Woman's Hour

Having to leave a child's bedside when they're being cared for in hospital can be a huge wrench. To help reduce the separation anxiety, a third of neonatal units in the UK are now using an app that helps parents stay in touch with their premature babies 24 hours a day. Doctors and nurses can send photos and video updates to parents when they can't be with their baby in hospital. So far, around five thousand families have used the service. Emma Barnett talks to Katharine Da Costa - a reporter for BBC South and Consultant Obstetrician Dr Maggie Blott.This year saw an unprecedented number of women winning major awards and prizes. What does being a winner feel like, and is it always good to win? Jenni Murray hears from the writer Edna O'Brien who won the David Cohen Prize for Literature. The award celebrates a writer who has broken down social and sexual barriers for women in Ireland and beyond, and moved mountains both politically and lyrically through her writing.Christmas is steeped in all sorts of tradition – but it’s not just trees, tinsel and turkey. Many families have their own festive rituals and the mere idea of doing things differently would make it feel… well, just not like Christmas. But why do we get so hung up on doing Christmas a certain way - even if it doesn't make us happy? What is it about human psychology that makes tradition so attractive? And if your family festivities make you want to run away and hide, what’s the best way to break the cycle? Jenni Murray talks to Dr Cristine Legare from the University of Texas at Austin about why rituals are an inevitable part of being human.We mark the centenary of women being able to enter the legal profession. Andrea Catherwood speaks to Cherie Booth QC, Dana Denis-Smith - founder of the First 100 years, Abi Silver, a former associate at a city law firm and now a legal consultant, Beth Collette, who's a barrister in her second year of tenancy, and Mari Takayanagi - a Senior Archivist at the Houses of Parliament.The actress and writer Joanna Scanlan is known for Thick of It, Getting On, No Offence Puppy Love and most recently The Accident. Her latest role is as Mother Superior in the BBC’s new adaptation of Dracula. She joins Jenni to discuss.Plus, the Glasgow-based close harmony quartet The All Sorts perform.

The word ‘concussion’ might sound like a benign knock to the head but it can have lasting consequences. Women are particularly at risk. With all else being equal, women are two to three times more likely to experience a concussion, will have worse symptoms and take longer to recover. Dr Willie Stewart from Glasgow University has been trying to find out why – but has been hampered by the lack of female brains available to study. He’s now asking women to consider donating their brains in the name of science and understanding how sex differences affect the outcome and treatment of traumatic brain injury. Jane is also joined by Samantha Ainsworth, who talks about her experience of post-concussion syndrome. Back in October we spoke to the anti-abortion group who put up graphic posters of aborted foetuses in the constituency of the MP Stella Creasy. At the time she was heavily pregnant. The same group, called CBR UK, is now planning regular anti-abortion demonstrations at Cardiff University. They've had three of them already, just before Christmas. We speak to the student who encouraged an automatic pro-choice stance at Cardiff University, and a recent graduate who's part of a group which helps students who are against abortion to express their views. Also, Dr Pam Lowe from Aston University who has been researching attitudes to abortion at UK universities. Women are the main readers of fiction. They outnumber men in all categories of fiction bar fantasy, horror and science fiction. In her new book Why Women Read Fiction, Professor Helen Taylor draws on over 500 interviews with women readers to examine how and why women consume fiction and why reading fiction is so important to huge numbers of women. The government’s official advisers on youth justice are calling for a full review of the age of criminal responsibility. They would like it raised by at least two years to 12, as Scotland has done recently. So why do England and Wales continue to set theirs at ten despite it being the lowest in Europe? Should children as young as ten caught committing a crime receive welfare interventions rather than being dealt with by the justice system? Jane is joined by Dr Eileen Vizard, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Institute of Child Health in UCL and Louise King, Director of Policy and Campaigns, from the legal charity, Just for Kids Law.Presenter - Jane Garvey Producer - Anna Lacey Guest - Isadora Sinha Guest - Madeline Page Guest - Pam Lowe Guest - Samantha Ainsworth Guest - Willie Stewart Guest - Eileen Vizard Guest - Louise King Guest - Helen Taylor

Last weekend Lucy Edwards made history when she became the first blind person to present on Radio 1. How did she begin her career in broadcasting?After a six year battle, Charles Keidan and Rebecca Steinfeld were finally able, as a heterosexual couple, to opt for a civil partnership. They talk about how their campaign began and their plans for their future.The power of the habit that’s become entrenched. How do habits form and how easy are they to break? Author Catherine Gray on her latest book – the Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary. Plus, as the Teenage Cancer Trust reveals that nearly thirty per cent of the young people who need to be treated don’t have any discussion about the impact it might have on their fertility we ask; What difference can such a discussion make? And we look at one of the big issues of the new decade, social care.Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Rosie Stopher Editor Beverley PurcellGuest; Catherine Gray Guest; Lucy Edwards Guest; Charles Keidan Guest; Rebecca Steinfeld Guest; Dr Heather McKee Guest; Kate Raworth. Guest; Angela Saini Guest; Dr Sarah Jarvis Guest; Bea Campbell. Guest; Professor Pamela Kearns Guest; Dr Louise Soanes Guest; Ellie Waters

