Woman's Hour

Bernardine Evaristo is the winner of The Women’s Prize Outstanding Contribution Award - a one-off literary honour to mark the 30th anniversary year of the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Bernardine joins Nuala McGovern to discuss her huge body of work and career highlights including winning the Booker Prize in 2019 for her novel Girl, Woman, Other, and her role as a champion for women and women of colour in the creative industries. Yesterday South Korea voted in its new president Lee Jae-myung, but many women are concerned about the leader’s silence on gender equality in a country where the gender pay gap is one of the largest in Asia. Min Hee Go is Professor of Political Science at Ewha Women’s University in Seoul, she tells Nuala McGovern about the growth of anti-feminist rhetoric within South Korea’s political establishment, and the future of women’s rights in the country.Hundreds of historic child sex abuse cases could be re-opened after police forces carried out reviews ordered by the Home Secretary to tackle grooming gangs. Some 287 closed cases have been identified so far by police in England and Wales to be looked at again by a national task force on child sexual exploitation, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Home Affairs Committee yesterday. Nuala gets reaction from Maggie Oliver, the former detective who blew the whistle on the failure to tackle grooming gangs in Rochdale.Consumed by paranoia, superstition and a ruthless sense of justice, a climate of fear and mass hysteria sweeps through the town of Salem, Massachusetts when rumours grow that a group of girls are practising witchcraft. What lies are the townspeople prepared to tell themselves in order to survive? A new production of The Crucible is currently on stage at the Globe Theatre in London. Nuala is joined by Ola Ince the director and Hannah Saxby who plays Abigail Williams – the primary instigator of the witch trials that follow.

Tina Knowles, the mother of icons Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Solange Knowles and bonus daughter Kelly Rowland, has just published her memoir Matriarch. It tells the story of how a resilient little girl, born in difficult times, became a powerhouse, guiding her daughters to their potential. How she, the great-granddaughter of two enslaved women, went from what she describes as a little, two-bedroom “poor house” with seven people in Galveston, Texas, to being the head of one of the most successful and high-profile families in the world. Ms Tina joins Nuala McGovern in the Woman’s Hour studio. A new search has been launched in Portugal by police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Madeleine was just three years old when she vanished while on holiday with her family in the resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007. Her disappearance sparked a Europe-wide police investigation and is one of the most high-profile unsolved missing person cases. German detectives are leading the search as they suspect she was murdered by a man who's currently in prison in Germany. BBC correspondent Daniel Sandford joins us from Praia da Luzh. Northern Ireland doesn’t have a Mother and Baby unit to treat mums who are diagnosed with severe post-natal depression including post partum psychosis. Instead women are admitted to a General Psychiatric ward where they are separated from their babies. A BBC investigation has found that around 100 mums in Northern Ireland are admitted to a general psychiatric ward each year where they will be among other men and women who have a range of complex mental health issues. And these can be mixed wards. We hear from BBC’s Northern Ireland correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly who has made a Spotlight programme called Mums in Crisis and Dr Julie Anderson, consultant perinatal psychiatrist and Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatry in NI.We know that there are structural barriers that women face to take the leap and start up a new business. Less than 2% of venture capital private investors funding goes to women only start-ups, according to Government figures. But Imperial College London are taking some big steps to address the barriers through a programme they run for women in the evenings called “WE Innovate” which gives women coaching and the practical skills and tools they need to figure out if their business idea has legs, how to pitch it to investors and how to develop it into a fully formed product. We’re joined by the head of the programme, Sarah Ranchev-Hale, and Dr Olivia Ahn, a success story of the programme who has invented the first certified flushable period pad which will be launched in shops soon. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Kirsty Starkey

