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The Queen's funeral, Male friendships, PM Liz Truss as diplomat, Death of Mahsa Amini in Iran Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

183 key workers and community volunteers were amongst royals, politicians and world leaders in Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s state funeral on Monday. One woman who was asked to be an eyewitness to this historic day was Lynn McManus, from North Shields, in Tyne and Wear. She's the founder of The Tim Lamb's Children's Centre and Pathways4All, a parent-led charity providing play and leisure for disabled children. She was recognised in the Queen's last Birthday Honours List in June 2022 with an MBE for her services to children with disabilities.

A 2019 YouGov survey found that one in five men have no close friends — twice the proportion for women. What pressure might this be putting on their female partners, to fulfil the role of best friend and hold the social calendar? And what tools can men learn to help maintain friendships? Max Dickins is an author, playwright and comedian, and has written Billy No-Mates: How I Realised Men Have a Friendship Problem. He joins Emma to discuss.

Liz Truss is heading to New York today, making her first foreign trip as Prime Minister as she attends the annual United Nations General Assembly. During her two-day trip she is due to have meetings with US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. This will be her first test in building international relationships and trust in the UK. So does the former foreign secretary have the interpersonal skills to build strong relationships? Joining Emma to discuss are deputy political editor for the Spectator Katy Balls and Bronwen Maddox the new director and CEO of Chatham House.

A 22-year-old Iranian woman has died days after being arrested by morality police for allegedly not complying with strict rules on head coverings. Eyewitnesses said Mahsa Amini was beaten while inside a police van after being picked up in Tehran last Tuesday, and died on Friday after spending three days in a coma. It is the latest in a series of reports of brutality against women by authorities in Iran in recent weeks. Tehran's police chief says the death of a woman in custody was an "unfortunate" incident he does not want repeated. BBC Woman Affairs correspondent for the Near East, Faranak Amidi joins Emma with the latest.

The Married Women’s Association was formed in 1938 by a former suffragette and its main aim was to ensure that men and women would be treated as equals in the union of marriage - both legally and financially. Their members included the first female barrister and the first female BBC executive, as well as the writer Vera Britain, so why are they not well known, and how influential were they? Dr Sharon Thompson, presenter of the Quiet Revolutionaries podcast, who has also written a book of the same name, joins Emma.

Weekend Woman’s Hour: Julia Gillard, Ophelia Lovibond, Medusa Sep 17, 2022

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Julia Gillard, former Australian Prime Minister – and the only woman to have held that role – reflects on the death of Queen Elizabeth II and her status as a global female leader. What will it mean for Australia where King Charles automatically became Head of State last week?

Ophelia Lovibond, best known for playing Izzy Gould in the BBC mockumentary series W1A, discusses her new TV series Minx and playing Carrie Johnson.

In a bid to close stubborn gender pay gaps, several states in the USA have passed laws requiring salary ranges to be clearly stated on all job ads. To discuss the growing trend and whether it is workable in the UK, we hear from money blogger Iona Bain and Radha Vyas, co-founder of the group travel company Flash Pack.

The Hungarian government has tightened abortion laws in the country, meaning women who want to get an abortion will have to listen to vital signs - such as the foetal heartbeat - before being allowed to proceed. Nick Thorpe, the BBC's East and Central Europe Correspondent explains.

'Beehives, Bobs & Blowdries' is an exhibition celebrating the art and skills of hairdressing along with some of the most iconic looks of the past 70 years. Our reporter Tamsin Smith speaks to some of the women perusing the exhibits about some of the looks they've tried over the years.

Since she was a girl the writer and broadcaster Natalie Haynes has been fascinated by Greek Myths. Her fourth novel ‘Stone Blind’ tells the story of Medusa and gets us way beyond snake hair and a deadly gaze to understand why she's become the monster in re-tellings of her story over the centuries.

Pregnant women in Pakistan, Salary transparency, Writer Lottie Mills, Clothes and grief Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

More than 33 million people have been affected by the flooding in Pakistan. How has the flooding impacted the thousannds of pregnant women. who require maternal health services to ensure a safe pregnancy and childbirth? We hear from midwife Neha Mankani and founder of the Mama Baby Fund.

In a bid to close stubborn gender pay gaps, several states in the USA have passed laws requiring salary ranges to be clearly stated on all job ads. To discuss the growing trend and whether it is workable in the Uk, Anita hears from money blogger Iona Bain and Radha Vyas, co-founder of the group travel company Flash Pack.