Tracking apps can share a friend or loved ones location with you at all times, so you always know where they are. So it's little wonder that some parents see them as an easy way to keep tabs on their teenagers. But does it stop them becoming independent? And can it ruin trust in your relationship with your children? In this week's Woman's Hour Parenting Podcast, we hear from two different perspectives. Debby Penton tells Jenni Murray why she uses location tracking apps to keep track of where her kids are, while Nicola Morgan explains why she has some concerns about the technology

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? Consultant child and educational psychologist, Laverne Antrobus explains.What is it like to have to care for young children or the elderly while facing the bushfires and extreme heat in Australia? The Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria are currently being ravaged by bushfires and temperatures exceeded 40C in every state and territory at the start of the week. How do you look after the vulnerable in such a difficult situation? On Monday’s phone-in we talked about making and breaking habits. A review of the available international research and research at the University of York looks more broadly at how science can help us understand how people makes changes to their lives . Ian Hamilton a Senior Lecturer in Addiction and Mental Health tells us more about the findings and why the impact of addiction on women is not fully understood.In 2013 Catherine Gray was at rock bottom, feeling suicidal and drinking far too much. Six years on she has made significant life changes and completed a trio of books, the first, The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, the second The Unexpected Joy of Being Single, and now, The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary. She joins Jenni to describe how she made it her mission to learn how to be default happy rather than default disgruntled. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Dr Rob Gordon Interviewed Guest: Sara Lander Interviewed Guest: Calla Wahlquist Interviewed Guest: Laverne Antrobus Interviewed Guest: Ian Hamilton Interviewed Guest: Catherine Gray

The Children’s Commissioner for England says that we need an urgent review of the care system. She is concerned that around 30,000 children in care are living miles away from friends and family, while others are living in unregulated and inadequate placements. Anne Longfield explains what she thinks needs to be done. Cancer treatment can have an impact on fertility, but a recent survey by the Teenage Cancer Trust suggests that nearly a third of young people did not have a discussion about their fertility before starting treatment. We speak to 18 year old, Ellie Waters who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer aged 14, Dr Louise Soanes, a Teenage Cancer Trust Nurse Consultant for Adolescents and Young People and Professor Pamela Kearns, a Consultant Paediatric Oncologist. Elsie Widdowson was one of the British dietitians responsible for overseeing the government-mandated addition of vitamins to food and wartime rationing in Britain during World War II. Dr Venki Ramakrishnan the President of the Royal Society tells Jenni about her achievements. Many parents see location tracking apps as an easy way to keep tabs on their teenagers. We discuss the merits and drawbacks of on keeping tabs on your teenagers.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth Watts

As we stand at the start of a new decade we look at three key issues that will shape women’s lives in the 2020s. And we hear some big ideas on how things could change.How do we tackle the crisis in social care in the next decade? Given the fundamental caring roles women perform in households, what new ways of thinking about and valuing care work might help find solutions?In women’s health - are we getting access to the right treatments and diagnosis? With the growing visibility of conditions such as endometriosis, so long down played as 'women’s troubles', we’ll ask what treatments and drugs are getting funded and why. How could science and medicine better serve women?What does the workplace of the future need to look like for women, and how do we get there? Our guests are Kate Raworth, a self-described renegade economist, the sciences author Angela Saini, GP and Clinical Director of PatientAccess.com, Dr Sarah Jarvis, and the writer and activist Beatrix Campbell.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Helen Fitzhenry Guest: Kate Raworth Guest: Angela Saini Guest: Dr Sarah Jarvis Guest: Beatrix Campbell

Civil partnerships have been in place for same-sex couples since December 2005 but as of today they're open to mixed sex couples. We hear from the campaigners, Rebecca Steinfield and Charles Keidan who first appeared on the programme nearly six years ago after they announced their intention to be civilly married in the Jewish Chronicle. Since then they've fought to be able to legally register their union. We hear from them today as they are finally able to become civil partners in the eyes of the law.Yesterday a 19 year-old woman was found guilty of lying about being gang-raped in Ayia Napa in Cyprus. She withdrew her allegation after a lengthy late night interrogation by police during which no lawyer was present. She will be sentenced next week. Women’s groups and criminal justice campaigners have expressed their concerns about the police investigation, and the judge's handling of her case. Joan Smith explains her concerns about the conviction and what is likely to happen next. Sue Elliott Nicholls has had a lot of mothers, some were hers and some she has deliberately found for herself for a little extra maternal back up. She thought it was just her thing but it turns out that spare mother-figures are more common than we might think. Lucy Edwards made history last week when she became the first blind person to present their own show on BBC Radio 1. She joins Jane to discuss her ambitions and what she's learned from her first shows.Presenter Jane Garvey. Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Rebecca Steinfield Guest; Charles Keidan Guest; Lucy Edwards Guest; Joan SmithReporter Sue Elliott Nicholls