Ita O'Brien, an acclaimed intimacy coordinator known for her work on popular shows like Normal People, discusses the importance of intimacy guidelines in film and TV. Professor Vijay Kunadian tackles the alarming underrepresentation of women in heart disease clinical trials, emphasizing the need for inclusive research. The conversation also touches on the evolving beauty industry influenced by social media and celebrity culture, highlighting the fresh perspectives from female figures in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Three-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, known for roles in films such as Maestro, Promising Young Woman and Suffragette, returns to our cinema screens in the comedy drama The Ballad of Wallis Island. She talked to Anita Rani about playing ex-folk singer Nell, working on a film set with a young baby, and why she loves musicals.Earlier this week, goalkeeper Mary Earps, one of England's most high profile footballers, announced her retirement from the international game. Her decision comes just five weeks before the Lionesses go to the European Championships to defend their title. Jessica Creighton was joined was joined by football writer for the Guardian Suzy Wrack, and sports lecturer at the University of Worcester and professional goalkeeping coach, Dr Julia West, to discuss why Mary took this decision.Announcements of cuts to foreign aid this year from both the UK and US governments, amongst others, have left many organisations facing funding issues and putting their programmes at risk. As humanitarian crises continue across the world, including in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, with many vulnerable people suffering including women and girls, the need to provide aid remains as high as ever. Dr Helen Pankhurst, Senior Advisor on Gender Equality for Care International UK, and Sofia Calltrop, the UN Women Chief of Humanitarian Aid, discussed with Kylie Pentelow the effects of these cuts on women and girls globally and the importance of gender equality programming.The American folk trio I’m With Her have routinely taken time out from their individual careers to dream up songs together. On their long-awaited second album Wild and Clear and Blue, they sing about reaching into the past, navigating a chaotic present, and bravely moving forward into the unknown. They joined Kylie in the studio.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Annette Wells Editor: Sarah Jane Griffiths

Two deeply disturbing cases in France have reignited national debate about how the justice system handles sexual violence. In December last year, Dominique Pelicot was found guilty of repeatedly drugging and raping his wife while she was unconscious and inviting other men to do the same. This week, Joël Le Scouarnec, a retired surgeon, was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in jail for sexually abusing almost 300 people, mostly children. His victims have spoken out against this sentence and lawyers have called for a change in the law. Jessica Creighton is joined by Blandine Deverlanges, a feminist activist and the Founder of Les Amazones d’Avignon, and BBC correspondent Hugh Schofield to discuss the situation. Three-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, known for roles in films such as Maestro, Promising Young Woman and Suffragette, returns to our cinema screens in the comedy drama The Ballad of Wallis Island. She talks about playing ex-folk singer Nell, working on a film set with a young baby, and how she feels about turning 40. The Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, is about to appoint a new chief and it's looking very likely that it will be a woman for the first time in the organisation's 115-year history. Former BBC defence correspondent Gordon Corera and spy novelist Ava Glass tell Jessica who's in the running and how significant it is that this organisation could be run by a woman.A new blood test which will help develop personalised cancer treatment is going to be rolled out across the NHS. The technique, known as a 'liquid biopsy' will be offered as a standard for lung cancer patients, and the NHS is now planning on expanding this testing to advanced breast cancer patients. Jessica is joined by Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, to discuss how this works and the impact it could have.Earlier this week, goalkeeper Mary Earps, one of England's most high profile footballers, announced her retirement from the international game. Her decision comes just five weeks before the Lionesses go to the European Championships to defend their title. Joining Jessica to discuss her decision is football writer for the Guardian Suzy Wrack, and sports lecturer at the University of Worcester and professional goalkeeping coach, Dr Julia West. Presenter: Jessica Creighton Producer: Andrea Kidd

On Friday, a one-year pilot, which gives victims of serious sexual assault access to transcripts of judge’s sentencing remarks, will end. The Ministry of Justice has said the scheme will be made permanent, although it will stay under review as more victims access the service. Anita Rani is joined by BBC London home affairs correspondent Sonja Jessup, along with forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes, to discuss the success of the pilot and how the experience of being a victim-witness might psychologically impact victims. With housing costs rising and social care stretched, more families are choosing - or needing - to live under one roof. Anita speaks to two women navigating the ups and downs of multigenerational life: Alison Taylor, who moved her parents in with her children, and Katie Fforde, who welcomed her grown-up children and grandchildren back home. A new report conducted in collaboration with the dating app, FEELD, has suggested that in reaction to the loneliness felt during and after the pandemic, more people have looked at exploring the different types of romantic relationships available – such as consensual non-monogamy and polyamory. How do those engaging in new relationship hierarchies navigate "relationship anarchy"? Anita talks to Ana Kirova, CEO of FEELD, Ana Kirova and to author, Chloe Seager, about her experiences with non-monogamy.And Anita talks to Catherine Whitaker about the primetime night session slot on Court Philippe Chatrier at the French Open where, according to reports, a women's singles match has not taken place since 2023.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Laura Northedge

