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Latest Episodes:

Lady Lavinia Nourse; Caitlin Moran; Female truckers; Comedian Gina Yashere; Football and Atomic Kitten Jul 10, 2021

Show notes

Lady Lavinia Nourse, the 77-year-old widow of the High Court judge Sir Martin Nourse was cleared of all 17 counts of historical child sex abuse involving a boy under the age of 12. In her first broadcast interview, she tells Emma about the case and why she's calling for those accused of child abuse to be granted anonymity until charged.

There is a huge shortage of road hauliers in the UK. But of the half a million licensed lorry drivers, only 5% are women. Why is this? And what would encourage more women to get behind the wheel? Driver Suzy Mackenzie and Kate Lester, the Chief Executive of Diamond Logistics discuss.

The Prime Minister has confirmed the end of Britain's mission in Afghanistan. It follows the decision by US President Joe Biden to withdraw US troops by September 11th. But what lies ahead for women? And what's changed for them since foreign troops entered the country in late 2001? Krupa speaks to Mahjooba Nowrouzi from the BBC Afghan Service and Dr Weeda Mehran, a lecturer in Terrorism and Conflict at the University of Exeter.

Caitlin Moran is a journalist and columnist at The Times. Her first book ‘How to Be a Woman” was hugely successful. She discusses the sequel ‘More than a Woman’, giving her take on middle age, parenting, and why everyone needs a 'Janet' in their life.

British comic Gina Yashere has made it big on both sides of the Atlantic. A veteran of the UK comedy scene, she's also had huge success in the US. Now she's just released, a memoir called 'Cack-Handed' in which she writes about growing up as a child of Nigerian immigrants in London.

And footie with Emma Hayes, Chelsea Women Manager, who was part of the TV commentary team at the England v Denmark semi final. And Natasha Hamilton and Liz McClarnon, two members of Atomic Kitten sing us some of their song, Whole Again, reversioned for the England team.

Presenter: Krupa Padhy Producer: Dianne McGregor

Gina Yashere; Afghanistan; WAGs; Helen Epega Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

British comic Gina Yashere has made it big on both sides of the Atlantic. A veteran of the UK comedy scene, she's also had huge success in the US. Now she's just released her first book, a memoir called 'Cack-Handed' in which she writes about growing up as a child of Nigerian immigrants in working-class London, and how this unique background helped her to make it in Hollywood.

The Prime Minister confirmed yesterday the end of Britain's mission in Afghanistan. It follows the decision by US President Joe Biden to withdraw US troops by September 11th. But what lies ahead for women? And what's changed for them since foreign troops entered the country in late 2001? Krupa speaks to Mahjooba Nowrouzi from the BBC Afghan Service and Dr Weeda Mehran, a lecturer in Terrorism and Conflict at the University of Exeter.

As England reach the finals of Euro 2020, we look at the story behind the term 'WAGs', or Wives and Girlfriends. There are some easily recognisable names on that list from Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole and Coleen Rooney. But how did it all start, and should the term be seen as insulting or out of date? Sam Kimberley is the author of The Wag Wars: The Glamorous Story of Footballers Wives', and Lizzie Cundy is a former "WAG", and now a radio and TV presenter.

Helen Epega is the multi-talented Nigerian-British rapper turned performance artist. She is the founder and lead singer of The Venus Bushfires, behind the world's first opera written in Pidgin English – Song Queen, and she has written music for Christian Dior, PlayStation and Disney. She joins Krupa to discuss her latest work, ‘Sounds of Us: A Sound Art Snapshot - Life, Love, Fear, Hope & Protest In The Time Of Pandemic Lockdown’.

Presented by Krupa Padhy Produce by Frankie Tobi

The Euros, Money, Atomic Kitten Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

The Footie! England's through to the final of the Euros after a nail biting match against Denmark last night. We speak to Emma Hayes, Chelsea Women Manager who was on the TV commentary team last night; to Jacqui Oatley who's commentated for World Cups and European Championships for both the BBC and ITV, and to Jane Merrick, Policy Editor at the i newspaper who tweeted last night about loving the celebration. We also hear from 2 members of Atomic Kitten, who sing us some of their song, Whole Again, specially reversioned for the England team.

We talk about money with Otegha Uwagba. She's got a new book called We Need To Talk About Money.