How do you build healthy habits that you actually enjoy? How do you undo habits that have been bugging you for a life time? We want to hear from you about the decisions and actions you make every day that form the fabric of your life. Do you want to take more exercise, stop eating so much chocolate, stop shouting at your children? Would you like to stop procrastinating, bingeing on box sets and biting your nails? How about reading more books, being nicer to your partner and going to bed on time? We want to hear from you about your successes and failures in making and undoing habits. And if you’re looking for guidance Heather McKee, a behaviour change specialist, will be on hand with evidence-based strategies and advice. Phone lines are open from 0800 on Monday. The number to call is 03700 100 444. You can email now via the Woman's Hour Website.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Heather McKee Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

The Star Wars saga, which started in 1977, has come to an end with the release of Episode 9 - The Rise of Skywalker. How has the representation of women changed, throughout the generations, in one of the biggest sci-fi franchises of all time? Anna Smith is a film critic and host of the feminist film podcast Girls on Film. Victoria Upton is a member of the Norwich Star Wars Fan Club. Gabriella Geisinger is the deputy movies editor at Digital Spy.Is your pelvic floor too tight? What are the signs, what are the causes and what exercises can you do to help? Emma speaks to Maggie Blott, a consultant obstetrician at the Royal Free Hospital and Marta Kinsella, pelvic health and rehabilitation physiotherapist. For a second time, we visit Northern Ireland's second city Londonderry - the setting for the hit TV Channel 4 comedy. Reporter, Kathleen Carragher meets four ‘real life’ teenage 'Derry Girls'. They talked about a range of issues from changes to the law on abortion and equal marriage to why Nadine Coyle’s presence in the jungle on 'I’m A Celebrity' made the hearts of Derry’s teenagers swell with pride. Torrie, Sarah and Mollie all from St Mary's College in Derry and Ellee Dean is from the North West Regional College.Having to leave a child's bedside when they're being cared for in hospital can be a huge wrench. To help reduce the separation anxiety, a third of neonatal units in the UK are now using an app that helps parents stay in touch with their premature babies 24 hours a day. Doctors and nurses can send photos and video updates to parents when they can't be with their baby in hospital. So far, around five thousand families have used the service. Katharine Da Costa is a reporter for BBC South.Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Olivia CopeInterviewed Guest: Victoria Upton Interviewed Guest: Gabriella Geisinger Interviewed Guest: Anna Smith Interviewed Guest: Maggie Blott Interviewed Guest: Marta Kinsella Reporter: Kathleen Carragher Interviewed Guest: Katharine Da Costa

This year saw an unprecedented number of women winning major awards and prizes. What does being a winner feel like, and is it always good to win? Jenni Murray hears from the writer Edna O'Brien who won the David Cohen Prize for Literature. The award celebrates a writer who has broken down social and sexual barriers for women in Ireland and beyond, and moved mountains both politically and lyrically through her writing. She also hears from Khadijah Mellah who won the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood, and is the Sunday Times Young Sportswoman of the Year; Natasha Benjamin who won the Lorraine Inspirational Woman of the Year Award for her work supporting children affected by domestic violence; the educator and disability activist Sinead Burke who has achondroplasia and is on the BBC 100 Women list as one of most inspiring and influential women in the world; and Laura Smith who won this year’s Funny Women Stage Award.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Dianne McGregor

Christmas is steeped in all sorts of tradition – but it’s not just trees, tinsel and turkey. Many families have their own festive rituals and the mere idea of doing things differently would make it feel… well, just not like Christmas. But why do we get so hung up on doing Christmas a certain way - even if it doesn't make us happy? What is it about human psychology that makes tradition so attractive? And if your family festivities make you want to run away and hide, what’s the best way to break the cycle?Jenni Murray talks to Dr Cristine Legare from the University of Texas at Austin about why rituals are an inevitable part of being human, and also to listeners about their stories of change at Christmas - including starting new traditions with a baby and the family forced to break tradition thanks to a kitchen fire and a large dog...If there’s one thing that most people expect on Christmas Day, it’s a Christmas dinner. From turkey and pigs in blankets to brussels sprouts and bread sauce it's a meal that many cooks dread. But according to historian Dr Annie Gray, it doesn't have to be that way. She says that if you take the long view, the only common thread from pre-Christian winter festivals to today is ‘light fire, eat meat, get drunk.’ The actual food is completely negotiable. She also explains why we cram so much food into one day, and what social history reveals about why mum generally cooks while dad gets to carve the turkey.To top off this festive feast, Jenni is joined by the Glasgow-based close harmony quartet The All Sorts with a pick-and-mix of songs both traditional - and a little bit different.Presenter - Jenni Murray Producer - Anna LaceyInterviewed guest - Cristine Legare Interviewed guest - Annie Gray Interviewed guest - Sarah Shorter Interviewed guest - Barbara Cole Walton Interviewed guest - Amy Batalli Interviewed guest - Adele Mitchinson Interviewed guest - Louella Miles

