New chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Tracy Chevalier, France rape trial
Sep 12, 2024
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Join Sarah Owen, the Labour MP and new Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, as she shares her ambitions to address health inequalities and women's rights. Acclaimed author Tracy Chevalier delves into her latest novel, The Glassmaker, exploring centuries of Venetian history and the challenges faced by women in glassmaking. The conversation takes a serious turn as they discuss a disturbing rape trial in France, emphasizing the need for cultural shifts and accountability in addressing sexual violence. It's a powerful blend of advocacy and storytelling.
Sarah Owen, as the new chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, aims to address health inequalities in maternity care, particularly for Black women facing higher mortality rates.
Owen stresses the need for timely justice for victims of sexual violence, arguing that long wait times and underreporting contribute to a pervasive climate of fear.
The podcast highlights Owen's commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue around sensitive issues such as transgender rights and women's spaces to promote mutual respect among differing viewpoints.
Deep dives
Sarah Owen's New Role in Women's Rights
Sarah Owen has been elected as the chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, taking on the responsibility to hold the government accountable for women's rights and minority issues. This role allows her to address pressing concerns such as maternity care and women's safety, particularly in light of alarming statistics regarding maternal mortality rates. During her tenure, she intends to prioritize health inequalities, advocating for systemic changes to promote preventive measures rather than reactive solutions. Owen's focus also includes fostering community cohesion to combat extremism and promote diversity, which is crucial in her role as an MP for Luton.
Addressing Health Inequalities
A significant concern raised by Sarah Owen is the widening health inequalities, particularly around maternity care, where evidence shows disparities based on race and socio-economic status. It is reported that Black women are disproportionately affected, facing higher mortality rates during childbirth. The committee will seek to investigate underlying service-level issues causing these disparities, emphasizing the need to treat not just acute health problems but also to focus on prevention. By considering the broader context of community health, Owen aims to ensure that women's rights to safe and equitable maternity care are upheld.
Women's Safety and Justice System Challenges
Women's safety remains a critical focus for Sarah Owen, especially concerning the underreporting of crimes like rape, where only a small percentage lead to prosecution. The long wait times for justice, compounded by the lack of serious consideration by the justice system, contribute to a climate of fear that deters reporting. Owen advocates for faster processing of rape and sexual assault cases to ensure timely justice for victims. Furthermore, she highlights the importance of changing societal attitudes toward addressing misogyny to improve women's safety both in public spaces and within the justice system.
The Importance of Community and Grassroots Engagement
Sarah Owen emphasizes the need for grassroots feedback from communities, aiming to hear from those whose voices are often marginalized in political discussions. By engaging directly with communities outside of traditional political channels, the committee can gain insights into the real issues faced by women and minorities. Owen critiques past practices that favored well-connected voices over collective public input, advocating for a more inclusive approach. She plans to foster dialogue and collaboration to better understand the challenges people face and refine the committee’s focus based on those experiences.
Trans Rights and Balancing Societal Views
The ongoing debate regarding the rights of transgender people, especially in relation to women's spaces, presents a complex challenge for Sarah Owen and her committee. Owen recognizes the need for respectful dialogue that takes into account the concerns of both women's rights advocates and transgender individuals. Striking a balance without compromising anyone's safety or dignity is paramount. She advocates for inclusive discussions that can navigate these sensitive topics in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding rather than division.
The newly elected Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Labour MP Sarah Owen, joins Anita Rani on the programme to discuss the remit of her new role and what she hopes to achieve.
Tracy Chevalier’s new novel The Glassmaker follows a Murano glassmaking family through hundreds of years of Venetian history. Time plays strange tricks as it follows Orsola Rosso, who is nine in 1486, all the way to the present day, when she is in her late sixties. Tracy joins Anita to discuss her love story that encompasses centuries of passion and longing.
72-year-old Gisele Pelicot has been testifying in court against her husband, Dominique. He is accused of drugging her repeatedly over the course of a decade and inviting men to the house to rape her while she was unconscious. This was only discovered because he was caught by the police for upskirting in 2020. To get the latest updates on the case, Anita speaks to BBC Correspondent Andrew Harding. She is also joined by campaigner Gina Martin, who helped to make upskirting illegal in the UK.
A new play, The Lightest Element, which has opened at Hampstead Theatre, explores the life and career of astronomer Cecila Payne-Gaposchkin, the first person to work out what stars are made of. Anita is joined by actor Maureen Beatie, who plays Cecilia, and the playwright Stella Feehilly.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Emma Pearce
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