Woman's Hour

Can AI improve the success rates of women undergoing fertility treatment? Anita Rani discusses the impact of AI on IVF with Dr Cristina Hickman, an embryologist, co-founder of Avenues, and Chair of the Global AI Fertility Society, and Dr Ali Abbara, a Clinician Scientist at Imperial College London, and Consultant in Reproductive Endocrinology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.The second reading is due today of a private members bill that seeks to ban first-cousin marriage. It’s particularly prevalent among Pakistani and Muslim communities. But what would this mean for women? And how would genetic testing to enforce the ban work? Anita Rani speaks to CEO of Karma Nirvana Natasha Rattu and Emeritus Professor of Health Research at Bradford University, Neil Small. The award winning documentary Sugarcane follows an investigation into the Canadian Indian residential school system, and the attempts of survivors and their descendants to try to understand what happened in them. Emily Kassie is the film's produc

The communications regulator, Ofcom, has published new industry guidance for online services, in which it sets out how it expects online platforms - including social media and porn sites - to introduce highly effective age check measures to prevent children from accessing online pornography and to protect them from other types of harmful content. To discuss the new guidance and its potential impact Anita Rani is joined by Lindsey Fussell, OFCOM’s interim group director for online safety. Kamala Harris made history as the first woman - and first woman of colour - to become Vice President of the United States of America. She rose higher in the country’s leadership than any other woman before her. Anita discusses her legacy and future with BBC News Online Editor, Courtney Subramanian; and co-founder of Higher Heights, an organisation that works to mobilise black women voters, Kimberly Peeler-Allen. What might be next for the woman who could have been the first female president?A Royal College of Nursing report,

Services for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) in England are ‘unviable’. That’s the judgement from a report out today by the Public Accounts Committee, who look at the value for money of government services. Anna Dixon MP, who sits on the committee, joins Nuala McGovern to explain more, alongside Katie Ghose, Vice-Chair of the Disabled Children’s Partnership.Four Women's Championship football clubs will take part in a new pilot scheme beginning this month to allow fans to drink alcohol in the stands. This is something that’s been banned for supporters of the men’s game in the top five tiers. Head of Women’s Football at the Football Supporters’ Association Deborah Dilworth discusses the plans and what this could mean for women’s football matches.Holly Bourne, bestselling author of How Do You Like Me Now? and the Spinster Club series, is back with So Thrilled For You, her most personal novel yet. It’s a story about four friends navigating motherhood, career ambition, and societal pr

The term ‘sticky floor’ refers to the difficulties women face in progressing to higher-paid and higher-powered job roles whilst balancing the demands of their careers with personal, unpaid responsibilities. They can get stuck at lower levels, leaving the most senior positions to be occupied by, predominantly, men. Nuala McGovern discusses some of the reasons and solutions with Claire Reindorp, CEO of Young Women’s Trust, and Lucy Kellaway, former journalist, now economics teacher and co-founder of Now Teach.A Lancashire jury has found Ryan Wellings not guilty of the manslaughter of 23-year-old Kiena Dawes. Wellings, who was Kiena's boyfriend, was found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault between January 2020 and July 2022. He had denied all the charges against him, and will be sentenced at a later date. During the trial, the jury heard that Kiena had left a note claiming she was murdered and that Wellings had killed her before she took her own life. Joining Nuala to discuss this case are

The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin is the Bishop of Dover and the Bishop in Canterbury - Britain's first black woman bishop. She’s a trailblazer, who has been right at the heart of a changing nation for over 40 years. Despite discrimination due to her gender and ethnic minority background, Bishop Rose has never wavered from the call she received to enter ministry at the age of 14. She joins Nuala McGovern to discuss her memoir, The Girl from Montego Bay.The fast-fashion company Shein, whose customers in the UK are 80% women, may be listing on the London Stock Exchange soon. But questions remain over the company's supply chain and work practices amid allegations of forced labour and human rights abuses. Nuala speaks to sustainable fashion consultant Natalie Binns and Head of Money and Markets at Hargreaves Lansdown Susannah Streeter. We asked Shein for a comment, but they said they didn't want to provide a statement.Zoe Kornberg is a trainee doctor in Texas who says she left her obstetrician and gynaecolog