2019 has been another eventful year in Northern Ireland's second city, Londonderry. There was the shocking murder of the young journalist Lyra McKee, shot by dissident republicans and as a border city it's been at the heart of the Brexit debate. The Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont is still deadlocked over power-sharing. On a lighter note, it has also basked in the success of the second series of the hit Channel 4 TV comedy series, Derry Girls - the raucous misadventures of a group of teenagers growing up in the 90s. So what do 'real' Derry girls, from both communities, make of the past year in their city? Kathleen Carragher spoke to four Derry women who are contemporaries of TV’s Derry Girls - they were teenagers in the 90’s The actress and writer Joanna Scanlan is known for Thick of It, Getting On, No Offence Puppy Love and most recently The Accident. Her latest role is as Mother Superior in the BBC’s new adaptation of Dracula. She joins Jenni to discuss. Christmas is upon us and whilst many of us hope to celebrate and be merry, for some it is still a time of work and support for those in ill-health. Jenni speaks to Molly Case, a clinical nurse specialist for inherited cardiac conditions at St George’s in London, and author, Christie Watson who was a nurse for 20 years until quite recently. What are the highs and lows for both patients and staff spending Christmas Day in hospital?Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All – ABBA are one of the most iconic bands of all time. 'ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition' explores their incredible career through music, lyrics, costumes and personal photos, many of which have not been previously displayed in the UK. Jane visited the exhibition and discussed their legacy for women with assistant curator, Syd Moore. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Joanna Scanlan Reporter: Kathleen Carragher Interviewed Guest: Christie Watson Interviewed Guest: Molly Case Interviewed Guest: Syd Moore

We mark the centenary of women being able to enter the legal profession. Cherie Booth QC, Dana Denis-Smith founder of the First 100 years, Abi Silver a former associate at a city law firm and now a legal consultant, Beth Collette who's a barrister in her second year of tenancy talk about what it's like for women in the profession now - how far we've come and what more needs to be done.Mari Takayanagi a Senior Archivist at the Houses of Parliament tells us about the The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 and the changes it brought in and the pioneering women who worked so hard to open up the profession to women.Plus we look at what it's like to be a female magistrate We hear from former magistrate Katherine McMahon and Jacqui MacDonald who's currently serving as a magistrate in the Central and North London area as well as being Trustee at Magistrates AssociationPresenter Andrea Catherwood Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Cherie Booth QC Guest; Dana Denis-Smith Guest; Abi Silver Guest; Beth Collette Guest; Mari Takayanagi Guest; Katherine McMahon Guest ; Jacqui MacDonald

We find out about the so-called Merry Widows of Champagne as well as the women making champagne today. Francoise Peretti, Director of Champagne Bureau UK and Joanna Simon, drinks journalist tell us more. We hear about the difficulties of being autistic and pregnant from an anonymous listener and from Lana Grant a mother with Asperger’s who's the author of From Here to Maternity: Pregnancy and Motherhood on the Autism Spectrum. Are beauty pageants still OK in 2019? To discuss is Salma Haidrani, a journalist who documented her experiences as a contestant in Miss England 2018s, Leanne Levers who's a political scientist and the journalist, Tanya Gold.Since the election last week more than 1000 women have signed up to 50:50 Parliament, registering their interest in standing as an MP. We discuss why with Lucrece Grehoua who's signed up herself and Frances Scott who set up 50:50.Single at Christmas? How do you feel about it? We talk about the benefits of the single life as well as festive dating trends with the journalist Lizzie Cernik and Rachael Floyd from eHarmony.And the big Boxing Day film will be Little Women. We talk to its director Greta Gerwig. Presented by: Jenni Murray Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Siobhann Tighe

Jo March has been an inspiration for many women over the 150 years since Louisa May Alcott’s 'Little Women' was first published in 1869. Greta Gerwig is the director of the latest film version, to be released on Boxing Day - and it's already been highly praised, Greta talks about her life-long love for the character of Jo and her passion for bringing her to the big screen. Marlene Hobsbawm and Ursula Owen have recently published their memoirs, Meet Me in Buenos Aires and Single Journey Only. Both women are in their eighties and both were born to Jewish emigres families who settled in England before the Second World War. They both married at a young age, by the standards of today, to men on the political left. Both loved music and both adored their children. But, there are also significant differences. Marlene was married to one man for 50 years. Ursula had many significant relationships. Work and feminism played a large part in Ursula’s life. Marlene established her music career much later on. They join Jenni to discuss their memoirs. And, Signe Johansen’s new book 'Spirited: How to create easy, fun drinks at home' attempts to opens up the world of cocktails to everyone and celebrates coming together over drinks. She joins Jenni in the studio to make an Oolong, Whisky and Spice Punch.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth Watts