At the end of last month Bill Cosby was freed from prison after serving less than three years of a potential ten year sentence. Accused by more than 60 women of rape or sexual assault he's always maintained his innocence. Victoria Valentino was one of those women who made allegations but didn’t speak up for 45 years. She tells Emma her story.

And contraception and environmentalism. If your pill, coil or condoms came with a message about how having fewer children is better for the environment, how would you feel about it? The idea of limiting or controlling the number of people on the planet is highly controversial but there are academics and specialists in women's reproductive rights who think now is the time to restart the conversation about having smaller families. Emma speaks to journalist and commentator, Ella Whelan, and to Professor of Policy, Systems and Reproductive Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Susannah Mayhew.

Lady Lavinia Nourse; Early labour; Chile’s constitution Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

Lady Lavinia Nourse is calling for those accused of child abuse to be granted anonymity until charged. Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Hour just over a month after she was cleared of child sex abuse, the 77-year-old widow of the High Court judge Sir Martin Nourse was cleared of all 17 counts of historical child sex abuse involving a boy under the age of 12. In her first broadcast interview, she tells Emma Barnett what she wants to achieve by speaking out, and the trauma of the ordeal. Emma is also joined by Lady Nourse’s legal representative Sandra Paul from Kingsley Napley.

A new study on a risk model that may improve the prediction of preterm birth has just been published. Researchers say predicting the signs and symptoms of preterm labour make it challenging to diagnose - and often times this leads to unnecessary treatment such as extra tests, bed rest or even hospitalisation which can be both common and costly. Lead author, Dr Sarah Stock from the University of Edinburgh hopes it's going to improve decision making for women and clinicians around what to do if someone has some signs and symptoms of preterm labour.

This week in an historic first, 58-year-old Elisa Loncon from Chile’s indigenous Mapuche people was chosen to lead the drafting of the country’s new constitution . The new constitution will replace the one inherited from Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship, blamed for the high levels of inequality, social injustice, and high cost of living that sparked deadly protests across the country in 2019 and beyond. Constanza Hola, a Chilean journalist working for the BBC World Service, joins Emma to discuss.

Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Frankie Tobi

Female truckers; Dealing with disappointment; Caitlin Moran; Maternity failings Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

There is currently a huge shortage of road hauliers in the UK. According to the Road Haulage Association, up to 100,000 more lorry drivers are needed to transport the food, medicines and equipment vital to the UK economy. It’s estimated that 95% of all the products we consume are at some point moved around by road freight. And with Brexit, the Suez Canal blockage, and coronavirus restrictions causing big logistical issues, more people are urgently needed…. But of the half a million licensed lorry drivers, only 5% are women. Why is this? And what would encourage more women to get behind the wheel? Emma speaks to driver Suzy Mackenzie and Kate Lester, the Chief Executive of Diamond Logistics.

Disappointment is a fact of life, but that doesn't make it any easier when it comes. At last night's Wimbledon, 18 year old British wildcard Emma Raducanu had to retire from her last-16 match after suffering apparent breathing difficulties. Although we're still not sure exactly what happened, it's not a huge leap of imagination to say that she'll be disappointed to see the end of her dream debut. But what can us mere mortals take from it? Annabel Croft, BBC tennis commentator and former British number one, and Julia Samuels, psychotherapist and author of 'This Too Will Pass: Stories of Crisis, Change and Hopeful Beginnings', talk about the nature of disappointment and the strategies we can use to pick ourselves up again.

Caitlin Moran is a journalist and columnist at The Times. Her first book ‘How to Be a Woman” came out in 2011 and has sold more than a million copies in 28 countries. The sequel ‘More than a Woman’ came out last year and is out in paperback today. She is currently on a live UK tour and joins Emma to talk about motherhood, daughters, female friendship and coming to terms with getting older.

Maternity services in England are failing mothers and babies leading to hundreds of avoidable deaths each year, according to a damning report by the Health and Social Care committee on maternity safety in England. It also describes a "debilitating culture of blame" preventing lessons being learned from previous tragedies. Jeremy Hunt, the former health secretary and chair of the committee pointed out that 1,000 more babies a year would survive if England's maternity services were as safe as Sweden's. The committee's report found although maternity safety had improved, the deaths of a number of newborn babies at several hospitals in recent years were a reminder that much more needs to be done. Emma is joined by Dame Professor Lesley Regan, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St Mary’s, Imperial College and past President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Claudia Winkleman, Yvette Cooper, Heidi Carter, Lillie Harris Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

Studies have found that men are more reluctant than women to wear face covers. So, in a couple of weeks when restrictions are likely to be lifted, making it a personal choice, what are we likely to see happen. Emma talks to Christina Gravert, behavioural economist from the University of Copenhagen.

