Woman's Hour

A new report from SheRACES and Fund Her Tri UK has found that women triathletes can experience unacceptable harassment at events. It also showed that women competitors struggle with the lack of toilet facilities and changing facilities. Sophie Power is an ultrarunner and founder of SheRACES – she joins Nuala McGovern to tell us more about the report and the change they hope to make.A lawyer representing several alleged victims of Sean 'Diddy' Combs says the potential number of civil legal cases against the musician "is probably in the 300 range". The BBC's Mark Savage reminds us of the allegations against the US rapper. Mr Combs has denied all the charges against him.Campaigners are calling for an end to the “Prostitutes Caution”, saying it’s preventing women leaving sex work behind them. The caution stays on record for 100 years and there’s no appeal possible. A new report from the English Collective of Prostitutes says two thirds of women they surveyed who’d been given one found it hard to get a different type of job. Nuala talks to spokesperson for the ECP, Laura Watson, and MP for Nottingham East Nadia Whittombe, who’s backing the campaign for a change in the law.Imani Erriu’s Heavenly Bodies Trilogy has taken TikTok by storm. With its mix of romance and fantasy, it’s inspiring a new generation of readers. She shares her journey from self-publishing to viral success and the magic behind her stories.Women in Afghanistan have been banned from midwife and nurse training under a reported new Taliban decree. What impact is this having on those women? And what about the further impact on the health of women and children in Afghanistan? Nurse and journalist Bahaar Joya tells us more.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Kirsty Starkey

A new analysis on the quality and quantity of childcare provision in England has revealed that the huge expansion of free childcare currently underway is at risk of not delivering for poorer families, according to a new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Save the Children. Author of the report Jodie Reed and Phoebe Arslanagic-Little, Head of the New Deal for Parents at Onward, join Nuala McGovern to discuss.People in Syria are still celebrating in the streets after Bashar al-Assad was toppled from power at the weekend. For many, the regime change is personally life-changing, especially those who fled the country and now feel like it’s safe to return home. One of those is the BBC’s very own Middle East Correspondent Lina Sinjab, who was forced to leave in 2013 after multiple arrests and threats. Now, she’s back in Damascus, working freely as a journalist for the first time in many years. She tells Nuala what that's like.A new Spanish-language film, Sujo, examines the life of an orphan in Mexico after his father, a cartel gunman, is killed. It’s a fictional look into the real-life implications of cartel violence for people living in certain parts of Mexico, and it shows the key roles that women play in trying to help this young man move through his life. Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez are the co-directors and they join Nuala to discuss it.After going through chemotherapy for breast cancer, hairdresser Anastasia Cameron was told at a salon in Wales that they didn’t offer Afro wigs. She joins Nuala to discuss her experience and how she’s now helping other women in similar situations with her own wig business.

What does the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria mean for both the present and future of women on the ground? Nuala McGovern is joined by Chief Foreign Correspondent at The Times, Christina Lamb, and Senior Research Fellow at the London School of Economics and member of the Women's Advisory Board to the UN special envoy to Syria, Dr Rim Turkmani. Journalist Rhiannon Picton-James says you couldn’t pay her to have another child in the UK – because she believes it’s a ‘cruel and unfriendly’ country. Is she right? What are we doing wrong? Rhiannon joins Nuala in the studio to discuss, along with comedian Esther Manito.The rivalry between silver-screen icons Bette Davis and Joan Crawford is the stuff of legend, a decades-long battle sparked by both professional and personal resentments. Now the story is being told in a re-boot of the play Bette & Joan, now showing at the Park Theatre in London. Greta Scaachi, who plays Bette, and Felicity Dean, who plays Joan, join Nuala to tell us more about the pair’s infamous relationship.Lisa O’Neill is an internationally renowned singer-songwriter who has built a reputation internationally for her unique folk sound and powerful song writing. Lisa joins Nuala to speak about the women who have inspired her, why she puts messages of social justice in her music, and to perform live in the studio. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Lottie Garton