Since last week's Election, a thousand women have signed up with 50:50 Parliament to register their interest in standing as an MP next time. What's inspiring them to get involved ?For the last five years, Annie Norman has been on a mission to make women more visible in the wargaming world. She tells us about the inspiration behind her latest collection of minitures.Professor Usha Goswami, an expert on children’s language development on how much babies understand, and why rhythm so important for developing language skills.And if keeping up with all the festive celebrations is getting too much, tips on how to avoid "social burnout".Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Professor Usha Goswami Guest; Annie Norman Guest; Frances Scott, Guest; Lucrece Grehoua Guest; Olivia Petter Guest; Louise Tyler.

Champagne goes with Christmas! So who are the women behind the big brands, past and present? We're talking to Françoise Peretti, Director of the Champagne Bureau UK, as well as Joanna Simon. drinks journalist.Nurses in Northern Ireland are on strike today and over 90% of nurses there are women. They're on strike to get the same pay as colleagues in other parts of the UK and get better staffing levels. But Northern Ireland's healthcare system is in trouble and 300,000 people are waiting to see a consultant according to figures from the Department of Health. We hear from Rita Devlin from the RCN in Belfast.We're looking at pregnancy and early motherhood if you have autism. One of our listeners got in touch explaining how hard the whole experience can be. We hear her story and then speak to Lana Grant, who's a mother of six and also has autism. She advises midwives on how to help pregnant mums with autism, like our listener.And Part 3 of our series on Amsterdam's Red Light District.

People with ADHD are more likely to have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for healthy brain function. This led to fish oils being tested as a possible treatment - but results have been very mixed. Consultant psychiatrist Prof Carmine Pariante from King's College London talks to Jane Garvey about why they work for some people and not others. She's also joined by Prof Ilina Singh of Oxford University, who reveals what children with ADHD think about using medication to control their symptoms.

Worzel Gummidge is back this Christmas with a remake of the classic books by Barbara Euphan Todd. Vicki Pepperdine - star of ‘Getting On’ and podcast ‘Dear Joan and Jericha’ - plays the fairground doll Aunt Sally. But this is a very different character from the rosy-cheeked femme fatale made famous by Una Stubbs. How has the story been updated for the modern day? What’s it like to spend hours having your head wrapped in latex? And what’s the attraction to playing female roles that defy expectation?For the first time, five major beauty pageants - Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA - have been won by black women. People around the world have seen this as a milestone in representation. But are beauty pageants still relevant and necessary in 2019? And can these competitions be feminist? Salma Haidrani is a journalist who documented her experiences as a contestant in Miss England’s 2018 heats. Tanya Gold is a journalist at the Guardian. Leanne Levers is a political scientist.There are currently six women being discussed as a future Labour leader: Jess Phillips, Lisa Nandy, Emily Thornberry, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Angela Rayner and Yvette Cooper. How likely is it that the Labour Party will select a woman? And what do Labour’s women voters want from the party’s next leader – both those who voted for them this time – and, those who cast their vote elsewhere?Presenter - Jane Garvey Producer - Anna Lacey Interviewed guest - Vicki Pepperdine Interviewed guest - Salma Haidrani Interviewed guest - Tanya Gold Interviewed guest - Leanne Levers Interviewed guest - Helen Lewis Interviewed guest - Helen Pidd

Being single at Christmas – do you love it or loathe it? And what does it mean to be “marleyed” or “scrooged”? We discuss embracing singledom and festive dating trends with journalist Lizzie Cernik and dating expert Rachael Lloyd. Finland’s new government is young and led by women. Last week, Sanna Marin was sworn into office, making her the world's youngest prime minister at the age of 34. She will lead a centre-left coalition with four other parties, all headed by women, three of whom are under 35. We hear from Li Andersson, the Finnish Minister of Education. And journalist Ndela Faye and Emilie Gardberg, Director of the Finnish Institute join us in the studio to discuss. ADHD is a common disorder that affects around one in twenty children. Previous research has shown that children with ADHD are more likely to be deficient in omega-3, but there was conflicting evidence that taking fish oils could help symptoms – until now. Prof Carmine Pariante from King’s College London talks about his latest study, and Prof Ilina Singh from Oxford University discusses ADHD treatment from the child’s perspective as well as the importance of taking alternative treatments seriously. Femke Halsema is Amsterdam’s first female mayor and she says she wants to make sex work in the red light district safer. Four main options are being considered including closing the windows in which women work and moving the red light district altogether. A consultation has been carried out and Ena Miller went to Amsterdam to canvass the opinions of sex workers, campaigners, a brothel owner, residents and tourists about the Mayor’s plans. Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Li Andersson Interviewed Guest: Ndela Faye Interviewed Guest: Emilie Gardberg Interviewed Guest: Lizzie Cernik Interviewed Guest: Rachael Lloyd Interviewed Guest: Professor Ilina Singh Interviewed Guest: Professor Carmine Pariante Reporter: Ena Miller

