milly Chowles has set out to try to understand why, when it comes to relationships, we often repeat what we've done in the past. In the second of her series about toxic relationships she talks to Jo who felt compelled to seek out conflict and drama. Despite a lifetime of correspondence, just 160 of Jane Austen’s letters survive to the present day. The vast majority were burned by her beloved sister Cassandra after her death. But what secrets was she trying to destroy? In her latest novel, Miss Austen, Gill Hornby imagines the complex relationship and lives of these two sisters and the events that motivated the editing and rewriting of Jane’s history.Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Gail Porter Guest; Gill Hornby Reporter; Milly Chowles

Jan 22, 202042 min

Modest Fashion, Behind the Unemployment Figures, the Art of Listening

The Office for National Statistics release new unemployment figures today. We look behind the numbers and ask what sorts of jobs women are losing and what’s being done to save them. What do we know about the jobs that women are employed in? And have efforts to help women get into better paid sectors changed the gender pay gap? Do you know what “modest fashion” is? It’s about wearing less revealing clothes, and if you’ve a religious faith which emphasises modesty, it’s a style which allows you to do just that and look great. Well-known high-street shops and on-line brands (like M&S and ASOS) sell clothes under this banner, appealing to a more diverse range of customers. But is it really just a new way of describing how many of us prefer to dress, especially as we get older? Reina Lewis from London College of Fashion together with Amina Begum Ali who’s a model, discuss how it fits into the UK’s £32 billion fashion industry. When you look back over your relationships do you see patterns? Our reporter Milly Chowles does and she wants to understand why this might be. In a new series about toxic relationships she talks to four women who have broken free. Today, a woman we are calling Nina who was drawn to bad boys. Writer Kate Murphy claims that as a society we’ve forgotten how to listen. She joins Jane to talk about what stops us & to argue the case for better listening.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Vicky Pryce Interviewed guest: Amina Begum Ali Interviewed guest: Reina Lewis Interviewed guest: Kate Murphy Reporter: Milly Chowles Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Jan 21, 202047 min

PHONE-IN - Would you stop having kids to save the planet?

The population of Earth has doubled since 1970 and is heading for 10 billion by 2050. That’s a lot of extra strain on the planet. Could having fewer kids be the answer? Jane Garvey wants to hear your thoughts! Would you consider having fewer kids for the greater good? Have you or someone you know decided to live a child-free life? Is Harry and Meghan’s choice to stop at two the ideal compromise? Are you someone who couldn’t ignore the urge for a third? Or is it over-consumption rather than over-population that’s the real issue? Call 03700 100 444 or email us via the Woman's Hour website. Lines open from 0830Presenter - Jane Garvey Producer - Anna Lacey Guest - Prof Sarah Harper Guest - Anna Hughes

Jan 20, 202048 min

Maggie Oliver, Music from the Alison Rayner Quintet & Mixed Weight Dating

Maggie Oliver, the former detective and whistleblower who exposed Greater Manchester Police’s poor handling of the sexual abuse of young girls in Rochdale, talks about the publication of the first part of an independent review into failures in the Investigation of the sexual grooming of children. She tells us why she thinks girls are continuing to be abused today.A mother tells us about her daughter being able to access around 30 cosmetic procedures despite being under the age of 18. Caroline Payne a plastic and reconstructive surgeon discusses how and why this might happen.We have music Alison Rayner Quintet.We discuss the term ‘Mixed Weight Dating, used to describe a couple with a noticeable difference in body size or shape, with Steph Yeboah a plus size and body positive lifestyle blogger and Ebony Douglas the CEO of her own marketing and PR agency.We hear from the heads of the UK’s only two women’s housing associations Zaiba Qureshi the Chief Executive of Housing for Women and Denise Fowler the Chief Executive of Women’s Pioneer Housing. How have women’s housing needs changed since the organisations were set up?Presented by: Jenni Murray Produced by: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Lucinda Montefiore

Jan 18, 202043 min

Iranian referee Shohreh Bayat at the Women's Chess World Championship and the controversy about her hijab

