Woman's Hour

Amanda Abbington joins Anita Rani to talk about her new role in Tawni O’Dell’s play When It Happens To You. Amanda plays Tara, a mother who is desperately trying to hold her family together after her daughter is brutally attacked. She discusses playing a mother whose own trauma is triggered by her daughter’s experiences and how a culture of shame can lead to women’s silence.In the latest in our series on ‘genre fiction’, we turn to the UK’s most popular genre: crime fiction. Jane Casey is the creator of the award-winning and gritty Maeve Kerrigan detective series, most recently appearing in A Stranger in the Family. Janice Hallett has been dubbed the 'Queen of cosy crime' for her unconventional and popular epistolary style mystery books, including her new novel The Examiner. They talk to Anita about the evolution of women as murderers and sleuths in crime fiction, and whether crime can ever be 'cosy'.Is there asbestos in make-up? The new Radio 4 series Talc Tales investigates questions about the safety of talc in make-up and cosmetics after women diagnosed with cancer have launched court cases against some cosmetic companies, claiming products are contaminated with asbestos. Anita is joined in the studio by BBC journalist Phoebe Keane to hear what she found while making the series.For a while now there has been a war going on social media over the length of your socks. If you are a millennial you are most likely wearing ankle socks. Whereas Gen-Z are hiking them right up to their knees. Anita delves into sock politics with Frankie Graddon and Ellie Muir.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Laura Northedge

Anne Hawk, an insightful author, delves into the community's resilience following the tragic riots in Southport, discussing coping mechanisms for families in distress. The podcast also celebrates Simone Biles' remarkable achievements, including her eighth Olympic gold medal, and highlights her courageous advocacy for mental health in sports. Additionally, the conversation touches on the emotional legacy of the Windrush generation, exploring the familial impacts of separation and the importance of communication and connection in overcoming adversity.

The Labour government has confirmed that it will act on its manifesto commitment to change the way private school fees are taxed across the UK. The current exemption from VAT will be removed, in order to fund 6,500 new teachers in England, and the change is coming in January next year, sooner than previously thought. Nuala McGovern gets the latest from the BBC’s Education Correspondent Elaine Dunkley, then speaks to Sarah, a parent whose son is at private school, and is also joined by Sarah Cunnane from the Independent Schools Council and Harry Quilter-Pinner from the IPPR to discuss.The Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde has caused controversy at this year’s Paris Olympics. He is a convicted child rapist and was met with some booing when he came out for his debut match on Sunday. In 2014, when he was 19, he raped a 12-year-old British girl. He met his victim on Facebook and travelled from Amsterdam to the UK. His involvement has raised questions of whether it's appropriate for him to be representing his country at the highest level. Nuala is joined by Mhairi Maclennan, a survivor of sexual abuse herself who is also the CEO of Kyniska Advocacy, which supports women and victims of abuse in sport and Jo Easton, joint CEO and Director of Policy and Advocacy of the charity Unlock which campaigns for people with criminal records.Concert pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen’s new album, Reformation, recreates Tudor music from this tumultuous time in English history. She talks to Nuala about the role that some women played in developing music – including the influence of Elizabeth I, musical nuns and risqué dances.How do you feel about people on public transport playing content loudly on their phones? Do you sit through the noise or ask them to listen on headphones? Journalist Hannah Ewens recently did the latter and talks to Nuala about how it’s revolutionised her commute. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Maryam Maruf Studio Managers: Steve Greenwood and Emma Harth

A stabbing attack in the Southport area of Merseyside has, at the time of going to air, killed a number of children and critically injured others. Nuala McGovern is joined by BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Lauren Moss to give us the latest. She also hears from the Labour and Cooperative Party Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, Emily Spurrell, and the Reverend Marie-Anne Kent on how the community are coming together to support each other. NB. The number of fatalities and injured was correct at the time of broadcast. For full updates head to the BBC News website. Irita Marriott says she is one of very few women in the UK to own an auction house. She’s the subject of a new documentary that follows her setting up her business and discovering personal stories along with antiques. She joins Nuala to talk about what it’s like to be a woman in the industry and why she loves it so much. Many of us will have been enjoying watching some coverage of the Olympics in Paris. But is that coverage occasionally sexist? The head of the Olympic Broadcasting Service has asked that camera operators avoid sexist filming of sporting events. This comes as a commentator for the channel Eurosport has been removed after making sexist remarks about Australia’s female swimmers. Dr Andrea Geurin, Professor of sport business, marketing and communication at Loughborough University, joins Nuala to discuss. In the last of our series on the hobbies that you’ve taken up again after years, our reporter Sarah Swadling speaks to a woman who rediscovered her passion for drama and joined the village panto. Have you seen a lot of orange around recently? The fake tan is back – but it’s apparently now better than before - more sophisticated. Celebrities are sporting the bronzed look, and sales of fake tan are up – but why has it returned? And is it actually good for you? Nuala is joined by Assistant Editor of Femail Jessica Taylor to discuss. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Lottie Garton