Despite opposition from clerics in Pakistan, a bill banning child marriage in Pakistan’s capital city, Islamabad, has recently been passed by the National Assembly and awaits the signature of the President. Azadeh Moshiri, BBC Pakistan correspondent and Senator Sherry Rehman, who has spent more than 7 years campaigning to get it through, join Kylie Pentelow. The American folk trio I’m With Her have routinely taken time out from their individual careers to dream up songs together. On their long-awaited second album Wild and Clear and Blue, they sing about reaching into the past, navigating a chaotic present, and bravely moving forward into the unknown. They join Kylie in the studio.From displays to collections, the lack of female specimens at natural history museums shows a clear gender bias -- that's according to Assistant Director of the Museum of Zoology at the University of Cambridge Jack Ashby. Jack has written about this as part of his new book, and he joins Kylie to tell us more. Metro journalist Alice Giddings has been spat on, not once, but twice, as she was out jogging on the streets of west London. Keen to find out other women's experiences, she began an investigation, in partnership with the organisation Women's Running, to discover other women's experiences. She joins Kylie. Madeline Potter grew up in a Roma family in post-communist Romania. She’s traced the history and stories of her community, as well as her own experiences and treatment across continental Europe and the UK in her book, The Roma: A Travelling History. Presenter: Kylie Pentelow Producer: Emma Pearce

Known to many as Kayleigh in Peter Kay’s Car Share, Sian Gibson joins Kylie Pentelow to discuss her hit BBC comedy The Power of Parker which returns for a second series this week. Sian co-wrote and stars in the series as Kath, a mobile hairdresser by trade and the devoted mistress of her sister’s husband. Set around the fortunes of the Parker family’s electrical shop in 1990s Stockport, the next instalment sees a shift of power between the trio of Kath, her sister Diane and the object of their affection, Martin Parker.If you open the website for online retailer Shein, a pop-up immediately appears offering a ‘special deal’ just for you. But are these savings what they seem? Yesterday the EU told the Chinese fast-fashion website that these discounts, as well as other pressure-selling tactics on its website, infringe EU consumer law and they’ve given Shein one month to respond or face fines. Mitch Labiak, senior business journalist for the BBC, explains more.Argentinian author Agustina Bazterrica’s novel Tender is the Flesh became a worldwide sensation, with sales of over half a million copies in the English translation alone. She talks about her most recent novel, The Unworthy, which is set post-climate apocalypse in a walled sanctuary known as the Sacred Sisterhood. But is it a refuge from the disease and violence that exist outside its walls or a dangerous prison for the women who live there?Announcements of cuts to foreign aid this year from both the UK government and US government, amongst others, have left many organisations facing funding issues and putting their programmes at risk. As humanitarian crises continue across the world, including in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, with many vulnerable people suffering including women and girls, the need to provide aid remains as high as ever. Dr Helen Pankhurst, Senior Advisor on Gender Equality for Care International UK, and Sofia Calltrop, the UN Women Chief of Humanitarian Aid, discuss the effects of these cuts on women and girls globally and the importance of gender equality programming.Since Labour has come to power, there’s been a number of issues that have divided the party. From tax rises to whether it should be a two or three-child benefit cap, the tension has been tangible. And with accusations of briefings against female cabinet ministers, what impact is this Labour in-fighting having on women in the party? We spoke to chief political commentator for the I paper, Kitty Donaldson, and UK politics commentator for Bloomberg, Rosa Prince.Presenter: Kylie Pentelow Producer: Kirsty Starkey