For our Girl’s World series, reporter Ena Miller went to talk to 13 year old Alice and India about the drama of their lives, boys and girls and how things have, or have not, changed since Ena was their age. Two years on from winning,The BBC’s Young Writer Award with Cambridge University, Lottie Mills has a book deal. She discusses her writing, and how disabilty is depicted in fiction.

How can clothes help us grieve? 'Wearapy' is a term coined by the fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell who believes that what we wear can help us through times of emotional upheaval. In her new book Big Dress Energy, she describes how wearing her late sister's clothes has helped her confront her grief. She’s joined by Dr Matilda Aspinall, lecturer at UAL London College of Fashion, who has paid tribute to her late grandmother through the act of refashioning her dress.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Dianne McGregor

Julia Gillard, Dame Sheila Hancock, Tree Climbing Champion and Abortion in Hungary Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

Dame Sheila Hancock tells us about her memories of the Queen. Just short of 90, she has lived her life in parallel. Earlier this year she said: "throughout my life, I have been grateful for the Queen's reassuring presence."

Julia Gillard, former Australian Prime Minister – and the only woman to have held that role – speaks to Emma about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and her status as a global female leader. What will it mean for Australia, where King Charles automatically became Head of State last week? The current Labor government there led by Anthony Albanese has previously indicated it wants to hold a referendum on whether to become a republic, though Prime Minister Albanese said on Sunday that “now is not a time to talk about our system of government”.

Josephine Hedger has just become the female World Champion Tree Climber – for the fifth time. She joins Emma to chat why she loves braving immense heights at speed – and how it feeds into what she does for a living.

Today marks a significant day for women in Hungary. The government has tightened abortion laws in the country, meaning women who want to get an abortion will have to listen to vital signs - such as the foetal heartbeat - before being allowed to proceed. The Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long sought to boost Hungary's flagging birth rate and his right-wing government prides itself in standing for traditional family values. Nick Thorpe, the BBC's East and Central Europe Correspondent explains how the law has changed.

The role of Princess Anne, Fracking, Medusa Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

A heartfelt statement was released from from the Princess Royal, who accompanied her mother’s coffin on its long journey from Balmoral to Buckingham Palace. The Royal Editor of the Times Newspaper Roya Nikkhah joined Krupa to discuss the role Princess Anne has played in the Queen's life.

Queen Elizabeth II was the head of state in 15 of the 56 Commonwealth countries. Professor Chandrika Kaul joins Krupa Padhy to discuss the way the Queen led the Commonwealth countries and the challenges King Charles III may face as a monarch, and as a man, as some countries express an interest in becoming a republic.

Liz Truss has announced the ban on fracking will be lifted to help boost the UK's domestic gas supplies. Fracking, which is a controversial method of extracting shale gas, was banned by the Conservatives in 2019 following fears over the risk of earthquakes. Tina Rothery, of the campaign group UK Nanas, joins Krupa.

'Beehives, Bobs & Blowdries' is an exhibition celebrating the art and skills of hairdressing along with some of the most iconic looks of the past 70 years, it opens in The Piece Hall in Halifax on the 17th September. Our reporter Tamsin Smith saw the exhibition when it was in Barnsley and she spoke to some of the women perusing the exhibits about some of the looks they've tried over the years and about where they got their style inspiration from.

Presenter: Krupa Padhy Producer: Emma Pearce

The role of Queen Consort; Samantha Cameron, Ophelia Lovibond, Women's Institute Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

King Charles the Third is our new monarch. At his accession to the throne, his wife Camilla became Queen Consort, and his daughter-in-law Kate is now the Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall. Royal Editor at the Daily Mail Rebecca English and historian and author Dr Estelle Paranque join Emma Barnett to talk about what this means for the female royals. Emma also speaks to Diana Parkes about her experience of working with the former Duchess of Cornwall on domestic abuse issues - a cause she has expressed a hope of being able to continue supporting as Queen Consort.

Samantha Cameron, the chief executive of the clothing company Cefinn, and the wife of the former Prime Minister David Cameron, will be attending Her Majesty's funeral on Monday. She speaks to Emma about her memories of The Queen, including being given a medal by her for running around Balmoral. She also offers an insight into what it will be like for the former Duchess of Cornwall to be the partner of a man who is taking on a huge new role.

