Woman's Hour

How does the feminisation of alcohol work? We hear from Carol Emslie a Professor of substance use and misuse at the School of Health and Life Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University, Kate Baily a podcast host and the co-author of Love Yourself Sober – a self-care guide to alcohol-free living for busy mothers and from Dr Athanasia Daskalopoulou, a Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Liverpool Management School.What are the pros and cons of being naked in front of your children? Rosie Haine, a writer and illustrator whose book is called “It Isn’t Rude to be Nude and Dr Keon West, a psychologist at Goldsmiths, University of London, discuss.Three quarters of black women do not feel the NHS protects them equally. That’s according to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights which commissioned a poll on being Black in the UK. We hear from researcher Celine Henry and Harriet Harman MP Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights.Julia Gillard, once Prime Minister of Australia, and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-

The domestic abuse story in EastEnders comes to a tragic end tonight. Chantelle is killed by her husband, Gray. We speak to the Head of Continuing Drama at BBC Studios, Kate Oates, and Sarah Davidge from Woman’s Aid, about how the storyline reflects the sharp rise in domestic violence during lockdown. Are you happy being naked in front of your children? Or does it make you feel uncomfortable? We talk to the illustrator Rosie Haine who’s created a children’s book called “It Isn’t Rude to be Nude”. It's full of naked bodies of all shapes and sizes. We also hear from psychologist Dr Keon West from Goldsmiths in London whose research suggests nudity might help with body image and self-esteem. A new film called Rocks focuses on a teenage schoolgirl and her group of loyal friends. One day Rocks' mother leaves and she’s left to care for herself and her seven year old brother. The story was developed in workshops with teenage girls and the cast is largely made up of non-professional actors. The film has received rave

Children’s author Jacqueline Wilson joins tells us about her new book Love Frankie about a teenager falling in love for the first time. Frankie lives with her two sisters and her recently divorced mum who is seriously ill with MS and is being bullied by a girl called Sally and her gang at school. But eventually the two girls strike up a friendship and as they spend more time together, Frankie starts to develop stronger feelings for Sally. Jacqueline tells Jenni why, having written over a hundred books, this is the first she has written about same sex relationships following her decision to reveal that she herself was gay earlier this year.A report by Women in Journalism shows that there is still a shocking lack of diversity among our media. The report revealed that no UK newspaper had a front page story by a Black reporter in the week studied, and out of 174 front page bylines, just two were written by BAME women. Out of a total of 723 radio reporter appearances, just 4 were by Black women and when non-white

Julia Gillard, once Prime Minister of Australia, and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, economist and international development expert from Nigeria and also a woman with experience at the top of the Nigerian politics, have come together to explore women and leadership. They’ve written a book together and interviewed high profile global leaders who are women: women like Jacinda Ardern, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Christine Lagarde and Theresa May. Saskia Reeves is best known for the films Close My Eyes and I.D. and her numerous roles in dramas like Spooks, Luther, Wallander, Page Eight and Wolf Hall. On Sunday you can watch her in the first of a four part comedy drama for BBC 1 called 'Us'. Based on the novel by David Nicholls, she is Connie who wants to end her 24 year relationship with her husband Douglas – played by Tom Hollander. But he’s meticulously planned and booked a European tour with their teenage son Albie – and so they decide to go ahead with it. Jenni talks to Saskia about how relationships change as children

The Comedy Women in Print Prize is the only literary prize in the UK and Ireland to spotlight funny writing by women. Now in its second year, it was launched by comedian and actress Helen Lederer in response to the lack of exposure for female comedy writing. The 2020 shortlist for Published Comic Novel included the likes of Candice Carty-Williams, and Jeanette Winterson, but the winner was announced on Monday evening as Nina Stibbe for her novel Reasons to be Cheerful. We’re joined by Nina and the Chair of Judges and bestselling author Marian Keyes.A study by Imperial College London suggests that providing financial incentives for GPs to offer information about long-acting reversible contraceptives, such as the hormonal implant, is associated with an increase in their use and a reduction in the number of abortions, particularly in young women ages 20-24 and those from deprived backgrounds. The study used anonymised data from over 3 million women over a 10 year period. Jenni speaks to Professor Sonia Saxena, o