Powerhouse actors Keira Knightley and Sarah Lancashire are starring alongside Ben Wishaw in new Netflix spy drama Black Doves. It follows the story of a female spy seeking revenge for the murder of her lover – whilst outwardly being married to a high-ranking politician. Keira and Sarah spoke to Nuala McGovern about the drama, their careers and their experiences as women in the film industry.Sutara Gayle is an actor and reggae artist. She fuses music with memories of her eventful life in a new show: The Legends of Them. From hearing her radio debut whilst in Holloway Prison on remand, to the Brixton uprisings in 1985 that were sparked by the shooting of her sister, the show explores a hugely varied and at times deeply moving portrayal of her life, and the women who have shaped it. Sutara joined Anita Rani in the studio.Professor Nicola Rollock is best known for her academic research and writing on race and society. As a friend of the programme, she approached us to ask to talk about something more personal - her experience of uterine fibroids, something that affects around 70% of women, but this rises to 80% for black women. Nicola joined Nuala alongside Hilary Critchley, Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, to discuss more.After the actor Anna Maxwell Martin spoke on the programme about the grief she experienced after her husband died suddenly in 2021, we were inundated with listeners sharing their stories. Two of them, Giselle De Hasse and Heather Ashley, joined Anita to talk about how they manage their grief day to day.Author Josie Lloyd joined Nuala to discuss her new novel featuring fictional Alice Beeton, the prim and organised owner of The Good Household Management Agency and distant relative of the real-life Victorian cookery and household writer Mrs Beeton. Alice and her ancestor share a love of recipes and an eye for detail, which comes in handy when Alice becomes involved in a cosy, Christmassy crime in Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Annette Wells Editor: Louise Corley

Influencers on TikTok and Instagram are selling fake ‘cures’ for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition, according to a new BBC investigation. The BBC World Service tracked the most-watched videos with a #PCOS hashtag on TikTok and Instagram and found that half of them spread false information. Jacqui Wakefield, a BBC 100 Women reporter, has been investigating and joins Anita Rani to discuss. Sutara Gayle is an actor and reggae artist. She fuses music with memories of her eventful life in a new show: The Legends of Them. From hearing her radio debut whilst in Holloway Prison on remand, to the Brixton uprisings in 1985 that were sparked by the shooting of her sister, the show explores a hugely varied and at times deeply moving portrayal of her life, and the women who have shaped it. Sutara joins Anita in the studio. This year’s Radio 4 Christmas Appeal with St Martin-in-the-Fields to support those who are experiencing, or who are at risk of, homelessness across the UK is now underway. One of the charities your donations have helped this year is called Rowan Alba and it runs residential services in Edinburgh. We hear from resident Elvira, psychologist Sarah Phillips and Anita speaks to Tracey Stewart from Rowan Alba. To find out more, visit the Radio 4 Christmas Appeal website.A judge has ruled that MMA fighter Conor McGregor must pay the legal costs of Nikita Hand, who accused him of raping her in a hotel in Dublin in 2018. We explore the impact the ruling has had in Ireland with BBC journalist Aoife Walsh.On yesterday’s programme, the DJ Annie Mac spoke about the healing power of raving. Milly Day was listening and got in touch to tell us about her thesis on the subject. She joins Anita.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Emma Pearce

There have been reports that Afghan women are being banned from midwife and nursing courses in the latest blow to their rights. Women training as midwives and nurses in Afghanistan have told the BBC they were ordered not to return to classes, and five separate institutions across Afghanistan have also confirmed to the BBC that the Taliban had instructed them to close until further notice, with videos shared online showing students crying at the news. The BBC has yet to confirm the order officially with the Taliban government's health ministry. Anita Rani discusses what is potentially happening with BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Caroline Hawley.After the actor Anna Maxwell Martin spoke on the programme about the grief she experienced after her husband died suddenly in 2021, we were inundated with listeners sharing their stories. Two of them, Giselle De Hasse and Heather Ashley, join Anita to talk about how they manage their grief day to day, along with Dr Shelley Gilbert, the founder and president of Grief Encounter and a consultant psychotherapist.Daytime clubbing is a thing. All over the country, events are taking place, where you party early - and finish early - with plenty of time to be in your bed at a reasonable hour. So, whatever happened to the big night out? Is 3pm the new 9pm? And why are these early evening finishes becoming so popular? Anita is joined by DJ Annie Mac, the broadcaster, author, and events curator. Annie started her own version of an early finishing club event Before Midnight in 2022, with her 'nights' now running UK-wide.The artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman creates kaleidoscopic paintings, prints, etchings and moving images inspired by her Indian heritage. Chila was born in Toxteth in Merseyside and use materials like bindis and ice cream cones in her installations to represent her Asian identity as well as her working-class Liverpudlian childhood. She says she aims to challenge stereotypes and create an alternative perspective of Britishness. Chila joins Anita to talk about her eponymous book which brings together work from four decades and Neon Dreams, her exhibition at The Holburne Museum in Bath, which includes a life-size neon tiger in the ballroom and a giant multi-coloured neon lightshow on the façade of the museum building.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rebecca Myatt