In a special bank holiday programme, Anita Rani escapes from the studio and spends the day at a dairy farm in Devon to explore the reality of female farmers’ lives.Farmer Lorna Burdge shows Anita what a day in her life as a dairy farmer involves, from milking at 6am to feeding calves, measuring grass, looking after her three children and tackling invoices in the office.We hear about a groundbreaking three-year study into the health and wellbeing of female farmers announced by the University of Exeter and Farming Community Network. Dr Rebecca Wheeler, the project lead from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research, and Linda Jones, from the charity Farming Community Network, explain why the study is needed, who they want to hear from and what they hope it will achieve.Farming Today and Countryfile presenter Charlotte Smith gives Anita some of the context and policy changes of the last few years in the industry which some say have impacted farmers’ wellbeing.Anita has a cup of tea in the farmhouse kitchen and hears from three women farmers about the challenges, stresses, achievements and joys of their jobs. Joining Anita and Lorna are Sinead Fenton, an edible flower and herb farmer in East Sussex, and Caroline Millar, who has an arable, lamb and beef farm near Dundee in Scotland.What action is being taken to address some of the challenges for women in this industry? Anita hears from Rachel Hallos, the Vice-President of the National Farmers’ Union for England and Wales, an organisation which represents thousands of farmers and is looking at the experience of female farmers.And finally, Katie Davies, who was awarded Farming Woman of the Year at the National Women in Agriculture Awards 2025, tells Anita why she’s trying to inspire more women to get into farming.For more information on the three-year study on the wellbeing of female farmers, and how to take part in the research, head to: https://exe.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5pqBN1BBqIxEns2Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Olivia Bolton Assistant Producer: Claire Fox Editor: Karen Dalziel

If you've ever had the bad luck of getting a UTI - or urinary tract infection - you'll know how painful they can be. It's a bacterial infection which can affect the bladder, urethra or kidneys and give a burning or stinging sensation when you urinate. Yesterday, in a powerful parliamentary session, the Labour MP Allison Gardner spoke through tears as she described her experiences of chronic UTIs. The MP for Stoke-on-Trent is now hoping to launch a cross-party parliamentary group to look at chronic UTIs. Allison joined Anita Rani, along with GP Ellie Cannon.This week, the BBC launches the Women’s Summer of Sport, marking the start of a bumper summer of coverage including the Euros, the Rugby World Cup and Queen’s tennis tournament. The Welsh women’s football team have been called 'history makers' after qualifying for the European Championship for the first time. Three of the players, Josie Green, Lily Woodham and Elise Hughes, tell us what this means for them and how they are preparing for their debut tournament.The Bombing of Pan Am 103, is a new BBC drama series. It's based on the true story of the bombing of a passenger flight over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie on 21 December 1988, in which 270 people were killed. Kathryn Turman was an assistant to a federal senator at the time of the bombing. After the trial, she joined the FBI, where she founded the agency’s first-ever Victim Services Division. Her experience in the aftermath of the Pan Am bombing proved invaluable to the FBI’s response to the 9/11 attacks, and she has aided victims and families throughout major moments in history, including the Las Vegas shooting and the Boston marathon bombing. She discusses her mission to help victims, and what inspired her work in public service.Five years after the murder of George Floyd, a black man, by a white police officer in Minneapolis, a new BBC documentary is reflecting on the wave of Black Lives Matter protests that followed, including in the UK. Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd tells the story through the eyes of some of those who found themselves on the frontline during the spring and summer of 2020, including Khady Gueye, who made headlines after a local protest she planned in the Forest of Dean was initially cancelled. She joined Nuala McGovern, along with author and producer Nova Reid, to reflect on the impact the events of that time have had on their lives, and what has changed since then.Liane Child’s novel The Trad Wife’s Secret is inspired by influencers who believe in traditional gender roles in marriage. So is this a wholesome phenomenon or a dangerous and sexist regression? And what is the appeal to the millions of people who follow 'trad wives' online? Liane Child joined Nuala along with British 'traditional housewife' and influencer Charlie Gray.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Annette Wells Editor: Andrea Kidd