Woman's Hour

Drag queen and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ winner, Courtney Act, Jordan Stephens from hip hop duo ’Rizzle Kicks’, and Chief Executive of the ‘Men and Boys Coalition’, Dan Bell, discuss what toxic masculinity means to them and the impact of the term itself. How has it affected their mental health, relationships and gender expression and what needs to change for boys of the future? Myths of Celtic Europe pervade our collective consciousness in the UK. Passed on as folklore, by word of mouth and tales around the camp fire, the stories have been continually adapted through history. In her new book, 'Foxfire, Wolfskin and other stories of Shapeshifting Women', Dr Sharon Blackie updates the powerful female characters, bringing together myths of women within the landscapes of north-western Europe, and incorporating the modern pressures of climate change and plastic pollution. Just over thirty percent of UK ambassadors or Head of Mission are women – this is a three- fold increase in the last 10 years but what does the

Esther Rutter on the secret feminist history of knitting.Sally Challen was jailed for 22 years for killing her husband Richard in 2011. She was released earlier this year after a change in the law on coercive control. She talks to Jane about her marriage, her sentence and what it’s like to be a free woman.Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag won three separate awards at this years Emmy’s - what's behind her success? Jennie Joseph, a UK trained midwife, tells us about her work in the US reducing maternal and perinatal mortality among black women and other women of colour. Plus could you continue to love your son if he was accused of violent sexual crimes? And the five time Grammy award nominated composer and electronic music artist Suzanne Ciani on her career spanning 40 years.Presenter Jane Garvey Producer Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor Beverley PurcellGuest; Emma Bullimore Guest; Hetta Howes Guest; Tracy-Ann Oberman Guest; Anupama Chandrasekhar Guest; Sally Challen Guest; Esther Rutter Guest; Jennie Josep

A week is a long time in politics they say. At the moment, things are constantly changing. Today we try and make sense of it all from a woman's point of view. Lots to talk about including Paula Sheriff's powerful question in Parliament on Wednesday night and the PM's response to it; the next day's debate in the House about parliamentarians' choice of language; the use of Jo Cox's name in debate, as well as the women who've stood out this week.More children than ever before are surviving cancer but the effects of it can stay with them as they get older. A couple of weeks ago we heard about the impact having a child with cancer has on the family, particularly mum and dad. Today we hear from the children themselves about what it’s like growing up with cancer. We have Rosa Coker Burnett who was diagnosed with acute Myeloid Leukaemia at 11 and Niamh Hardy who was told that she had a neuroblastoma when she was 15. They're both in their twenties now.Mary Lindell was a secret agent whose story has been virtually f

Malta is to hold an independent public inquiry into the murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. BBC investigative journalist, Alys Harte was the journalist adviser on the recent Radio 4 drama about Daphne’s life and explains the latest developments. What does it take for a mother to stop loving her child? Tracy-Ann Oberman plays a woman whose teenage son is accused of violent sexual crimes in ‘Mother of Him’. While, playwright Anupama Chandrasekhar's new play ‘When the Crows Visit’, set in India, examines the same crisis. They discuss how they have approached a most difficult subject. Suzanne Ciani was an early pioneer in electronic music and sound design in the 60s and 70s. The five time Grammy award nominated composer joins talks about a career spanning four decades. And, we continue our look at the power of music to change the lives of women with dementia. Today we discuss why and how music can be so important for people living with dementia. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth

How do you inspire your child to take up a musical instrument or learn to sing? Is there a 'best' instrument to learn on and how do you help keep their interest should practice become a chore? Jenni speaks to Molly Newton, a music teacher based in York and Yolanda Brown, a saxophonist.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, scriptwriter and lead actor for the series ‘Fleabag’ has won three separate awards at this year’s Emmys. She won the best lead actress in a comedy series, and best writing. The show also won for best comedy. So what is it about this show that struck a chord with so many? Where might Phoebe Waller-Bridge be going next? TV critic Emma Bullimore will be speaking to Jenni, along with Hetta Howes, lecture in literature from the City University of London. Tomorrow is BBC Music Day, an annual celebration across the corporation about the power of music to change lives. On Woman’s Hour we’re hearing from people who live with dementia and about how music helps them cope. Shelagh is 79, from Madeley in Staffordshire where she lives with her husband Paul, who also has dementia. Woman’s Hour first met Shelagh at a Dementia Diaries event in Birmingham. The group record their experiences about living with dementia and post on dementia diaries.org. Henrietta Harrison went to meet Shelagh in her home

It is widely expected that continuing conflict over Brexit will result in an early general election. Research suggests that younger women who vote Labour are more likely to favour remaining in the EU, while many of the Labour Party’s older female voters and traditional voters are thought to have backed Leave in 2016. So, how will Labour Party appeal to all of its women supporters? On Woman's Hour this week we’re hearing from people with dementia about how music helps them cope. The Alzheimer's society organises Singing for the Brain groups across the country. Henrietta Harrison went along to one of them in Hackney in North London and met two daughters who are caring for their mothersJennie Joseph is a UK trained midwife whose work has successfully reduced maternal and perinatal mortality in the most vulnerable groups of women in the US. Her community based maternity centre in Orlando, the JJ Way, offers free care to all women and has dramatically improved outcomes for mothers and their babies. And The Birth

After years of being controlled and humiliated by him in 2011 Sally Challen was jailed for 22 years for the murder of her husband, Richard. The sentence was reduced to 18 years but in June of this year she walked out of the Old Bailey a free woman. The introduction of coercive control as a crime meant her sentence was reduced to manslaughter. In her first radio interview Sally joins Jane Garvey to reflect on her marriage, her sentence and how it feels to be a ‘free woman’ and a new grandma.As part of Radio 4, Four Seasons Poetry Day the award-winning poet Fiona Benson reads from her collection to mark the autumn equinox . BBC Music Day is on Thursday – an annual celebration across the BBC of the power of music to change lives. On Woman’s Hour we’ll be hearing from women about the importance of music in their dementia care. Today - Teresa Davies. She’s from Mold in North Wales and is creating a digital book about her life so future carers can find out what particular pieces of music mean to her. Presenter: Ja

The magic of dance with Shirley Ballas, head judge on BBC series Strictly, Curtis Pritchard, Love Island participant and professional ballroom dancer, and Theresa Buckland, Professor of Dance History at Roehampton University. Vicky Phelan exposed a medical scandal which affected her, and over 200 other Irish women. She found out that cervical smear tests, including hers, were mistakenly given the all clear when they were in fact abnormal. Women didn't get the treatment that might have prevented, or halted cancer. Vicky who is now living with a terminal diagnosis took her case to court and she was awarded 2.5 million Euros in compensation. Her book is called Overcoming: A Memoir.The reality of searching for part time or flexible work. How hard is it to find good jobs that make use of your skills and abilities part-time? We hear from Karen Mattison, Joint CEO of Timewise about their new research. And listener Sarah who is looking for part-time work. The actor Lesley Manville on her role in the BBC's new Sund

Strictly’s back! It’s the 17th series and Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have rolled out the red carpet for the class of 2019. To celebrate, Woman’s Hour dedicates a programme to dance with Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas, Love Island participant and professional ballroom dancer Curtis Pritchard, Professor of Dance History Theresa Buckland from Roehampton University, Sujata Banerjee, a Kathak artist and educator and Ingrid Mackinnon, a choreographer who teaches jazz, ballet, modern & African dance. Jane asks whether it is ever too late to learn to dance, why dance can make you feel so good… and hosts a dancing lesson, live on air, accompanied by the musician Joe Stilgoe.Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Shirley Ballas Interviewed guest: Curtis Pritchard Interviewed guest: Theresa Buckland Interviewed guest: Sujata Banerjee Interviewed guest: Ingrid Mackinnon Interviewed guest: Joe Stilgoe