South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza has performed at many of the leading opera houses across Europe and the United States and released her debut album Voice of Hope, combining well-known arias with traditional and popular African songs. She has won critical acclaim in the title role of Aida at the State Opera Hannover, as the Fox in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen at the English National Opera and this summer performed at London’s Classical Pride. She is about to accompany Bryn Terfel on a Christmas tour around the UK and joins Nuala in the studio to sing live.CensHERship is an organisation that looks into ways in which women’s health companies are censored across both online and financial platforms. A new report from them sets out how even including a word like ‘vagina’ in the launch of a sexual health product can mean that product is blocked. Co-founder of CensHERship Clio Wood joins Nuala to discuss what needs to be done and the findings of the report, alongside Tess Cosad, CEO and co-founder of Bea Fertility, and Farah Kabir, co-founder of Hanx – both of whom have experienced censorship of their business.Author Josie Lloyd joins Nuala to discuss her new novel featuring fictional Alice Beeton, the prim and organised owner of The Good Household Management Agency and distant relative of the real-life Victorian cookery and household writer Mrs Beeton. Alice and her ancestor share a love of recipes and an eye for detail, which comes in handy when Alice becomes involved in a cosy, Christmassy crime in Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Laura Northedge

Powerhouse actors Keira Knightley and Sarah Lancashire are starring alongside Ben Wishaw in new Netflix spy drama Black Doves. It follows the story of a female spy seeking revenge for the murder of her lover – whilst outwardly being married to a high-ranking politician. Keira and Sarah speak to Nuala McGovern about the drama, their careers and their experiences as women in the film industry. Victims of stalking could be given more protection from their abusers under new government proposals. The Home Office has today revealed six new measures to tackle the problem of stalking which is so prolific - official figures show that one in five women aged 16 and over in England and Wales have been a victim of stalking at least once. The new rules would include the right for victims to know the identity of online stalkers much sooner, and a wider use of stalking protection orders, as well as a review of current stalking legislation. Emma Lingley-Clark interim CEO at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust responds to the announcement.73-year-old Jane Rubens from Edinburgh was enjoying a holiday in the US when the worst thing happened. Whilst crossing a walkway in St Louis, Missouri she was hit by an SUV. She suffered a serious brain injury, broken ribs and a fractured collarbone. After multiple brain surgeries, she is now in an induced coma in a US hospital. Against medical advice, the insurance provider AXA Partners gave her family an ultimatum, fly her home to Scotland immediately, or they'll remove funding for her hospital care. Her daughter, Cat Rubens, tells Nuala how she used social media to fight the company’s decision. Raye has been named as one of the people on this year's BBC 100 Women list, which celebrates 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world every year. This year she won six Brit awards including songwriter of the year - the first time a woman has been given that particular accolade. We hear her speaking to BBC 100 Women’s Kirsty Grant about her huge success and the pressure she feels female artists are under. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Kirsty Starkey

In this episode, Woman's Hour's Nuala McGovern introduces a bonus podcast in collaboration with BBC 100 Women. It’s an interview with the award-winning singer-songwriter Raye, who has been named as one of the people on this year's BBC 100 Women list, which celebrates 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world.Raye speaks to BBC 100 Women’s Kirsty Grant about her huge success, the abuse she says female artists get for doing well, and her dream of opening a jazz club.You can read more about the women on the BBC 100 Women list here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b086xrtd

The TV presenter Gregg Wallace has denied behaviour of a sexually harassing nature, after 13 people came forward last week with allegations of inappropriate comments. In a video posted on Instagram, he said the accusations had been made by 'a handful of middle-class women of a certain age'. Nuala McGovern is joined by former head of Channel 4 News Dorothy Byrne and the Chair of the Fawcett Society, Baroness Harriet Harman, to discuss.When Daniel Wing was a year old, his mother Tina was murdered. 32 years on, the murder still remains unsolved – but a spotlight is thrown on the case in a new documentary: Who Murdered You, Mum? Nuala is joined by Daniel and barrister Harriet Johnson to talk about what the programme shows in terms of change in fighting violence against women and girls, and what needs to happen next to keep women safe.Professor Nicola Rollock is best known for her academic research and writing on race and society. As a friend of the programme, she approached us to ask to talk about something more personal - her experience of uterine fibroids, something that affects around 70% of women, but this rises to 80% for black women. Nicola joins Nuala alongside Hilary Critchley, Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, to discuss more.Hindi-language film, Laapataa Ladies, also known as Lost Ladies, has just been submitted for Bafta consideration. Set in 2001 in rural India, it follows two separate newlywed brides, Phool and Jaya, whose lives take unexpected turns after a mix-up on a crowded train. It's director, filmmaker Kiran Rao joins Nuala live in the studio to discuss the film and its variety of female characters.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Lottie Garton