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BBC Radio 4

Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.

Listen to our new series of conversations, The Woman's Hour Guide to Life, on BBC Sounds - your toolkit for the juggle, struggle and everything in between: www.bbc.co.uk/guidetolife

Woman's Hour

We’ve heard about the placebo effect, when belief in a treatment makes us feel better, but what do you know about the nocebo effect? It’s when our negative expectations of a treatment, medicine or procedure - or even mistrust of our health care services - can actually make us feel worse. And it’s a growing area of scientific research. Professor Giuliana Mazzoni from the Department of Psychodynamics and Clinical Psychology at the University of Rome and Dr Annabel Sowemimo, NHS Consultant in Sexual & Reproductive Health tell us more. 

A landmark change to the Family Courts has been announced today - the court will no longer work on the presumption that having contact with both parents is in the best interest of the child. Domestic abuse campaigners have said the move will save children's lives. Nuala McGovern talks to Claire Throssel MBE, one of the campaigners who has driven this change. In October 2014, her two sons, Jack, who was 12, and Paul, who was nine, were deliberately killed by their father. He had been awarded five hours weekly access to the boys despite Claire's warnings that he was a danger to them. 

Earlier this month, for the first time, every match across England’s top two tiers of women’s football was photographed exclusively by female photographers. So how important is it that breakthrough moments in women's sport are captured and told through the eyes of women? We speak to Eileen Langsley, a pioneering sports photographer who has captured moments from some of the world’s biggest sporting events over the last five decades, and Morgan Harlow, who was part of the all-female photography team for the Women's Super League.

Long queues for the toilets are something women are very used to, whilst often watching the men dash in and out quickly. We speak to two women who are trying to resolve this issue, Amber Probyn and Hazel McShane, who have invented flat packed ‘female urinals’. They have already been deployed at Glastonbury and the London Marathon. They've just secured almost £1m investment, enabling them to take their invention around the world.

The Nocebo effect, Women sports photographers, Parental involvement in family courts

Two sexual abuse survivors have resigned from their roles on the national inquiry into grooming gangs. Fiona Goddard and Ellie Reynolds both stood down from the victims' liaison panel which was overseeing the process. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in the summer that there would be a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs covering England and Wales. Ellie Reynolds joins Nuala McGovern.

Lily King is the award winning writer of six novels. She talks to Nuala about her latest work - a love story set on a university campus exploring early experiences of romance, emotional risk, temptation and loss. 

Women’s health academics at University College London are calling for an education programme to combat misinformation and unregulated advice on the menopause.Their study found that millions of women are being exploited by what they call the ‘menopause gold rush’ amid a lack of reliable information. The lead author of the study is Professor Joyce Harper, from UCL’s Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health - she and presenter and journalist Kirsty Wark discuss.

'Ice Queen' Eve Muirhead is considered a titan of British Sport. She became the first woman to captain a British team to Olympic Gold in curling and is the Chef De Mission for Team GB at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. She discusses the significance of this being the first time a British team has reached 47% female participation and she also talks about her recently published memoir.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Kirsty Starkey

Grooming gangs, Eve Muirhead, Lily King, Menopause

The government has announced an independent inquiry into repeated failings in maternity services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Earlier this year, a BBC investigation revealed that the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers over the past five years at the Trust could perhaps have been avoided. BBC correspondent Divya Talwar joins Nuala McGovern, alongside Lauren Caulfield and Amarjit Kaur Matharoo, who both tragically lost their babies while receiving care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.
 
This month, the Ironman World Championships were held in Kona, Hawaii, where Britain’s Kat Matthews won silver. The men’s and women’s championships, previously held simultaneously, were split into separate events in 2023. However, they are set to reunite next year. Questions have been raised about the impact this change may have on female competitors. To discuss the championships and celebrate Kat’s achievement, Nuala is joined by Kat Matthews and Jordan Blanco, a contributor to Triathlete magazine who attended the event.
 
A new report reveals that progress towards gender equity in the architecture profession still remains too slow. Inequalities remain deeply rooted — with pay disparities, toxic and exclusionary workplace cultures, and half of female respondents surveyed said they had been bullied, and a third had experienced sexual harassment at work. Nuala hears from Valerie Vaughan-Dick, Chief Executive of Royal Institute of British Architects, and Helen Lee who was the project architect on a social housing development in London for the elderly which has just won this year’s Stirling Prize for Architecture.
 