According to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, three quarters of black women do not feel the NHS protects them equally. That's the findings of a poll it commissioned on being Black in the UK. The poll also highlights Black women's thoughts on their human rights and the police. We hear from Celine Henry who's one of the researchers, and the Chair of the Committee, Harriet Harman, MP. Famous film awards are trying to improve their diversity with new rules. We discuss how effective it'll be with Mariette Rissenbeek who's the Executive Director of the Berlinale and Tolu Akisanya who's a journalist, film publicist and part of The Culture Reel podcast.The sculptor, Bridget McCrum, didn't start her career til she was in her forties. Now 86, she's still working with stone and in the last 10 years has had more interest in her work than ever. One of her pieces recently sold for £68, 000. Tracey Crouch is an MP based in Kent. She used to be Sports Minister but resigned two years ago because of th

Laura Bates is founder of the Everyday Sexism Project. In her latest book, she traces the roots of extreme misogyny across a complex network of online groups from Pick Up Artists to Incels. Laura explains what attracts men and boys these movements.Blogger Stephanie Yeboah has been a part of the fat acceptance and body positive movement for years. Her first book – ‘Fattily Ever After’ – is a self-help guide and love letter to black, plus size women everywhere. In the latest of our How To series, Jenni discusses how to be on time with Grace Pacie, author of LATE! A Time-bender’s guide to why we are late and how we can change, and therapist and writer Philippa Perry. Buy Now and Pay Later is increasingly being offered by many online retailers. How much are young women being led to spend more than they can afford? Jenni speaks to financial campaigner Alice Tapper, Sue Anderson from debt charity Step Change and Anna, who has managed to clear considerable debt. Now that non-invasive cosmetic procedures are able to

Are you always just a bit late to everything – even when there isn’t an actual reason? Is your time-keeping a source of stress for you and others? Help is at hand. In the latest of our How To series, Jenni discusses how to be on time with Grace Pacie, author of LATE! A Time-bender’s guide to why we are late and how we can change, and therapist and writer Philippa Perry.On Wednesday this week the Government outlined their response to a landmark report from the Petitions Committee on the impact of COVID-19 on maternity and parental leave. Jenni is joined by the Chair of the Committee, Catherine McKinnell MP to discuss the issues.We remember the author of the Shere Hite report on women and sex. In 1976 she published her report on female sexuality and told us most women can easily reach orgasm through clitoral stimulation but only 30% claim to achieve it during intercourse. Jenni met her in May 2006. In 2011, a Bronze Age burial chamber was excavated on Whitehorse Hill on Dartmoor. Inside were astonishingly ra

Laura Bates is founder of the Everyday Sexism Project. In her latest book – Men Who Hate Women - she traces the roots of extreme misogyny across a complex network of online groups - extending from Men's Rights Activists and Pick up Artists to Men Going their Own Way, Trolls and the Incel movement. She explains how they operate and how she hopes drawing parallels with other extremist movements around the world will help us to understand what makes them attractive to men and boys.. Women – and specifically young women – have always been hugely over-represented when it comes to debt. Since the pandemic, charities are hearing from more and more who find themselves in financial difficulty. Anna who’s now 22 shares how she's managed to clear considerable debt. Sue Anderson from debt charity Step Change talks bout the trends they’re seeing when it comes to women and money. Plus financial campaigner Alice Tapper on why she thinks the increasing use of ‘buy-now-pay-later’ methods need much more scrutiny,. Th

From flapper to femme fatale: Olive Thomas was the wild-living sex symbol of the jazz age and one of Hollywood's first starlets - but ended up dying in agony from poison in Paris Ritz 100 years ago. Suicide... or revenge of a jealous husband? Pamela Hutchinson, Film historian and critic specialising in silent cinema joins Jenni to discuss the story.The NHS in England employs more than a million women, who make up 77% of the workforce, but that is not reflected in its senior leadership. In 2016 a target was set of 50:50 women to men on NHS boards by 2020. This has been missed, but the figure has risen to 44.7%. The NHS Confederation estimates that another 150 women need to be recruited overall, with some trusts having much further to go than others. Jenni speaks to Sam Allen, Chief Executive of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Chair of the Health and Care Women Leaders Network at the NHS Confederation, and Prof Ruth Sealy from Exeter University Business School, who authored the report.Suicide is t