Labour’s Yvette Cooper tells Emma about an amendment she's tabling today to the Police Courts Crime and Sentencing Bill to try to change the law on common assault. Critics of the law are concerned that cases need to be filed within six months otherwise they’re “timed out” meaning vulnerable women can fail to get justice.

Strictly Come Dancing co-host and BBC presenter Claudia Winkleman has released her first book, Quite. She joins Emma to talk about Strictly, parenthood and how being perfect is boring.

A woman who has Down's Syndrome is taking the government to Court this week. Heidi Carter is fighting for a change in the law around termination and Down's Syndrome. Currently, the time limit to terminate a pregnancy is 24 weeks. But if the foetus has Down Syndrome, then that shifts right up to birth. Heidi wants the time limit to be set at 24 weeks for all pregnancies. She's supported by Maire Lea Wilson whose son, Aidan, has Down's Syndrome.

Lillie Harris is a successful young composer who graduated with a First Class degree from the Royal College of Music in 2016, after winning the Elgar Memorial Prize for her final portfolio. Tonight two of her works will be premiered at this year’s Cheltenham Music Festival. She joins Emma to explain the inspirations behind her choral piece and her trumpet fanfare.

Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Weekend Woman's Hour - Libby Scott and mum Kym on Autism, the future of the High Street & Anne Robinson Jul 03, 2021

Show notes

The novelist Libby Scott has just released her third novel ‘Ways to Be Me’ in collaboration with the author Rebecca Westcott. Along with her mum she tells us about her new book and it’s realistic portrayal of autism, and her own diagnosis at the age of 10.

The presenter, journalist and “Queen of Mean”, Anne Robinson, tells us about becoming the first female host of Channel 4’s longest running series Countdown

We discuss why the future of the high street needs to put women at the centre of its design and overall regeneration. Mary Portas has done a TED talk and podcast arguing for a new approach by business and customers and has now written a book about it all called “Rebuild”. Suzannah Clarke has published new research saying women are responsible for 85% of spending on the High Street and they need to be taken into account in future planning if the downward trends are to be reversed.

Eilidh Doyle is Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete of all time. The Olympic, World and European medal holder had hoped to compete in the Olympics in Tokyo this month but instead announced her retirement from competitive athletics. She tells us about coming to that decision about retirement and why she is involved in a project with Abertay University, where elite athletes and sporting figures share their experiences of unexpected setbacks and coping strategies with people who have been negatively impacted by Covid.

And the writer Emily Rapp Black, whose left leg was amputated at the age of four due to a congenital defect, tells us about the instant connection she felt with the artist Frida Kahlo. Her new book ‘Frida Kahlo and My Left Leg’ describes how Emily has made sense of her own life and body.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed Editor: Louise Corley

Rachel Weisz; Euro 2020; Kanya d’Almeida; Abortion in Northern Ireland; Emily Rapp Black Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

Rachel Weisz seems to have had constant work in the film industry since the early nineties. She's been in all kind of films: historical, action, science fiction, serious, art-house. Now she's diving into the world of superheroes with the new Marvel film, 'Black Widow'. Anita speaks to her about her latest role.

The nation is transfixed - after many years of hurt could England be on the road to winning a major trophy? Football journalist Flo Lloyd-Hughes joins Anita.

Sri Lankan author Kanya d'Almeida has been named the Commonwealth Short Story Prize Winner of 2021. Her winning piece, "I Cleaned The-" features two women who share a room in a refuge run by nuns, for people who have nowhere else to go. Kanya talks to Anita about her winning story, motherhood, mental health and paying for childcare in Sri Lanka.

Northern Ireland politics is stuck. Continued disagreements between the power-sharing parties have led to stagnation in the Northern Irish Assembly, leaving lots of services in the lurch, including access to abortion for Northern Irish women. Now a charity, which is the first port of call for those who want an early medical abortion, says if they don't get funding they'll have to stop.