Two decades ago, a public health official exposed how contaminated blood and plasma had led to tens of thousands of impoverished villagers and hospital patients being infected with hepatitis and HIV in Henan province, China. Today that story is told in a new production called ‘The King of Hell's Palace’ at the Hampstead Theatre. Jenni hears about that production and the story behind it from Chinese whistleblower, Dr Shuping Wang and playwright Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig. Author Cecelia Ahern talks about her new book Postscript; The Sequel to PS I Love You. British-born Mauritian cook Selina Periampillai describes the diverse cuisine of Mauritius and its neighbouring islands in her first cookbook, The Island Kitchen. And, we discuss the stigma that surrounds childhood sexual abuse.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Ruth Watts

Listener Wandja Kimani emailed the programme to ask us to discuss carving out a life in a community when you find yourself in a minority. Jenni speaks to Wandja and to the author Rachel Edwards, who moved from London to a small hamlet in Oxfordshire over 20-years ago.

Whilst the UK is dealing with a serious knife crime problem affecting teenagers especially in our cities, America is dealing with a gun problem. In the city of St. Louis, Missouri, the number of children who’ve been killed by a gun keeps on rising. According to latest figures 23 have died this year, most of them were caught in the cross fire, doing normal things like playing outside their house. Mothers, some who’ve lost a child,, marched in the City last weekend to express their anger. Siobhann Tighe meets the organiser, the Reverend Traci Blackmon, A new BBC drama series ‘World on Fire’ tells the story of World War Two through the lives of ordinary people, from all sides of the conflict. Jenni talks to one of the stars of the series Lesley Manville about taking on a role that's so different from that of Cathy in the series ‘Mum’. Lucia Osborne-Crowley was fifteen when she was violently raped by a stranger. In her book ‘I Choose Elena’ she's writesabout the aftermath - her silence, shame, and, wha

Led by Nigel Farage, the Brexit Party was formed in March of this year. In May it took 29 seats in the EU elections, more than any other party and nearly one third of all votes cast. Polls suggest the Brexit Party attracts the support of more men than women. But there are many women among the many voters who still feel strongly that the UK should fulfil the 2016 referendum result and leave with or without a deal. The Brexit party is holding a series of events as part of a national tour. Jane went to an event in Southport. The reality of searching for part time or flexible work. Just how hard is it to find good jobs - that make use of your skills and abilities - part time? We’ll be looking at new research from the flexible working consultancy Timewise, showing just how few advertised jobs there are for part time or flexible work, and asking why. We’ll also be getting advice on how to negotiate if you see your dream job advertised but at full time hours you can’t manage or don’t want - are employers likely to

Earlier in the summer we asked you, our listeners, to get in touch and send us a picture that somehow captured you at your best. Not just looking your best, but feeling your best. Hundreds of you got in touch with pictures of your best day, and we’ll be running as many of your stories as we can. Today…. Suzanne Goldberg brings us a picture of laughter.With continuing division over Brexit in Parliament and a General Election expected soon, the Liberal Democrat party’s president, Baroness Sal Brinton, joins us from the Lib Dem Party Conference. What opportunity does the current chaos offer the party and what is their message to women? Vicky Phelan has become one of the most well-known and well-respected women in Ireland. She exposed a medical scandal which not only affected her but affected over 200 other Irish women as well. She found out that cervical smear tests, like hers, were mistakenly given the all clear but turned out to be abnormal. This meant women weren’t given important treatment that might have pr