Victims groomed and raped by gangs have told the BBC's Senior UK Correspondent Sima Kotecha that they are adamant the crime is still happening to girls across the country. This week, a Tory amendment to the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which wanted a national inquiry into grooming gangs, was voted down. Krupa Padhy talked to Sima and Simon Morton, a former senior investigating officer for Thames Valley Police, about what is known about how these gangs operate.Lucy Lawless, best known for playing Xena: Warrior Princess, joined Nuala McGovern to discuss another fearless woman. In her directorial debut, Never Look Away, she explores Margaret Moth, a warzone camerawoman for CNN who covered conflicts from the liberation of Kuwait in the early 90s to the Lebanon War in the mid-2000s armed only with a camera and an attitude.A new law change has made the creation of explicit deepfakes illegal, with those found guilty facing up to two years in prison. Nuala was joined by Durham Law Professor Cla

2025 is a big year for former Strictly professional Oti Mabuse who is judging Dancing on Ice starting this weekend, then going on tour and publishing her first adult novel. She joins Krupa Padhy to tell us all about these projects, becoming a mother and how being on I’m A Celebrity taught her the importance of talking about feelings.The term Eldest Daughter Syndrome is not an official mental health diagnosis, but on social media it has spurred women to talk about the way that being the eldest daughter in the family has affected them. Krupa speaks to therapist Louise Tyler and Sahra Abdulrehman, who is co-director of Home Girls Unite, a support group for eldest daughters. We hear some of the emotional speeches from MPs across the House of Commons during yesterday's violence against women and girls debate including a response from Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. Krupa then talks to Sophie Francis-Cansfield, Head of Policy at Women's Aid.Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s charity, Multibank, is ramping u

Victims groomed and raped by gangs have told the BBC's Senior UK Correspondent Sima Kotecha that they are adamant the crime is still happening to girls across the country. Yesterday, a Tory amendment to the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which wanted a national inquiry into grooming gangs, was voted down. Krupa Padhy talks to Sima and Simon Morton, a former senior investigating officer for Thames Valley Police, about what is known about how these gangs operate.Playing Nice, a new ITV drama, tells the story of two couples who discover their toddlers were accidentally swapped at birth. Actor Niamh Algar, who plays one of the mothers, and Grace Ofori-Attah, who wrote the script for the small screen, join Krupa to talk about the moral and ethical issues within the series, and why they hope it will spark a conversation.Two women who've developed a firm friendship through a shared experience of having a rare eye cancer join Krupa to talk about the incredible bond they have forged. Ocular melano

A new law change has made the creation of explicit deepfakes illegal, with those found guilty facing up to two years in prison. Nuala McGovern is joined by Durham Law Professor Clare McGlynn to hear more about what this means, and Channel 4's Cathy Newman, who was a victim of deepfakes herself, gives her thoughts. Author Clare Whitfield joins Nuala to discuss her novel Poor Girls. The title of the book refers to the young, working class women of the 1920s who were destined for a life in service unless they took other, less respectable, opportunities. Like joining real-life all female criminal gang The Forty Elephants, who were famous for their sophisticated shoplifting scams and their hard-partying ways.Victoria Melluish is a listener who wrote to us to highlight women working in environmentally hostile environments and to encourage more women to get out in the field. Victoria is currently employed as a marine mammal specialist and expedition guide on a cruise expedition ship. She says, 'I’m 30 and I work in

The debate around widescale child sexual abuse and exploitation continues following calls from the Conservatives and Reform UK for a new national inquiry into the issue. Professor Alexis Jay chaired the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. It took seven years and was published in 2022. It warned of "endemic" abuse across society in England and Wales for girls and boys. Professor Jay has called again for implementation of her 20 recommendations. One recommendation was that those who cover up or fail to report child sexual abuse could face professional or criminal sanctions. The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last night announced that has said that will be implemented as a new offence this year. Nuala speaks to Maggie Oliver, Founder and Chair of the Maggie Oliver Foundation, who was a who resigned from Greater Manchester Police in late 2012 in order to expose the Rochdale Grooming Scandal and Ken MacDonald, Director of Public Prosecutions from 2003-2008.It's hoped a tool which allows women in Wales