Ophelia Lovibond is perhaps best known for playing Izzy Gould in the BBC TV mockumentary series W1A. Later this month, you can see her take on the role of Carrie Symonds alongside Kenneth Branagh as Prime Minister Boris Johnson in This England, set during the Covid crisis. But from Wednesday this week you can catch her in the leading role in new series Minx on Paramount Plus. Set in 1970s Los Angeles, Minx centres around Joyce, an earnest young feminist who dreams of producing a magazine by, for and about women but ends up joining forces with a low rent publisher to create the first erotic magazine for women. Olivia joins Emma.

The Women's Institute was formed in 1915, designed to bring together women in rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War. It has evolved over the years and is now the largest voluntary organisation in the UK with more than 212,000 members in over 6,600 groups. The Queen was its longest serving member of 79 years, joining as a young Princess. She was also president of her local WI group at Sandringham in Norfolk - a position she honoured every year. Ann Jones, National Chair of the WI joins Emma.

Woman's Hour special following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Sep 09, 2022

Show notes

Woman's Hour special following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

We'll be talking to Historians Tracy Borman and Kate Williams. Editor of Hello Magazine Rosie Nixon. Helen Lewis from the Atlantic. And artist Tracey Emin.

Why has the post of women's minister been scrapped? Car park composer, Brown Gal Can't Swim Sep 08, 2022

Show notes

It's understood that there will not be a specific women's minister in Prime Minister Liz Truss' government. Amber Rudd, former women's minister who held the post whilst Home Secretary - tells Emma why she believes the move is 'regressive' and 'baffling'.

Liz Truss's first day as PM, breaking away from Judaism, Mursal Hedayat Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

We discuss the latest on Liz Truss’ first full day as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Emma Barnett is joined by Baroness Gabby Bertin who worked with David Cameron for a decade while he was leader and Camilla Tominey, Associate Editor at the Daily Telegraph.

What is it like to break away from a strict religious community? Emily grew up in the Hasidic Jewish community, known for its religious conservatism and social seclusion, but left with her children following a difficult divorce. She tells her story to Emma.

For any woman over fifty who has ever asked ‘What now?’ ‘Who do I want to be?’ comes a book by Sharon Blackie, a psychologist and writer, best known for her ecofeminist book, If Women Rose Rooted. She joins Emma to talk about her new book, Hagitude.

We speak to Mursal Hedayat, a businesswoman who came to the UK as a refugee at the age of 4 and is now being recognised for her entrepreneurial success with her social enterprise that helps people become language coaches.

Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Emma Pearce

Strictly's Motsi Mabuse, New PM priorities, Author Holly Bourne on female friendship, Women and cost of living crisis Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse on her autobiography, Finding my Own Rhythm - from a young dancer in apartheid era South Africa to renowned Latin dance champion and TV star.

Liz Truss is the UK's new prime minister. What will be her priorities? Which women will she promote in her first reshuffle? What will her leadership style be? We hear from Katy Balls; the deputy editor of The Spectator, and Hannah Al Othma from The Sunday Times.

Pregnant women are advised not to drink alcohol, but what about eating fish? The guidance on this can be confusing - with many women avoiding fish altogether when pregnant. But a new study shows that avoiding fish could be the wrong thing to do. We hear from co-author professor Jean Golding who specialises in Paediatric and Peri-natal Epi-deemiology at the University of Bristol.

With inflation running at over ten per cent, it’s understood that Liz Truss – who becomes prime minister later today – is considering a freeze on energy bills as one of her first acts in office. The Women’s Budget Group argue that women are less prepared to face cost of living rises, due to lower wages and savings, and in particular they are concerned about job losses for women working in small businesses which could result from increasing fuel costs. Women make up the bulk of those working in the hospitality, retail and care sectors. Sara Reis is the deputy director at the Women’s Budget Group and joins Jess to discuss their latest report.

Holly Bourne writes fiction for teenagers and adults, and female friendship is central to her books. In her new adult novel Girl Friends, Jess and Fern are millennials whose passionate closeness as teens is central to both of their lives until things fall apart. When they meet more than ten years later they are forced to reassess their friendship and how it was shaped by the sexual politics of the time they grew up in.

Presenter: Jessica Creighton Producer: Dianne McGregor

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