Shohreh Bayat, an Iranian chess referee, has caused controversy this week having been accused of not wearing a hijab at the current Women’s World Chess Championship. The wearing of the headscarf is mandatory in her country and despite disagreeing with the rule she claims she was complying. We hear from Shohreh. How worried is she about returning to Iran? And BBC correspondent, Sarah Rainsford explains her situation.On the bicentenary of Anne Brontë’s birth, screenwriter Sally Wainwright (To Walk Invisible) and Anne Brontë biographer, Adelle Hay (Author of Anne Brontë: Reimagined) discuss Anne’s most famous work 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall', and why it is now considered one of the first feminist novels. The latest statistics suggest young British people are having less sex than ever before. Could this be because it can be so hard to be open about what we like, and what we want, from sex? Do our gender expectations make it particularly hard for straight men to admit they like a submissive role in sex? What about when the sexual act itself comes with elements of stigma or taboo - like anal play? We discuss how straight men can talk about sexual desire with female partners and why this matters. Shakira ‘Scotty’ Scott is an erotic romance author and blogger. Habeeb Akande is a sexual well-being educator. Matthew is 30 and has been married for two years.Francesca Wade has written a group biography about five exceptional women – the modernist poet, H.D., the detective novelist, Dorothy L Sayers, the classicist Jane Harrison, the economic historian Eileen Power and the writer and publisher Virginia Woolf. They all lived at different times in the same London square. She discusses with Jenni the struggles these women faced to live, love and above all, work independently in the early 20th century.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Shohreh Bayat Photographer: Misha Friedman Interviewed Guest: Sarah Rainsford Interviewed Guest: Sally Wainwright Interviewed Guest: Adelle Hay Interviewed Guest: Shakira ‘Scotty’ Scott Interviewed Guest: Habeeb Akande Interviewed Guest: Francesca Wade

Jan 17, 202044 min

Parenting: Why do children lie?

Young children may know they can deceive others but their first lies are often more humorous than effective. Imagine the child who claims not to have eaten any cake while her mouth is still full, or who blames the family dog for drawing on the wall. But is lying actually an important sign other cognitive skills are also developing? As a child matures how does the nature and motivation behind lying change? And is it ever a cause for concern? In this week's Woman's Hour Parenting Podcast, Jenni Murray speaks to consultant child and educational psychologist, Laverne Antrobus.

Jan 16, 20209 min

Maggie Oliver, Alison Rayner Quintet, the history of the breast, and shortbread

A report on child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester says police and social workers were aware and failed to protect victims fifteen years ago. We hear from Maggie Oliver, the former detective who blew the whistle on the failure to tackle grooming gangs in Rochdale, why she thinks little has changed in that time and why prosecutions must follow. When she turned 60, bass player Alison Rayner formed a jazz band. She also set up Blow the Fuse, an organisation to support women musicians. Alison talks about her choice of instrument, why it’s never too late to take up music and the reaction she gets from her audience. Professor Joanna Bourke looks at the history of ideas about the breast from beauty to age and function to sexual pleasure. She also discusses what happens when we turn our attention to the male breast.And, in Flora Shedden’s new book Aran, each chapter follows a day in the life of the bakery of the same name which is located below the highlands of Scotland. She joins Jenni in the studio with Granny Joan’s and Angus’ shortbread.Presenter: Jenni Murry Producer: Ruth Watts

Jan 16, 202043 min

Stormont Women, A Friend's Death, Mixed-Weight Dating

You might have seen a striking picture this week of the two top women in Northern Ireland facing four men in suits. The women are the First Minister, Arlene Foster from the DUP and Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill from Sinn Fein. The new Assembly has more female politicians that ever, so what does this say about how Northern Ireland is changing?New books and apps help you track your periods and find out when you're on top form and when you're not. But it is true that we can work our life around your hormones if we understand our cycle? Jenni's joined by Dr Emma Ross, Head of Physiology at the English Institute of Sport and Maisie Hill, author of Period Power. Is mourning a friend different from mourning for someone in the family? You're expected to be very sad when a family member dies but grieving for a friend can be seen as ‘too much’. It can also be complicated, especially if you knew them in a different way to how their family did. When friends of our own age die it can bring up all sorts of tricky emotions. Sue Elliott-Nicholls, who knows what it's like to grieve for friends and family, reports. ‘Mixed-weight dating’ is a term used to describe a couple with a noticeable difference in body size or shape. Some people see it as a straight-forward description of the couple but others say the phrase is offensive. Steph Yeboah is a plus-size and body positive lifestyle blogger. Ebony Douglas is the CEO of her own marketing and PR agency - and has been in a relationship like this for three years.