The artist Alison Lapper talks about her latest exhibition featuring a painting of her son Parys who died this summer aged just 19.Why is there a shortage of HRT in the UK? The investigative journalist Emma Hartley who writes for the online magazine Tortoise told us what she has discovered.The first British astronaut Helen Sharman, Dr Varsha Jain, a gynaecological researcher interested in the impact of spaceflight and zero gravity on the human body, and Liz Seward, a senior space strategist at Airbus, discuss the future of women in space.We hear about the case involving Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been defending her country against allegations of genocide at the UN International Court of Justice in the Hague. Our correspondent in The Hague Anna Holligan tells us the latest.How should parents talk to teenagers about losing their virginity? Flo Perry the author of How to have Feminist Sex and Rachel Fitzsimmons, the sex educator and lecturer in sexual health at the University of Lancashire discuss.Three students Bukunmi, Osose and Hannah discuss the impact of ‘racist’ hair regulations at their school Townley Grammer in London. Their English Teacher Lauren Binks talks about how she worked with students to get rid of the hair regulations and Emma Dabiri the author of ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ talks the history and politics around black hair.Presented by: Jane Garvey Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Beverley Purcell

What does the result of the 2019 General Election mean for women? What do we know about how women voted yesterday and what do we know about those women who were elected? We discuss the winners and losers – and how the result will shape the issues that women are affected by in the next parliament with Sarah Childs, Professor of Politics and Gender at Birkbeck, University of London; Alice Thomson, Associate Editor at The Times; Ash Sarkar, Contributing Editor Novara Media and, Dr Rosalind Shorocks, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Manchester. Back in August Woman’s Hour talked about the current shortage of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and what you should you do if your normal supply of HRT tablets, skin patches or gels is unavailable. Investigative journalist, Emma Hartley, decided to find out for Tortoise Media why the shortage existed and why it predominantly affects the UK. She joins Jane to explain what she discovered. And Singin’in The Rain, An American In Paris, On The Town - all those technicolour musicals often on over Christmas, and all starring Gene Kelly. His widow is Patricia Ward Kelly. She talks about why she wants everyone to remember him and his work.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Ruth Watts

How should you talk to your teenagers about losing their virginity? How do you even approach the topic with them? Jenni Murray is joined by Flo Perry, the author of ‘How to have Feminist Sex’, and Rachel Fitzsimmons, sex educator and lecturer in sexual health at the University of Central Lancashire. They have plenty of tips on how to have these often difficult conversations when the time is right.

To many Elizabeth I was only ever a kingless Queen, an unmarried woman and a childless virgin. To others she was a political mastermind, a monarchic powerhouse and a resolute survivor. Playwright, Ella Hickson's talks about her new take on the Queen in her play Swive, now on stage at the Sam Wannamaker theatre in London. How do women in power negotiate patriarchal pressure in order to get their way?How do you as a parent talk to your teenagers about losing their virginity? Flo Perry author of 'How To Have Feminist Sex' and Rachel Fitzsimmons, sex educator and lecturer in sexual health at the University of Central Lancashire with advice and tips on how to navigate the conversation. Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been defending her country against allegations of genocide at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague. The latest from our Correspondent Anna Holligan. Thousands of parents are turning to so called "BabyBanks" to feed and clothe their children. They work in exactly the same way as a food bank. You're referred by your midwife or social worker and you can pick up donated items, essentials equipment like cots and prams and more everyday things like wipes and nappies. Henrietta Harrison went to meet some families using a bank in South London.Presenter Jenni Murray Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Flo Perry Guest; Rachel Fitzsimmons Guest; Ella Hickson Reporter; Henrietta Harrison

What is the future of spaceflight? In October, the first all-female spacewalk was conducted by Christina Koch and Jessica Meir, as they made repairs to the exterior of the International Space Station. As space missions become easier to conduct, the novelty of an all-female astronaut team will wear off. But there are still some barriers to women astronauts. To discuss the importance of diversity in space, Jane speaks to the first British astronaut, Helen Sharman, who visited Mir, the Russian space station, in 1991. Alongside Helen is Dr Varsha Jain, a gynaecological researcher interested in the physiological impact of spaceflight and zero gravity on human physiology, and Liz Seward a senior space strategist at Airbus discussing when humanity will colonise the moon and when the first woman will set foot on Mars. Femke Halsema is Amsterdam’s first female mayor and she says she wants to make sex work in the red light district safer. The plan is to crack down on human trafficking and the humiliation women working in windows face from tourists. Four main options are being considered including closing the windows in which women work and moving the red light district altogether. A consultation has been carried out and Ena Miller went to Amsterdam to canvass the opinions of sex workers, campaigners, a brothel owner, residents and tourists about the Mayor’s plans. A record numbers of women are standing for Parliament in the upcoming General Election - making up about a third of candidates. But where are the high profile women? Have we seen enough prominent female voices on screen and in the debates? And what impact is this having? We hear from Anne McElvoy, Senior Editor at The Economist and Alice Thomson, Associate Editor and columnist at The Times.Presenter: Jane Garvey Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Dr Varsha Jain Interviewed Guest: Helen Sharman Interviewed Guest: Liz Seward Reporter: Ena Miller Interviewed Guest: Alice Thomson Interviewed Guest: Anne McElvoy