The Essex witch trials represent one of the darkest chapters in British history. A new Sky History series, Witches of Essex, revisits the real lives of women accused of witchcraft in the 16th and 17th centuries, drawing on newly examined court records and the latest historical research. Historian Dr Eleanor Janega joins Nuala to discuss.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern 
Producer: Dianne McGregor

Maternity services inquiry, Women in architecture, Witches

Half of working dads feel nervous asking for time off to care for their children, more than 20% have been asked ‘where’s your wife/partner?’ when requesting flexibility and 44% say employers treat mothers more favourably in terms of flexible working. These are the findings of a new study ‘Barriers to Equal Parenting’ by the charity Working Families. Nuala McGovern is joined by Elliott Rae founder of Parenting Out Loud and Penny East, chief executive of the Fawcett Society.

Tilda Swinton is one of the UK’s most singular and celebrated performers. Over four decades she has delivered unforgettable and varied screen performances, notably Orlando, The Chronicles of Narnia, Michael Clayton and Asteroid City and collaborated with artists and filmmakers. She joins Anita Rani to talk about a new exhibition in Amsterdam celebrating her work and the enduring relationships that have inspired her.

There is a new film out now in cinemas called I Swear. It is inspired by the life and experiences of John Davidson, and charts his journey from a misunderstood teenager in 1980s Britain to a present-day advocate for greater understanding of Tourette syndrome. John was also featured in a BBC documentary back in 1989 called John's Not Mad. There is more recognition of the syndrome now, singers Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish have both openly talked about living with Tourette's and it's estimated over 300,000 children and adults in the UK have it. The key features are tics which cause people to make sudden, involuntary sounds and movements. To hear more about the condition and how it impacts women and girls Nuala talks to Wilamena Dyer, musician and Tourette syndrome advocate and Dr Tara Murphy, Consultant psychologist in the NHS, and Trustee of the support and research charity Tourettes Action.

Karen Carney is one of the most capped female footballers for England. The former Lioness joins Anita to talk about how she is using Strictly to help her 'rebuild confidence' after being 'crushed' by the sexist abuse she faced as a football pundit and her vision to improve women’s sport.

Bobbi Brown is a make-up artist turned entrepreneur who created her now famous eponymous line in 1990. Her fresh-faced approach went against 80s and 90s trends at the time for bright colour and contouring and instead aimed to celebrate and enhance women’s natural beauty. She made millions selling her brand to Estée Lauder and has gone on to create a new multimillion brand. On the release of her memoir, she joins Nuala to talk about her life and work.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Simon Richardson

Weekend Woman's Hour: Tilda Swinton, Dads at work, Karen Carney, Living with Tourette Syndrome, Bobbi Brown

Tilda Swinton is one of the UK’s most singular and celebrated performers. Over four decades she has delivered unforgettable and varied screen performances, notably Orlando, The Chronicles of Narnia, Michael Clayton and Asteroid City and collaborated with artists and filmmakers. She joins Anita Rani to talk about a new exhibition in Amsterdam celebrating her work and the enduring relationships that have inspired her.

According to the latest data, homelessness is rising. Over 130,000 households were in temporary accommodation in June, up 7.6% from last year. Charities warn that women are underrepresented in the data, as they often face different challenges to men. The Women’s Rough Sleeping Census, now in its fourth year, aims to address this. Rebecca Goshawk, Director of Business Development at Solace Women's Aid, joins Anita to discuss it. 

Named after pioneering racing driver Gwenda Stewart, Gwenda’s Garage was a real place: where three female mechanics defied the odds by setting up their own garage in Sheffield in the 1980s. Their inspiring story is now a musical on stage in Sheffield which is based on these true events, of women fighting everyday sexism, homophobia and Section 28. Anita is joined by Roz Wollen, one of the co-founders of the original Gwenda’s Garage and Val Regan, the production’s composer and musical director.

The FCA has called on banks and payment firms to bring in stricter controls protecting customers from romance fraud after a study showed a number of missed “red flags” that led to people losing huge sums of money to people creating fake online profiles. They found that women tended to sustain these relationships for longer which could mean a bigger scam. Anita speaks to Beth Harris, Head of Financial Crime at the Financial Conduct Authority to ask how we can be aware of these scams and avoid them, and what banks should be doing to assist.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Corinna Jones

Tilda Swinton, Homelessness, Gwenda's Garage Musical, Romance Scams

A major UK group litigation has been launched against Johnson & Johnson, involving approximately 3,000 claimants who allege they developed cancers due to asbestos-contaminated talc products. The company is accused of negligence and deceit. Johnson & Johnson deny the allegations. The BBC Health reporter, Chloe Hayward, joins Anita Rani to talk about what is known so far.