Jan 15, 202044 min

Under-age cosmetic surgery, Housing for Women, Labour leadership

Today we look at under-18 access to procedures carried out at cosmetic clinics. A listener contacted us to voice her concern over the way these places are regulated because, in the last 18 months, her daughter who is now 17 has accessed more than 20 clinics for around 30 procedures. She was never asked to prove her age despite being asked to sign paperwork saying she is over 18. We hear from our listener and Miss Caroline Payne, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and a member of British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.Five candidates have secured backing from 22 MPs or MEPs, to see their names go on the ballot to become the next Labour leader. The names of four women and a man will go forward: Rebecca Long Bailey, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips, Emily Thornberry and Keir Starmer. After the Conservative Party selected its second woman Prime Minister many senior Labour politicians have insisted that the next Labour leader must be a woman. But does it need to be a woman who can win back the women voters the party lost? What do women voters want to hear from the next Labour leader? And is it a problem if the party fails to select a woman once again?We’ve had a phenomenal response to our interview last week about women and concussion. Dr Priyanka Pradhan - a Woman’s Hour listener and consultant neuropsychologist at St George’s Hospital in London – got in touch to share her expertise in managing concussion and post-concussion syndrome. Jane also reads out a selection of your emails. We speak to the heads of the UK's only two women’s housing associations - Zaiba Qureshi, Chief Executive of Housing for Women and Denise Fowler, Chief Executive of Women’s Pioneer Housing - about how central the issue of housing was to women’s suffrage campaigns, and whether the housing needs of women have changed much since then.Presenter - Jane Garvey Producer - Anna Lacey Voice actor - Heather Craney Guest - Caroline Payne Guest - Jenny Chapman Guest - Yasmin Qureshi Guest - Dr Priyanka Pradhan Guest - Zaiba Qureshi Guest - Denise Fowler

Jan 14, 202048 min

PHONE-IN: Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex

When Meghan Markle entered the Royal Family it was seen by many as the dawning of a new age, a breath of fresh air.Less than three years later the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced their wish to ‘step back’,We want to hear your thoughts. Do you think their announcement was outrageous or an inevitable consequence given the treatment of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex?What impact will her ‘stepping back’ have on the Royal Family?The number to phone is 03700 100 444. Lines open at 0900.

Jan 13, 202046 min

Reappraising Christine Keeler, Snowplough Parents & Why women love reading fiction

What impact did the Profumo Affair have on the woman at its centre Christine Keeler? We hear an interview she did with Jenni in 2001 and Baroness Joan Bakewell and Professor Kate Williams discuss the attitudes to Christine Keeler at the time and how they have changed now.We hear why women are at particular risk when it comes to experiencing a concussion. We hear from Dr Willie Stewart the Head of Glasgow Brain Indury Research Group and from Samantha Ainsworth who has post-concussion syndrome.Professor Helen Taylor tells us why women are the main readers of fiction.The government’s official advisers on youth justice are calling for a full review of the age of criminal responsibility. We hear why there are calls for it to be raised from ten years old to twelve. Dr Eileen Vizard a consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Louise King the Director of Policy and Campaigns for Just for Kids Law.Are you a snowplough parent? Are you guilty of doing your child’s homework so that they don’t experience failure? Rebecca Glover is the Principal of Surbiton High School and Dr Angharad Rudkin is a child psychologist discuss.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Karen Dalziel

Jan 11, 202043 min

How Fat Feels, Rosamund Lupton, Sexual Violence in Conflict

Back in 2018 we had a series called How Fat Feels. It included 16 year old Phoebe who told us how she felt about her body and how her weight has affected her as a teenager. Today Phoebe joins Jane in the studio to listen back to that interview and reflect on how she is now.The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative was first championed by Lord Hague and Angelina Jolie in 2014. This week's review by the Independent Commission of Aid Impact says that it's been “valuable & worthwhile” but its fallen short. Baroness Arminka Helic, who was part of the Initiative from the start, joins Jane to discuss.Rosamund Lupton has brought out a new thrllier. It's called Three Hours and is about a school shooting in rural Somerset. As the minutes count down, the adults and children involved refuse to let evil win and look after each other instead. Rosamund Lupton explains how and why she chose to explore such a distressing story from all angles and perspectives.