You’ll probably know Alison Lapper. There used to be a huge marble statue of her in Trafalgar Square and it showed her 8 months pregnant, with no arms and short legs. That’s because Alison has a condition called phocomelia. This summer her son, Parys, died. He was 19, and had been struggling with mental health problems and drugs. Alison is an artist and she has an exhibition on right now. One of her pictures is of her son, but that wasn't the intention, she says, when she was painting it.It's International Human Rights Day. We're focusing on the women and girls in migrant camps in Greece, where conditions are dangerous and risky. Sexual harassment and gender-based violence are problems as well as food and water shortages and poor sanitation. Hillary Margolis of Human Rights Watch has been there recently.Poet and novelist Helen Mort has written a story called Weaning. It's part of an anthology called The Book of Sheffield. It's about a mother who stops breastfeeding and the impact it has on her mental health. It's also about feeling disconnected from the city of Sheffield as well as herself. Helen tells Jane how her own experience of weaning has inspired the story.

With the recent gang rape and brutal murder of a young woman in India, and news this week of another woman being set alight on her way to give evidence at her rape trial, we consider the longstanding issue of sexual violence again women in the country. In 1979 divers were working hard, excavating the contents of Mary Rose, Henry VIII's war ship. Over the next 3 years more than 19,000 artefacts were brought to the surface. Forty years on, we speak to one of the divers, Dr Alexzandra Hildred, who went on to become Head of Research at the Mary Rose Trust. How can you have a green Christmas if you're on a budget? We discuss eco and budget friendly ways to gift, decorate and socialise. The first in our series about eminent women scientists: Medical pioneer, Dame Janet Vaughan whose wartime research saw advances in treatments of blood transfusion, starvation, radiation and anaemia. She later held the position of Principal of Somerville College, Oxford for over 20 years and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1979.

The U.N. Secretary-General issued a dire warning this week. He said that the international effort to stop climate change has been “utterly inadequate.” What are you doing to have a greener Christmas when it comes to the food you eat? Are you considering a more sustainable alternative to turkey for Christmas lunch? We hear from the food writer and campaigner, Jack Monroe, the journalist, Nina Pullman and Jenny Costa from Rubies in the Rubble.The President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Professor Lesley Regan, is calling for a bold approach to transform women’s health services. She tells us about her ambitions.Dr Jessica Wade, a British physicist, tells us why she's made it her mission to include more women in Wikipedia. She's added pages for more than 800 women in STEM and tells us about some of the obstacles she's faced.Four leading women politicians debate the ongoing problem of child poverty in the UK. We hear from Helen Whately from the Conservatives, Laura Pidcock from Labour, Dr Sarah Wollaston of the Liberal Democrats and Deidre Brock from the SNP.How difficult is it to raise your children as multi-lingual when you’re the only person who speaks your mother tongue? We hear from Mercy Haruna, the presenter of the podcast Parentland who's trying to teach her children Igala and from Gbemi Isimi the founder of Culture Tree, who's got a Nigerian Yoruba background.After a long campaign by #FreePeriods, the government has agreed to fund a scheme providing free sanitary products in primary and secondary schools from this January. Gemma Abbott, a campaigner for #FreePeriods, tells us how the opt-in scheme will work and Nadia Collier, a family support worker at a London primary school, tells us how The Red Box Project has been working at her school.Presented by: Jenni Murray Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Siobhann Tighe

We continue our series of interviews with party leaders looking at what the political parties are doing to win women’s votes. Today it’s Jo Swinson, leader of the Liberal Democrats.Plus we hear from a trafficked woman now living in a safe house and the new Anti-Slavery Commissioner Dame Sara Thornton, charged with listening to those brought into the UK to be used as slaves or to work in the sex trade.Producer Beverley Purcell Presenter Emma BarnettGuest; Jo Swinson Guest; Dame Sara Thornton