The Irish novelist Edna O'Brien has died aged 93. President of Ireland Michael D Higgins said she was "one of the outstanding writers of modern times". She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of women's lives against repressive expectations in Irish society. Her first novel, The Country Girls, was published in 1960 and became part of a trilogy that was banned in Ireland for their references to sexual expression and social issues. Nuala McGovern speaks to Irish novelist Eimear McBride, who knew Edna.Parents, children and politicians all agree that the SEND education system for children with special educational needs and disabilities is 'broken'. How can it be fixed? The Local Government Association and the County Councils Network have published a 'landmark' report which warns that the current system is failing children and too adversarial. Reporter Carolyn Atkinson investigates. The Government accepts educational outcomes are 'flatlining', as parents and local authorities are pitted against each other. But 12 chief executives of leading childrens' charities are warning that some of the suggestions in the report won't work. Katie Ghose, CEO of Kids, joins Nuala in the studio to discuss.The US presidential election race now looks set, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris attempting to win the confidence of US voters. Today, we're taking a closer look at the Republicans and how their policies might shape women's rights in America. Nuala speaks to the BBC US Special Correspondent Katty Kay, who's also written four New York Times bestselling books on women and work. Hailed as the 'Carmen of our time', mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina was chosen to lead the cast of Bizet’s immortal masterpiece in eight international productions in one season. At the age of 27, Aigul has made history as the youngest artist ever to take on the title role at both the Royal Opera House in London and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Her debut album features a portrait of her famed Carmen and other operatic arias, including a Bashkort folk song. She joins Nuala to discuss her music, and perform live in the studio.Presented by Nuala McGovern Producer: Louise Corley

Zara Sehar, an award-winning poet, shares powerful verses about honor killings and offers insights on the hidden struggles of British-Asian women. Sculptor Dominique White discusses her innovative maritime-inspired sculptures, shedding light on the challenges of being a woman in the art world. Comedian Sashi Perera adds humor to serious topics, touching on the dynamics of friendships in the age of partnerships. Together, they explore resilience through art, poetry, and personal stories, highlighting significant social issues.

The Paris 2024 Olympics start this evening with the opening ceremony. It's the first time an equal number of men and women will compete in a summer Games. To discuss the sportswomen you should keep an eye out for, Anita Rani is joined by Jeanette Kwakye, a former Olympian herself and now BBC pundit, and also BBC Sport reporter Laura Scott. Adoption England have described an ‘unprecedented’ decline in adoption rates. For the first time in recent years, there are now more children in need of adoption than those looking to adopt. To discuss why, Anita is joined by Sarah Johal, National Adoption Strategic Lead for Adoption England and Hollie Mortimer, who adopted her daughter two years ago. There are a record-breaking number of women on the shortlist of nominees for the Mercury Prize 2024. Eight out of the 12 nominations are women or female-fronted bands. To talk about the impact of this, Anita is joined by nominees Corinne Bailey Rae and Nia Archives, alongside music journalist Mary Mandefield.So much is known about the causes of disease and death in women all over the world – so why are so many women still dying? Sophie Harman, Professor of International Politics at Queen Mary University of London, has written a new book: Sick Of It, that examines this question. She joins Anita to talk about how she thinks women’s health gets caught in the crossfire of global politics, and what the solutions could be.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Lottie Garton

Kamala Harris has spoken about making childcare and eldercare more affordable, securing universal paid maternity leave and signing into law a bill that would restore and protect the right to abortion. So could these policies win her female votes, and how does this fit in with her strategy to try and beat Trump in the US presidential election? Anita Rani speaks to Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, director of Chatham House's US and Americas programme.Zara Sehar recently won the audience vote at the Roundhouse Poetry Slam competition, and joins Anita to talk about her work and perform from one of her poems, (Hon)our Killings. In it she mentions spoons in knickers, a tactic suggested to young girls being taken out of the country who are at airports and at risk of forced marriage. Natasha Rattu, Executive Director at Karma Nirvana explains why they give this advice to British-Asian girls.Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell was the first black woman to swim for Great Britain. Born in the UK, her family moved to Kenya when she was four. She started swimming competitively from the age of six and was world number one in the 50 metres breaststroke, aged 15. But Rebecca walked away from the sport ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. She has written a memoir, These Heavy Black Bones, in which she delves into how she achieved success but also what it cost her, physically and mentally, and why she gave it all up.It's 50 years since the death of the American singer Cass Elliot. She died at just 32, and her musical legacy includes some of the best-known songs of the 60s and 70s, from both her time in The Mamas & the Papas and her solo career. Eddi Fiegel, author of Dream a Little Dream of Me: The Life of 'Mama' Cass Elliot, tells Anita who she was.

Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has been inspired by Charli XCX and her recent album release, brat. The link between the two is all over social media – but what does it all mean? Nuala McGovern is joined by former Editor-in-Chief of Vice and co-host of the Good Bad Billionaire podcast on BBC World Service to explain the trend, and columnist for The Times, Alice Thomson on Kamala Harris’ appeal to women.A new film, The Commandant’s Shadow, follows Hans Jürgen Höss, the 87-year-old son of Rudolf Höss, the camp commandant of Auschwitz who masterminded the murder of more than a million Jews. While Hans enjoyed a happy childhood playing with many toys in the family villa, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch played cello in the orchestra to survive the notorious concentration camp. Eight decades later, the two come face-to-face, together with their children, Kai Höss and Maya Lasker-Wallfisch. Anita and Maya join Nuala to tell their story.A new study has found that women in Scotland have reached a landmark moment in business - with the number of female entrepreneurs matching the number of men for the first time. Nuala is joined by primary school teacher turned tech entrepreneur Genna Masterton who runs a business in Glasgow.Former refugee lawyer turned comedian Sashi Perera joins Nuala to discuss who we choose as our emergency contacts and her new stand-up show, Boundaries. A new malaria vaccine, licenced for children five months and older, began its roll out in the Ivory Coast last week. Nuala is joined by Dr Mehreen Datoo, who played a pivotal role in the vaccine’s development, after her own experience of malaria almost took her life. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Emma Pearce

Guests Megan Davis and Kate Lister talk about whistleblowing on financial crime and banning partners from social events. Prof Deborah Prentice reflects on her time as Cambridge Vice-Chancellor. Topics include friendship dynamics, bringing partners to social gatherings, the novel 'Bay of Thieves,' and the challenges of whistleblowing in financial firms.