PC Andrew Harper’s widow Lissie says she has cabinet support for a new law – under which anyone who kills an emergency services worker would be jailed for life. PC Andrew Harper was killed last summer in the line of duty. The three teenagers who were responsible for his death were jailed for manslaughter. She joins Jane to talk about why she’s campaigning for a new law – under which anyone who kills an emergency services worker would be jailed for life. Blogger Stephanie Yeboah has been a part of the fat acceptance and body positive movement for years. Her first book – ‘Fattily Ever After’ – is a self-help guide and love letter to black, plus size women everywhere. As new figures emerge about the higher risk Covid 19 has on obese people, She tells Jane about the book and its message Afraid of your toddler? We hear from a new TV supernanny who thinks parents have lost their grip on their children’s behaviour. Do you struggle to say no to you toddler for fear of an embarrassing temp

What do we know so far about COVID – clinically and scientifically – in women, including those who are pregnant. Jane talks to Professor Louise Kenny a clinical academic from Liverpool Women’s Hospital We’ve all heard of ‘tidy desk, tidy mind’ but is there any truth in the well-known phrase? With all of us spending more time at home during lockdown, many people used that time to have a clear out and get rid of some clutter. After so many TV shows appearing where we watch people tidy others’ houses, we ask why tidying up is so satisfying and if the amount of clutter we have in our homes can affect our mental health. Now that non-invasive cosmetic procedures are able to resume operating after lockdown, are treatments such as Botox being normalised? We take a look at the trends over time and speak to a regular Botox user about how people’s attitudes to Botox are changing. It was watching Christine Blasey Ford testify against Brett Kavanaugh that finally convinced Debora Harding that she needed to write her o

Forty years since Willy Russell’s play Educating Rita was first performed we hear from some real life Rita’s, Willy Russell and Julie Walters on the films influenceSam Baker, the former editor of Cosmopolitan and Red and author of The Shift, Kelechi Okafor who’s an actor, director and podcaster and the journalist, Rebecca Reid, who’s written The Power of Rude on how to be assertive without coming across as angry and unapproachable .We hear how a book, A Match Made in Heaven, featuring stories by British Muslim Women about Love And Desire is trying to get beyond the stereotypes of subservient Muslim women. Editors Nafhesa Ali and Claire Chambers and the writer Noren Haq discuss. Dame Cressida Dick the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells us how the force is managing during the ongoing pandemic Stephanie Walker on how she went from a fourteen year old pregnant teenager to a fully qualified midwife.Plus the author Ann Cleaves talks about her latest novel The Darkest Evening – the ninth in the Vera ser

Hilary Swank, the two time Oscar-winning actress of Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby, stars in new Netflix drama Away. She plays Commander Emma Green who leaves behind her husband and daughter to lead an international crew of astronauts on a perilous three-year mission to Mars. She talks to Jane about being an astronaut, dealing with claustrophobia, caring for her Dad, Devon cream teas, and parrots.1 in 4 women will lose a baby during pregnancy or birth. During lockdown NHS maternity services carried on, but new rules were brought in to minimise patient contact to protect pregnant women and staff – but how did this affect people who were going through a miscarriage? Helen and Fatma who both miscarried at the height of lockdown share their experiences and we hear from consultant gynaecologist Dr Christine Ekechi.New book A Match Made in Heaven – British Muslim Women Write About Love And Desire tells many different stories about sex and relationships. Featuring emerging writers who took part in writing

In the latest of our How to guides, we discuss the art of being assertive and explore why it can be so difficult for women to stand up for themselves, assert their own needs and make themselves heard. Jenni is joined by journalist and author of the Power of Rude, Rebecca Reid, Journalist, broadcaster and author of The Shift, Sam Baker, and actor, podcaster and writer Kelechi Okafor.Recently we spoke to 16 year old Rhea in Shetland about the stories she had collected about sexual violence in her area. Last year, Judith, who moved to the Scottish Highlands from London, told reporter Kathleen Garragher about the culture of privacy and keeping yourself to yourself. When her husband became abusive she didn’t feel able to ask for help. The author Helen FitzGerald on her latest domestic noir thriller – Ash Mountain – set in a small Australian town threatened by bush fires and the impact of historic sex crimes. Helen trained as a social worker in the probation service and her novel The Cry about the disappearance o