Tash Speed, 25, is one of 20 women who work as a Eurotunnel driver in the UK. recently appearing on the BBC2 documentary celebrating its 25th anniversary. Originally a financial advisor, she retrained in a vigorous driving and engineering course with a 90% fail rate. What are the unique challenges of driving trains for the busiest rail system in the world, which includes operating the “dead man’s pedal”?Andrea Catherwood speaks to Grainne Teggart, from Amnesty Northern Ireland and writer, Siobhan Fenton. What are the key issues for women in Northern Ireland in the upcoming General Election?After a long campaign from #FreePeriods, the Government agreed to fund a scheme to ensure all primary and secondary schools and colleges provided free period products to menstruating pupils. This was meant to start rolling out in September 2019 but has now been pushed back to January 2020. It is an opt-in scheme and so schools and colleges must sign up to receive free sanitary products. Gemma Abbott is a campaigner for FreePeriods and volunteer from the charity The Red Box Project, and Nadia Collier is a family support worker at a primary school in London, who has first-hand experience of how important these free period products can be.Most Wikipedia profiles are of men. A British physicist has made it her mission to change that, adding pages for more than 800 women in STEM. But who really decides who is notable enough to be included in the encyclopedia? Dr Jess Wade explains her quest for diversity and equality online, and the real-life impact it can have on the careers of women scientists. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Grainne Teggart Interviewed Guest: Siobhan Fenton Interviewed Guest: Tash Speed Photographer: Matthew Wheeler Interviewed Guest: Gemma Abbott Interviewed Guest: Nadia Collier Interviewed Guest: Dr Jess Wade

How do you raise multilingual children? And what happens when your first language isn't very common where you live? Language is one of the things that can help you stay connected to your heritage but raising a child to speak two or more languages can be harder than it sounds. We hear from two Nigerian mums: one who speaks Igala and the other Yoruba.

With us this morning are five leading women from political parties, ready to debate the issues that are important to you in this General Election. We want to hear from you. If you’d like to ask a question you can call us on 03700 100 444. And on social media you can join the debate on twitter @bbcwomanshour using the hashtag #whdebate. Or you can email us via the website. Jane Garvey will be putting those questions to Helen Whately, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism and Conservative Candidate; Laura Pidcock, Shadow Secretary for Employment Rights and Labour Party candidate for Durham North West; Dr Sarah Wollaston, Liberal Democrat candidate, Deidre Brock, candidate for the Scottish National Party and Belinda de Lucy, Brexit Party MEP for South East England.

Sian Berry is co-leader of the Green Party. The Greens have seen a rise in support at local and European elections, and polling experts say they’ve had success in attracting younger women voters. How do they plan to win further seats at Westminster and promote green policies in their manifesto? We ask Sian Berry what the Greens are offering women that other parties aren't. Liz Saville Roberts is Plaid Cymru’s leader at Westminster. She's wants to stop a New Deal Brexit, and her party has formed an electoral pact with the Lib Dems and the Greens. That means they're not going to stand against each other in certain seats. She's a supporter of the Unite to Remain Pact saying that it would be the “easiest thing under the sun” for all parties to “go back to the comforts of tribalism”. She tells us what her party is offering women in Wales.How do you raise multilingual children? And what happens when your first language isn't very common where you live? Language is one of those things that help you stay connected to your heritage but raising a child to speak two or more languages can be harder than it sounds. We hear from two Nigerian mums: one who speaks Igala and the other Yoruba. Women are facing “unacceptable barriers” to essential healthcare services. That's according to a new report published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Their survey of 3,000 plus women in the UK shows that many are struggling to access basic healthcare like contraception and menopause support. The Better for Women report says there needs to be a national strategy to meet the needs of girls and women throughout their life: from being a teenager, being middle-aged and then older. Professor Lesley Regan, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, joins us in the studio.

As the EU declares a global ‘climate and environmental emergency’ will you be changing your food habits this Christmas ? Will you ditch the turkey for a more sustainable alternative, buy less and consider food miles when you shop? How will you reduce the amount of food waste over the holiday period? Jane is joined by Jack Monroe the food writer and campaigner, Journalist Nina Pullman and Jenny Costa from the company Rubies in the Rubble.Glass Walls is a stained-glass art installation which raises awareness of domestic abuse through art. The installation is now being exhibited around Scotland. Dr Emma Forbes is a lawyer who created Glass Walls and has spent the last three years speaking to women about their experience of the justice process and researching Scotland’s response to domestic abuse. She joins Jane to discuss along with Sarah, a domestic abuse survivor who got involved with the project. Male supremacy, for all its ubiquity, is surprisingly recent, according to the science writer Gaia Vince. In her new book ‘Transcendence’ she tells how there is compelling evidence that patriarchal societies date back less than 10,000 years. She joins Jane to talk about her research and her belief that humans probably evolved as an egalitarian species, remaining that way for hundreds of thousands of years.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Jack Monroe Interviewed guest: Nina Pullman Interviewed guest: Jenny Costa Interviewed guest: Emma Forbes Interviewed guest: Gaia Vince Producer: Lucinda Montefiore