Surrogacy and its impact is the subject of a new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem. In 2023, the global surrogacy market was valued at nearly $15 billion and is projected to reach almost $100 billion in the next eight years. Here in the UK commercial surrogacy is illegal - surrogacy has to be altruistic, meaning only expenses are paid for and the motivation behind it is typically helping someone else. It is legal, however, to have a child in another country where the rules may differ. To discuss the ethics of the practice, Anita is joined by Reem Alsalem and Sarah Jones, CEO of Surrogacy UK.

Karen Carney is one of the most capped female footballers for England. The former Lioness joins Anita to talk about how she is using Strictly to help her 'rebuild confidence' after being 'crushed' by the sexist abuse she faced as a football pundit and her vision to improve women’s sport.

Children with special educational needs from low-income families are facing major inequalities in access to support, according to a new report out today from the Sutton Trust. Anita is joined by Charlotte O’Regan, Senior Schools Engagement Manager at the Sutton Trust, lead author of the report Double Disadvantage, to talk about its findings. 

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt

Global surrogacy, Karen Carney, Low-income & SEND, Talc trial

Only about 20% of UK tech workers are women. That's from a study by WeAreTechWomen & management consultants Oliver Wyman, which also found between 40,000 and 60,000 women leave the UK’s tech sector every year, costing the economy an estimated £2 to £3.5 billion annually. Across the UK this week, a series of events is taking place celebrating British women in tech and Nuala McGovern talks to Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall, as well as the BBC Technology Editor Zoe Kleinman, to discuss the state of the industry with regards to women. 

There is a new film out now in cinemas called I Swear. It is inspired by the life and experiences of John Davidson, and charts his journey from a misunderstood teenager in 1980s Britain to a present-day advocate for greater understanding of Tourette syndrome. John was also featured in a BBC documentary back in 1989 called John's Not Mad. There is more recognition of the syndrome now, singers Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish have both openly talked about living with Tourette's and it's estimated over 300,000 children and adults in the UK have it. The key features are tics which cause people to make sudden, involuntary sounds and movements. To hear more about the condition and how it impacts women and girls Nuala talks to Wilamena Dyer, musician and Tourette syndrome advocate and Dr Tara Murphy, Consultant psychologist in the NHS, and Trustee of the support and research charity Tourettes Action. 

It's taken a few hundred years but we may now know the identity of the Girl with the Pearl Earring. It is one of the world's most recognisable paintings and art historian and critic Andrew Graham-Dixon has been on a quest, which we find out about in his new book, Vermeer: A Life Lost and Found. He spent years exploring the archives of Vermeer’s home town in the Netherlands and tells Nuala what he has discovered. 

A three-year study has found that specially designed singing classes can help treat mothers with postnatal depression. Scientists at King's College London analysed the effects of a ten-week singing programme in south London on women at risk of the condition, and found they continued to see long-term benefits compared with those attending other play classes. Researchers say the groups could be a cost effective NHS treatment when mental health services are stretched. Nuala is joined by Professor Carmine Pariante from King's College who led the research and Jay Hayson, mum of 8 month old Ezra who finished the 10 week course run by Breathe Melody for Mums in August this year. 

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Andrea Kidd

Liz Kendall MP, Women & Tourette Syndrome, Andrew Graham-Dixon, Singing to help postnatal depression

Bobbi Brown is a make-up artist turned entrepreneur who created her now famous eponymous line in 1990. Her fresh-faced approach went against 80s and 90s trends at the time for bright colour and contouring and instead aimed to celebrate and enhance women’s natural beauty. She made millions selling her brand to Estée Lauder and has gone on to create a new multimillion brand. On the release of her memoir, she joins Nuala McGovern to talk about her life and work.

The family courts are failing to take domestic abuse seriously despite it featuring in nine out of 10 cases, according to a new report. The report reviewed hundreds of cases and found that judges sent children to stay with a potentially unsafe parent in more than half of them. It said safeguarding concerns were often downplayed or ignored in court. Nuala speaks to Nicole Jacobs, domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales, who instigated this research.

A powerful new short film, 22+1, premieres tonight at the BFI London Film Festival during Baby Loss Awareness Week. Written by Pippa Vosper and directed by Pippa Bennett-Warner, it follows Ruby, played by Bennett-Warner, as she loses her baby 22 weeks plus one day into the pregnancy. Drawing on Vosper’s personal experience of baby loss and Bennett-Warner’s lived experience as a black woman, the film shines a light on the inequalities faced by black women in maternity care. They both join Nuala in the studio.