The journalist Waad Al Kateab documented her life on camera in war torn Aleppo, Syria. She tells us about her documentary and how she fell in love, married and had a baby daughter during the conflict.We discuss intersectionality in feminist economics with Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson the Director of the UK Women’s Budget Group, Dr Zubaida Haque from the Runnymede Trust and Angela Matthews head of policy at the Business Disability Forum.Adina Claire Acting Co-Chief Executive of Women’s Aid gives her reaction to the cricketer Geoffrey Boycott being knighted despite being convicted by a French court in 1998 for punching his partner.In 1962 Claire Weekes an Australian GP published a book Self Help for Your Nerves in which she said she could cure panic, depression, sorrow, agoraphobia and anxiety. We discuss how her cures would be received today with Judith Hoare the author of ‘The Woman Who Cracked the Anxiety Code’.Marina Litvinenko and the actress who plays her MyAnna Buring, discuss the play A Very Expensive Poison.

We asked you to get in touch and send us a picture that somehow captured you at your best. Today Diane Barker tells us about a very special picture that captures an adventure in Eastern Tibet. We hear the concerns of midwifes about the role they are having to play in delivering the government policy of charging migrant women for maternity care. The London Victims Commissioner and stalking victim, Claire Waxman on why she's written to the Ministry of Justice to ask them to change way compensation is paid. And the playwright Tanika Gupta talks about her latest project an adaptation of Ibsen’s classic play, A Doll’s House. Presenter; Jenni Murray Producer; Beverley Purcell Guest; Claire Waxman Guest; Tanika Gupta Guest; Rosalind Bragg Guest; Clare Livingstone Guest; Corinne Clarkson

Susan Sontag, the American essayist, novelist and critic rose to fame in the 1960s. She became an iconic cultural figure and during her life she was linked with figures like Andy Warhol and Annie Leibovitz. Fifteen years after her death, Benjamin Moser has written a new biography about her which digs beneath her public image. He discusses her life, her work and how her life charts the changes in women's lives over the last 60 years. It’s 30 years since the concept of intersectionality was introduced by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw. The Women’s Budget Group, who are also marking their 30th anniversary, thought it apt to address the way feminist economics has embraced the idea that there is no single universal experience of inequality shared by all women. Next week, the Director of the group Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson will chair a panel on Intersectionality in Feminist Economics. She joins Jenni along with Dr Zubaida Haque from the Runnymede Trust and Angela Matthews from the Business Disability Forum to discuss wh

There's a call for population wide testing for the BRCA gene in the Jewish community, which is at greater risk carrying the gene mutation which is linked to ovarian, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer. We're joined by Dr Ranjit Manchanda, Consutant Gynaecological Oncologist at Barts NHS Trust who's carried out new research funded by The Eve Appeal, and Caroline Presho who underwent preventative surgery after testing positive for a BRCA gene mutation.Marina Litvinenko on the play about her husband Alexander's death in London and her subsequent fight for an public inquiry. We're also joined by Myanna Buring who takes Marina's part in the play A Very Expensive Poison at the Old Vic Theatre.In the next in our series My Best Day, Alison Fletcher explains why this picture (above) means so much to her. In 1962 an Australian GP, Dr Claire Weekes published a book called Self Help for Your Nerves in which she said she could cure panic, depression, sorrow, agoraphobia and anxiety. The psychiatric establishment dismi

Margaret Atwood's new novel is out today. It's science fiction and is called The Testaments. Science fiction is often stereotyped as a male genre, but we forget that a woman was one of its first authors: Mary Shelley who wrote Frankenstein. When it comes to recognising science fiction talent, male authors have got many more awards than women but that's changing. To discuss why science fiction really does appeal to women, we hear from Mary Robinette Kowal who's won this year’s Hugo Award for best science fiction, as well as British writer, Temi Oh.Teenage girls are getting advice about what’s a healthy relationship and what’s not. The young adult author, Holly Bourne, is the ambassador for a new campaign launched by Women’s Aid. Holly says, “When you’re crazy in love with someone it’s hard to know what’s OK and what’s not OK in a relationship.” The campaign talks about gas lighting, consent and gives advice about what to say if your partner asks for your social media passwords. The answer is: NO! What’s the l