Emily Rapp Black felt an instant connection with the artist Frida Kahlo after seeing her famous painting 'The Two Fridas'. At the age of four, Emily’s left leg was amputated due to a congenital birth defect. In her new book ‘Frida Kahlo And My Left Leg’, she explores the legacy, life and art of Frida Kahlo which helped her to make sense of her own life and body. Emily writes about the trauma of her son’s death and the current discourse and attitudes around disability.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Frankie Tobi

Mary Portas & Suzannah Clarke; Summer childcare; Eilidh Doyle; Mackenzy Beard; Prof Dame Caroline Dean Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

The future of the High Street looked challenging before the pandemic but as shops have reopened it’s become evident how urgent the situation now is. Many brands or their outlets have gone bankrupt or moved online. More than a decade ago Mary Portas outlined this trend with a government review into the problem, but she is now urging people to rethink their whole relationship with shopping and consumerism and move towards a 'kindness economy' as we come out of the lockdown. She has now written a book about this called Rebuild. She joins Krupa Padhy to discuss, alongside Suzannah Clarke who has published research saying women are the key to the regeneration of the High Street economy. Women are responsible for 85% of spending there and she says they need to be taken into account in future planning if the downward trends are to be reversed.

Eilidh Doyle is Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete of all time. The Olympic, World and European medal holder had hoped to compete in the Olympics in Tokyo this month but instead announced – at the age of 34 - her retirement from competitive athletics. She talks to Krupa about knowing when to stop, and becoming involved in a new project with Abertay University, where elite athletes and sporting figures such as Judy Murray and Tanni-Grey Thompson share their experiences of unexpected setbacks and coping strategies with people who have been negatively impacted by Covid-19.

School summer holidays are looming in England and Wales and in Scotland and Northern Ireland they have already begun. But what provision is there for the children of working parents who need local, affordable and well-run holiday childcare? There are rumours of patchy availability, often with a high cost. So what impact is this having on parents? Ahead of the results of their annual survey on this – Megan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare joins Krupa along with Rebekah Jackson, Director of the Out of School Alliance.

14 year old Mackenzy Beard from Swansea has had a painting selected for exhibition at the Royal Academy, as part of their Young Artists' Summer Show. The work will be on display online and in London from 13th July. Mackenzy joins Krupa to talk about her inspiration for the piece.

Do plants have a memory? Yes, according to the pioneering research of Professor Dame Caroline Dean, a plant biologist who has spent more than thirty years looking into how plants remember seasons, and what this can tell us. She’s just been awarded the prestigious Wolf Prize in Agriculture, which is considered by some to be the equivalent of a Nobel Prize in agriculture. Caroline joins Krupa to talk through her extraordinary work and career.

Image: Mary Portas Credit: Josh Shinner

Female wildlife rangers; Chief Inspector of Ofsted; Lady Boss: Jackie Collins story; Transgender athletes Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

The work of female rangers protecting wildlife from poachers. Collet Ngobeni of The Black Mambas and Holly Budge of How Many Elephants discuss.

The Chief Inspector of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman on the problem of sexual harassment and abuse in schools, and what needs to be done to bring about change.

Jackie Collins was one of the most successful female authors of all time but often just dismissed as the Queen of Sleaze. We hear from Jackie's eldest daughter, Tracy Lerman and from Laura Fairrie, director of the new film Lady Boss: The Jackie Collins story.

Laurel Hubbard will be the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics. She's part of the New Zealand women's weightlifting team. She qualifies on the basis that her testosterone levels have been kept below a certain level for at least a year. But how does a reduction in testosterone affect other aspects of the body - such as muscle mass and strength? We hear from Joanna Harper, a PhD researcher at Loughborough University.

A new £50 note featuring the Bletchley Park codebreaker Alan Turing has just been launched. Debbie Marriott is the first ever female banknote designer at the Bank of England, and explains the work that goes into making the notes.

Elizabeth Packard was an ordinary 19th century American housewife and mother of six, whose husband had her declared 'slightly insane' and put in an asylum after daring to voice her opinions. Elizabeth embarked on a ceaseless quest for justice, both inside and outside the asylum. Kate Moore has written 'The Woman They Could Not Silence' about this fascinating but little known woman.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Dianne McGregor

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