Jan 10, 202047 min

Reappraising Christine Keeler, Leah Penniman, Alice Guy Blache

BBC One drama series The Trial of Christine Keeler is an imaginative reappraisal of the 1960s scandal known as the Profumo Affair. It's told from her perspective and the impact a series of powerful men had on the teenage girl. We hear archive of Christine Keeler talking to Woman’s Hour in 2001. And, Baroness Joan Bakewell and Professor Kate Williams discuss attitudes to Keeler at the time and changes in sexual politics since 1963. New research out today reveals that women in the UK have much poorer sexual health than men. But many of the groups identified in the study – including those with sexual dysfunction and low desire - are often being missed by existing sexual health services. We look at what's happening and why. Fifteen per cent of UK farmers are women. When it comes to Black or ethnic minority farmers, numbers are hard to pin down - and it seems there’s a similar lack of diversity in farming and food production in America. Leah Penniman is a Black woman who describes herself as an activist farmer. She opened a community farm called Soul Fire Farm in New York State, aiming to provide better quality food for people on low incomes. She talks about her new book, Farming While Black. Alice Guy-Blache was a pioneering French filmmaker. In 1896 she wrote, produced and directed one of the first narrative films ever made. She created more than 1,000 films during her 20-year career and ran her own studio, yet her contribution to the birth of cinema has largely been largely forgotten. Pamela B Green spent 8 years researching her story, resulting in the documentary film ‘Be Natural’, and joins us to discuss her work. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth Watts

Jan 9, 202047 min

Parenting: Snowplough Parents

We’ve heard of the helicopter mum. Now here comes the snowplough. That’s the term used to describe an overprotective parent who clears anything in their path in order to ensure their child’s success. But what does this behaviour do to a child? Jenni is joined by Rebecca Glover, Principal of Surbiton High School who has created a TedX Talk ‘Do Snowplough parents remove true grit?’ and Dr Angharad Rudkin, a child psychologist.

Jan 8, 20208 min

Sexual offences against men; 'How Fat Feels'; Snowplough parents

Reynhard Sinaga has been identified this week as ‘Britain’s most prolific rapist’. He was convicted of 159 counts of sex offences including 136 rapes, against 48 male victims and will serve a minimum of 30 years in prison. Police believe there may have been up to 200 victims. According to research 1 in 6 men have been targets of rape or sexual abuse. To discuss the issue of male rape and the support available to victims, Jenni is joined by Alex Feis-Bryce, CEO of SurvivorsUK and Neil Henderson, CEO of Safeline and Chair of Male Survivors Partnership. In our series’ How Fat Feels’ back in 2018 Mellisa talked honestly to our reporter Ena Miller about why she insists on calling herself fat and how her weight shapes her life. ‘Some days I use my fat as armour, some days it’s like a shroud’ she said then. Today Mellisa joins Jenni to listen to that interview again and consider how she feels now about her body. We’ve heard of the helicopter mum. Now here comes the snowplough. That’s the term used to describe an overprotective parent who clears anything in their path in order to ensure their child’s success. But what does this behaviour do to a child? Jenni is joined by Rebecca Glover, Principal of Surbiton High School who has created a TedX Talk ‘Do Snowplough parents remove true grit?’ and Dr Angharad Rudkin, a child psychologist. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Alex Feis-Bryce Interviewed Guest: Neil Henderson Reporter: Ena Miller Interviewed Guest: Rebecca Glover Interviewed Guest: Dr Angharad Rudkin

Jan 8, 202043 min

Trial of Harvey Weinstein, How Does Fat Feel, Mindfulness for Parents

Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial begins in New York today – two years after the first allegations against him were made public. .The Hollywood film producer who’s 67- faces five charges of rape and sexual assault involving two women. He’s pleaded not guilty. Dozens of other women have made allegations of sexual abuse and harassment against Weinstein since the publication of revelations in the New York Times in October 2017. He denies any non-consensual sex. Amanda Taub is a writer for the New York Times.In May 2018 we put out a call to our listeners, asking How Does Fat Feel? Ena Miller interviewed three of the dozens of listeners who got in touch. A woman we are calling Jules described herself as fat and said that as she got bigger her life got smaller. Her low self esteem was having an impact on her marriage and her general health was poor. Today 'Jules' joins Jane to listen again to that interview and to talk about how she feels now.Practising mindfulness can calm parents and children alike, according to Issy Judd who has written a book Mindfulness for Mums. She tells Jane about simple activities to relieve chaotic family stress, along with Sian Warriner, Consultant midwife at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who runs mindfulness courses for expectant parents.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Amanda Taub Interviewed guest: Sian Warriner Interviewed guest: Issy Judd Reporter: Ena Miller Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Jan 7, 202049 min