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, completes his final official duties today before stepping down. So what’s next for the Church of England? And how are women playing a part in the reform of safeguarding? Nuala McGovern is joined by the BBC’s Religion Editor, Aleem Maqbool. Also joining the conversation is Rowena Pailing, who used to be Vice Dean of Blackburn Cathedral but who resigned over what she calls safeguarding concerns, and Reverend Jenny Penn, who was an important part of the investigation into former priest David Tudor.Pencils at the ready – because comedian and presenter Mel Giedroyc is back with a new ITV gameshow, taking Pictionary from our living rooms to the TV screen. Mel tells Nuala about getting competitive during family games nights, how she’s enjoyed getting older, and why blind optimism is both her best and worst trait.Women in Syria are calling for recognition from the new regime, and asking to be involved in the running of the country. The caretaker government has made several

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, has proposed "a new National Care Service", as part of the government's plan to shake-up adult social care with increased funding and an independent commission headed by crossbench peer Baroness Louise Casey. As adult social care is a predominantly female work force - and women make up the majority of people carrying out unpaid caring responsibilities - what impact could these changes have? Kylie Pentelow was joined by Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK.On New Year’s Day, Nuala McGovern explored all things women and walking in this special programme. She was joined by the comedian and author Miranda Hart to discuss how her battle with chronic illness gave her a new appreciation for getting outdoors and walking, following 10 years out of the spotlight with chronic fatigue.Many people will have visited or been visited by their adult children over the

This morning the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, has proposed "a new National Care Service", as part of the government's plan to shake-up adult social care with increased funding and an independent commission headed by crossbench peer Baroness Louise Casey. As adult social care is a predominantly female work force - and women make up the majority of people carrying out unpaid caring responsibilities - what impact could these changes have? Kylie Pentelow is joined by Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK.The Women’s Rugby World Cup is being held later this year in England. Whilst Scotland and Wales will be competing, England currently sit at the top of the world rankings – with many hoping this could be women’s rugby’s ‘Lionesses moment’. To discuss whether this is likely and how best to ensure the tournament has a positive legacy, Kylie Pentelow is joined by Fi Tomas, women’s sport repo

In 1974, a group of around 40 women met in London to discuss the ongoing rape crisis and what to do about it. That meeting eventually led to the establishment of the UK's first ever Rape Crisis centre, which opened its doors and helpline on 15 May 1976. Since then, an entire network of Rape Crisis centres has been established by passionate groups of women around the country. Kylie Pentelow is joined by Dr Kate Cook, co-author of Rape Crisis: Responding to Sexual Violence, and Lee Eggleston, long-standing chair on the board of Rape Crisis England and Wales and who works on the front line of a rape crisis centre.Are you an introverted parent to extroverted children? Are they the life and soul of the party when you’d prefer to stay at home? Or are they always talking to random strangers when you’d prefer not to? This is the situation Grace Victory finds herself in. She tells Kylie how she manages two extroverted children, and psychologist Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo joins to give tips.There has been a rise in the numb

On the first day of 2025, Nuala McGovern explores all things women and walking in this special programme.Comedian and author Miranda Hart joins her to discuss how her battle with chronic illness gave her a new appreciation for getting outdoors and walking, following 10 years out of the spotlight with chronic fatigue.How can getting outdoors and walking impact us? Qualified GP Dr Lucy Loveday has developed a ‘Nature Toolkit’ and ‘green prescription’ to look at how we can support our mental and physical health by getting outdoors. She joins Nuala alongside Rhiane Fatinikum, founder of Black Girls Hike, to discuss how we can harness the power of nature at different stages of our lives and tackle barriers to getting outdoors.From writer Nan Shepherd to 18th-century poet Elizabeth Carter – women have been wandering and taking inspiration from nature for centuries. Kerri Andrews, author of Wanderers: A History of Women Walking, tells Nuala about the history of walking as inspiration. And musician Fiona Soe Paing jo