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, talks to Jenni about working with women in the community to help combat violent crime. She wants both the victims of things like domestic abuse and knife crime and those around them have the confidence to speak out about what’s happening in their area. She’s been working closely with mothers who’ve lost children to violence and is exploring how the Force can work with them to help protect our young people from being drawn in to, or becoming victims of violent crime. Stephanie Walker was 14 when she became pregnant. She was so impressed with how her midwife looked after her that she decided to go into the profession herself. Fourteen years on from the birth of her first child, Stephanie has just become fully qualified to deliver babies herself. She joins Jenni.Lady Barbara Judge, whose death was announced today, was on the Woman’s Hour Power list in 2013. She was described as one of the best connected women in the country – a real pioneer fo

Annette Bening stars in a new film 'Hope Gap' about the collapse of a marriage after 29 years. She joins Jane to discuss the disintegration of that union.The Covid realities project from York and Birmingham universities chronicles the experiences of low-income families during the lockdown period. Jane hears about the project from Dr Maddy Power, Research Fellow at the University of York and founder of the York Food Justice Alliance, and from Shirley who is taking part in the project. Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty critically acclaimed novels. She previously worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook, and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. Her latest novel is The Darkest Evening – the ninth in the Vera series.What impact does corroboration have on conviction rates for rape in Scotland? We hear from Emma Bryson, a founder member of Speak Out Survivors, and Grazia Robertson, a criminal lawyer based in Glasgow who sits on the Law Society of Scotland Criminal Law Committee.

This summer marks 40 years since Willy Russell’s landmark play Educating Rita was first performed. The funny and moving story of a 26 year-old Liverpudlian hairdresser studying for an Open University degree has barely been off stage since. Dame Julie Walters played the lead role in both the original theatrical production and the later film, for which she was Oscar-nominated. She joins Jane to talk about what playing the role has meant to her, and how much Rita/Susan’s experience chimed with her own. Jane also speaks to Willy Russell about Rita’s story, and why he believes it has resonated with so many women. They are joined by four real life Ritas – working-class women who returned to education in later life, Glynthea Modood, Sue Slater, Kate Wiseman, and the Open University’s Pro Vice Chancellor Liz Marr.

Louise Somerville thinks we need to talk more about nits. She feels that increasingly schools are inconsistent in how much they help parents deal with nits and that clear advice is lacking. We ask how best to deal with nits and head lice, and the stigma attached, and why it matters. With entomologist Richard Jones and Joanna Ibarra from Community Hygiene Concern.Daisy Leigh was 23 when she felt an unfamiliar kicking sensation and was shocked to discover she was 30 weeks pregnant. She had just two months to prepare, mentally and practically, for becoming a mother. Nine months on, she says her daughter is the best thing that's ever happened to her.Women and Paddling: kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, rafting; what are the attractions, what is involved, and how can paddle sports help physical and mental health? Cadi Lambert runs the #ShePaddles programme for British Canoeing, and Emma Kitchen has started training to be a coach to help people improve their paddle skills.Are women taken more seriously in the wo

Presented by Jenni Murray.A 16 year-old young woman looking at universities came across the St Andrews Survivors page on Instagram with more than 100 stories of sexual assault. She only read a couple but consequently wiped St Andrews off her potential university list. Her mother, a Woman’s Hour listener, wrote to us to saying she felt universities are not doing enough to address this problem, and was concerned with the impact this could have on young women going to university. Jenni is joined by Sara Khan, NUS Vice President for Liberation and Equality for an update on a problem that has been raised many times in the last few years. How successful have universities been in addressing this?What singing can do for your mental health? We hear how much some listeners are missing being part of choirs, and also from those who have been finding alternative ways to sing as a group online and even outdoors. Jenni discusses the issues with listener Carolyn Acton, Sandra Colston, MD Funky Choir MD and Liesbeth Tip Cl