Women and Eid, School Refusal Report, Author Marni Appleton
Mar 31, 2025
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Dr. Janet Barter discusses the new accessibility of emergency contraception for women, shedding light on healthcare equity. Louise McLeod brings attention to the pressing challenges faced by children with special educational needs and the urgent need for better support systems. Author Marnie Appleton shares her insights on millennial womanhood, blending horror and satire in her short stories. Together, they tackle issues of tradition, identity, and challenges in education, creating a rich and engaging conversation.
Eid al-Fitr is a celebration of community and tradition, highlighting the important role women play in preserving cultural practices.
The UK government will make emergency contraception available for free at pharmacies to ensure equitable access for all women.
Plans to create 10,000 new school places for children with special educational needs aim to address educational disparities and support inclusion.
Deep dives
Access to Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception will become freely available from pharmacies across England, a move announced by the government. Previously, access varied significantly based on location, leading to confusion and barriers for many women. This change aims to create more consistent access to the emergency contraception pill, which is time-sensitive and can be critical in preventing unplanned pregnancies. Experts believe that making this contraceptive available without charge at pharmacies will empower women and enhance their reproductive health choices.
School Exclusions and Special Needs Education
The government plans to create 10,000 new school places to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools. The initiative is backed by substantial funding aimed at improving educational resources over the next three years. However, concerns remain regarding the sufficiency of this funding and whether it will adequately address the needs of students who are currently being excluded or facing learning losses. Educational advocates emphasize the importance of individualized support and compassionate responses to provide a nurturing environment for all children.
Personal Experiences with School Absences
Personal stories from individuals like Aaliyah highlight the profound impact that school exclusions can have on young people's mental health and future prospects. Aaliyah shared her journey of exclusion after a panic attack, which resulted in feelings of loss and hopelessness regarding her education and future. Such experiences emphasize the need for schools to provide better support and understanding for students facing mental health challenges and to create safer environments. Voices like Aaliyah's bring attention to the urgent reforms needed in how schools approach absenteeism and behavioral issues.
The Role of Women in Education and Community
Women play a critical role in advocating for educational reforms and supporting children with individual needs. Discussions in educational settings highlight the necessity of compassion and understanding towards students who struggle with emotional and academic challenges. Many women, including educators and mothers, emphasize the importance of kindness and adequate resources to foster better learning environments. As leaders in their communities, women are instrumental in shaping policies that address the complex needs of students facing exclusion or barriers to learning.
Celebrating Eid and Cultural Traditions
Muslims worldwide are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, with a focus on community, reflection, and new beginnings. Conversations reveal the diverse ways individuals and families celebrate, including traditional prayers, food, and spending time with loved ones. Women, often considered the 'chief memory officers' of their families, are tasked with preserving and evolving these traditions, blending nostalgia with modern celebrations. The significance of Eid extends beyond feasting, encouraging a shared understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity within local communities.
Eid is a celebration of strength and gratitude where Muslims all around the world come together to mark the end of Ramadan. Nuala McGovern is joined by one of the first Muslim headteachers in the country, Bushra Nasir, author & podcaster Shelina Janmohamed and Executive Board Member at the Muslim Council of Wales Jamilla Hekmoun to discuss what roles they have on this day, from acting as the ‘memory markers’ to passing down the rich traditions that keep religious stories and practices alive as well as some of the pressures women can feel at this time.
Women across England will be able to get the morning after pill for free from pharmacies from later this year, the Government has said. Emergency contraception is already free of charge from most GPs and sexual health clinics. But ministers say getting it in pharmacies is a "postcode lottery" - with some councils funding free prescriptions, while elsewhere women can pay up to £30. Nuala discusses the plan with Dr Janet Barter, President, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare.
The Government says it's going to create 10,000 new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream schools. Ministers are saying £740 million will be allocated in England over the next three years. It comes as a new report is launched at Westminster today which warns that more and more children are 'losing learning' because their needs are not being met, or they are being suspended or excluded. Nuala discusses the issues and possible solutions with the report's author, Ellie Harris, Aaliyah, a young woman who couldn't attend school due to SEND, and the actress and mother Anna Maxwell Martin and Louise McLeod, the Executive Headteacher of two primary schools in Norfolk.
Darkly funny, unsettling, and razor-sharp, I Hope You’re Happy by Marni Appleton is a haunting collection of short stories exploring modern womanhood through the lens of horror and satire. From viral photos to eerie performances in dead-end jobs, these stories capture the weirdness of millennial life... where power struggles, fleeting connections, and social media anxieties collide with the surreal. Marni joins Nuala to discuss the themes and her inspiration.
Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley
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