Last week, we looked at what impact the Women's Summer of Sport could have on grassroots participation. Today we look at the economic impact. Can women's sport call itself big business now? Something that many say will be crucial to its continued growth whilst others say it may risk losing its heart that makes different from men's sport. Joining Nuala to discuss is Dr Christina Philippou, associate professor in accounting and sport finance at the University of Portsmouth, and Sam Agini, sports business correspondent at the Financial Times.

Bobbi Brown, Domestic abuse & family courts, Black maternal health film

Half of working dads feel nervous asking for time off to care for their children, more than 20% have been asked ‘where’s your wife/partner?’ when requesting flexibility and 44% say employers treat mothers more favourably in terms of flexible working. These are the findings of a new study ‘Barriers to Equal Parenting’ by the charity Working Families. Nuala McGovern is joined by Elliott Rae founder of Parenting Out Loud and Penny East, chief executive of the Fawcett Society.

In 2012, Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old Kenyan woman and mother, was found dead in a septic tank near a British army base in central Kenya. More than a decade later, no one has been charged with her killing. Last month, a Kenyan High Court issued an arrest warrant for a British national suspected of her murder. We hear from Agnes’ niece, Esther who is here in London today meeting with the Ministry of Defence calling for answers and for someone to be held responsible. 

Today would have been Baroness Margaret Thatcher’s 100th birthday. Britain's Prime Minister for almost 12 years, she was the first woman ever to hold that position. Adored and revered by many, grudgingly respected by others, reviled by some on the left & criticised by feminists for doing little for women, can her legacy be clearly defined? To discuss Nuala is joined by Baroness Gillian Shephard who served in the ‘Iron Lady’s’ first government and Sarah Childs, Professor of Gender and Politics at the University of Edinburgh.

Over the weekend, we heard that the Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton died at the age of 79. Bette Midler called her "brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary", Goldie Hawn said "You never liked praise, so humble, but now you can’t tell me to ‘shut up’ honey. There was, and will be, no one like you.” They were two of her co-stars in the huge 1996 film the First Wives Club.... but Diane Keaton made her name decades before in American film classics such as Annie Hall, The Godfather, Reds. Victoria Moss, freelance fashion and lifestyle journalist and Leila Latif, film critic, discuss her impact.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Kirsty Starkey

Dads and working flexibly, Baroness Margaret Thatcher centenary, Diane Keaton legacy

100m sprinter Bebe Jackson, 19, won a bronze medal on her debut at the IPC World Para Athletics Championships in Delhi, India, last week. Bebe was born with congenital talipes equinovarus, widely known as club foot, and when she’s not competing for Britain, she works nights caring for children with complex disabilities. She tells Anita Rani how she does it.

In Sally Wainwright’s new BBC drama Riot Women, a group of women in mid-life escape the pressures of caring for parents and kids - and the menopause - by forming a rock band. Rosalie Craig stars as the incredible singer that brings them together. Anita Rani talks to Sally and actor Rosalie about the power of female friendship.

Nuala McGovern talks to the French philosopher Manon Garcia. Manon watched the court proceedings of the Pelicot case in France, in which Dominique Pelicot and 46 other men were found guilty of the rape of Dominique’s wife Gisèle. In her book Living with Men, she examines French and other societies in light of the case and questions what more needs to be done.

When you think about music from 500 years ago, you might picture monks chanting, or the voices of choirboys, but what’s been largely forgotten over the course of history is that some of the most striking music during this time was being written and sung by nuns, hidden away in convents across Europe. Nuala speaks to Laurie Stras, Director of Musica Secreta, an all-female renaissance ensemble.

Elon Musk's Artificial Intelligence company xAI recently introduced two sexually explicit chatbots. He's a high-profile presence in a growing field where developers are banking on users interacting and forming intimate relationships with the AI chatbots. Nuala McGovern speaks to journalist Amelia Gentleman, who has just returned from an adult industry conference in Prague, where she saw a sharp rise in new websites offering an increasingly realistic selection of AI girlfriends, and Gina Neff, Professor of Responsible AI at the Queen Mary University of London, who tells us what this means for women.

EastEnders actor Kellie Bright took part in a Woman’s Hour special last year which asked whether the SEND system is working for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Tonight Kellie presents a special one-hour BBC Panorama. Drawing on her own experience as the mother of an autistic son, she investigates how parents navigate the complex system to secure the right help at school. Kellie joins Nuala McGovern to talk about what she found.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Simon Richardson

Weekend Woman's Hour: Sally Wainwright, Kellie Bright, AI girlfriends, lessons from the Pelicot trial

Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.

27/07/2021

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