What’s it like fostering in your 40s? Author Beth Moran had three children in her twenties but decided to take up fostering once they flew the nest. Her new novel It Had To Be You is inspired by her experiences of fostering thirteen children in five years.Singer-songwriter Theo Bleak has received huge acclaim recently for her raw lyrics and soaring melodies. As well as supporting Suede, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Joesef on tour, her debut LP Pain was also nominated for Scottish Album of the Year. Theo performs her latest single You Said You’d Feel It All Again live in the Woman’s Hour studio.The director Sam Taylor-Johnson was 42 when she met husband to be Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was 18 at the time. They recently made a red carpet appearance with her two eldest daughters and the hashtag #SameAgeAsStepDaughter became a TikTok trend. Clare McDonnell is joined by Alexandra who was her husband’s third wife and at 30 had stepdaughters of 26 and 20 from his first two marriages. She joins Clare McDonne

‘Unfortunately, she was a Nymphomaniac’ – that’s the title of a new book written to debunk the misogynist myths of Imperial Rome and to put the record straight about the lives and fates of Roman women. Its author, the journalist Joan Smith, joins Clare McDonnell to give us a fresh perspective on the ancient world.Many people will have visited or been visited by their adult children over the holidays. Being a parent to adult children, as well as being the adult child, can be complicated. What are the pitfalls? How can we ensure that relationship stays strong? Clare is joined by psychotherapist Dr Julia Samuel and actor and author Helen Lederer to discuss.Nearly half the world's population had major elections in 2024, but it was also a year that saw the slowest rate of growth in female representation for 20 years. The BBC has crunched the numbers from 46 countries and found that in nearly two-thirds of them the number of women elected fell. BBC Population Correspondent Stephanie Hegarty explains the findings.Ne

Oscar-winning Michelle Yeoh’s career has spanned four decades. Starting out as a martial arts actor, she became a key figure in the Hong Kong action scene. But it was her role in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies that catapulted her into Hollywood. She's since starred in many hits including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the multi-Oscar winning movie - including for her own performance - Everything Everywhere all At Once. Now, she’s in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked. She joined Nuala McGovern live in the studio to discuss it.We look back at a special programme, that came live from the Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House in London, looking at the support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – or SEND as it’s often known in England. Nuala heard from guest panellists including Kellie Bright, an actress in EastEnders but also a mum to a child with SEND, Katie, who is 17 and says she was completely failed by the SEND system, and the Minister for School Standards, Catherine

Haiti has been ravaged by political instability and gang violence since the assassination of the country’s president in 2021 – and this year it’s spiralled with armed gangs in control of much of the capital Port-au-Prince. Alongside the violence is an escalating humanitarian crisis, which is severely impacting women and children with widespread hunger and malnutrition. Kylie Pentalow finds out more from the BBC’s senior investigations correspondent Nawal Al-Maghafi.In the Netherlands, the 31st December 2024 marks the deadline for people to register if they want their child to have a double-barrelled surname. Children in the Netherlands automatically took their father’s name, but in 1998 the law changed to allow them to take their mother’s name instead - but only with the consent of the father. A group of women who believe this is discriminatory are challenging the law. Kylie speaks to Linde Bryk, head of strategic court cases at women’s rights organisation Bureau Clara Wichmann, and Maartje Passchier who has

In a Boxing Day special, Anita Rani celebrates a favourite Christmas activity: puzzles and games.Anita hears from Leslie Scott, the woman who invented Jenga, and steps into the world of crosswords and general knowledge quizzes with Kate Mepham, setter for the Daily Telegraph.She pays tribute to Agatha Christie, the woman behind the most famous puzzles ever written, with novelist and essayist John Lanchester, and host of the Shedunnit podcast, Caroline Crampton.Anne Corbett, professor in dementia research at the University of Exeter, explains the role games can play in the battle to keep our minds fit and healthy.And Anita dives into gaming with Gabrielle Zevin, author of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, one of the bestselling novels of recent years: a love story set in the world of video games. Eimear Noone, the composer behind World of Warcraft and the first woman to conduct at the Oscars, explains how video game soundtracks come together, while Frankie Ward, Esports host and journalist, has tips on the