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Marian Keyes, Juliet open letter, Swiss climate victory Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

Irish author Marian Keyes writes funny, clever novels about life including: Rachel’s Holiday, Anybody out There, Grown Ups, Angels. She covers issues such as addiction, break-ups, baby loss, anxiety, depression and love, with women at the heart. We all make mistakes, but when do we stop making the same one over and over again? This is the question at the heart of Marian’s latest novel: My Favourite Mistake. She joins Anita Rani to discuss that, mistakes, perimenopause and ‘feathery strokers’.

In a landmark case, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland was violating the human rights of its citizens by inadequate action on climate change. A group of more than 2,000 older Swiss women launched the case nine years ago, calling for better protection of women's health from the effects of climate change. The Court's ruling is binding and can trickle down to influence the law in 46 countries in Europe. Anita talks to one of the senior women who brought the case, Elisabeth Stern, and the group's lawyer, Jessica Simor.

Almost 30 years ago, Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman were stabbed to death in Los Angeles. The prime suspect was OJ Simpson, Nicole’s ex-husband and a well-known NFL player turned actor. What followed remains one of the most famous murder trials in history, televised and watched by millions. He was acquitted of the murders of Nicole and Ron. He did plead no contest to charges of ‘spousal battery’ – what we now call domestic violence. And he was later found liable for the deaths in a separate civil case. OJ Simpson died on Wednesday at the age of 76. To talk about the impact his trial had on the perception of violence against women in the US is Sarah Baxter, Director of the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting and former Deputy Editor of The Sunday Times.

This week, it was announced that 883 actors, writers, comedians and creatives had signed an open letter in support of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, the star in a new production of Romeo & Juliet, due to run in London's West End next month. The open letter came after a statement was published by the Jamie Lloyd Company, "Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company..." It was co-authored by actors Susan Wokoma and writer Somalia Nonyé Seaton and Susan joins Anita to talk about the issues.

On 6 April 1999, Mamma Mia! opened in the West End. As the show celebrates its 25th anniversary, Woman's Hour celebrates the music of one of the most popular and successful musicals of all time.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rebecca Myatt Studio manager: Duncan Hannant

Gloria Steinem at 90, Rebecca Ferguson, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

The pioneering feminist, journalist and activist Gloria Steinem made a name for herself in the 1960s and 70s through her journalism, which included going undercover at the New York Playboy Club to expose exploitative working conditions. She co-founded the Women's Action Alliance and in 1972 she co-founded Ms Magazine, putting conversations about gender equality, reproductive rights and social justice in the spotlight, and bringing the issues of the women's rights movement into the mainstream. Gloria has just celebrated her 90th birthday and joins Emma Barnett to talk about the current state of reproductive rights in the US, the importance of community and hosting her own women's talking circle.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe spent six years being held by the Iranian regime after visiting her family there in 2016. When she was finally released, she chose to speak first to Woman's Hour, in May 2022. Nazanin shared then what life was like in Iran's most notorious prison, how she survived being away from her daughter and her view on - as she put it - being used a political pawn between Iran and Britain. She returns to Woman's Hour for Emma's last programme, to talk about what she's been doing since she came home.

From the X Factor to Lady Sings the Blues, Rebecca Ferguson has become one of the UK’s most successful soul vocalists, renowned for her unique, crisp, husky vocals. Her hit albums include Heaven, Freedom and Superwoman. She has duetted with Lionel Ritchie, Andrea Bocelli and Christina Aguilera, and collaborated with John Legend and Nile Rodgers. Rebecca has also become a notable campaigner for change. Last year she was one of the main contributors to the government's Misogyny in Music report and played an integral part in the introduction of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority to protect women. She performs live in the studio, and talks to Emma about her work.

The Cass Review, Back to Black, Female Psychopath Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

The long awaited Cass Review, published on Wednesday by paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, calls for gender services for young people to match the standards of other NHS care. Emma Barnett is joined by the former BBC journalist Hannah Barnes, now Associate Editor at The New Statesman and author of Time To Think - the inside story of the collapse of the Tavistock's gender service in children.

Alison Owen is the powerhouse British film producer behind the new biopic of Amy Winehouse, Back to Black, released this Friday. In it, the actor Marisa Abela recreates many of Amy’s iconic performances, recordings and her most famous paparazzi moments. Alison joins Emma to discuss why she wanted to make the film, which comes out almost 13 years after Amy’s death.

Childlessness not out of choice is a difficult subject to discuss. Those who have experienced it are usually left to grieve and heal alone. Those who have friends and family members wrestling with infertility don’t even know how to talk about it. A new book with 22 personal stories about involuntary childlessness hopes to offer a support group for almost-parents. Emma Barnett talks to the author of ‘No One Talks About This Stuff’ Kat Brown and one of the contributors Rageshri Dhairyawan about their experiences.

Do you remember our segment on female psychopaths? We’ll hear from one woman who has been officially diagnosed with the condition. M.E Thomas speaks to Emma about living with psychopathy.

Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Emma Pearce

Vogue's Chioma Nnadi, Life in a women’s refuge, Parents jailed after son’s mass shooting Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

Emma Barnett talks to the new head of British Vogue Chioma Nnadi, a London born, fashion journalist, podcaster and the first black woman to lead the title. Forensic psychologist Jillian Peterson and legal expert Tim Carey on the sentencing of Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents convicted of manslaughter after their 15-year-old son brought a gun to school in Michigan and killed four of his classmates. We hear the stories of women living in a women’s refuge in London. And the latest on the stabbing of a Bradford mum at the weekend.

Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Studio Manager: Phil Lander

Westminster honeytrap scam, What we can learn from toddlers, Saudi Arabia Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Dame Andrea Jenkyns MP has become the first woman to publicly speak about being a victim to the suspected Westminster honeytrap scam. What does the scam mean for politics? And what do we mean by honeytrap? Former deputy chief whip Anne Milton joins Emma Barnett to discuss, along with political correspondent at The Sun, Noa Hoffman.

During the late 90s and the early 2000s, belly button piercings were everywhere. They were made popular by celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Britney Spears and Beyoncé. The trend slowly faded away in the 2010s, but with 90s and Y2K fashion back in style - so is the belly button piercing. Fashion Director at The Sunday Times, Karen Dacre, got one the first time around, and Dr Helge Gillmeister, Reader of Psychology at the University of Essex, has studied the appeal of the belly button piercing. They join Emma to discuss naval piercings.

Could we be happier and more successful if we acted like toddlers? Dr Hasan Merali, Paediatric emergency medicine physician, Associate Professor at McMaster University and author of Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas, tells Emma what we can learn about self-improvement from toddlers.

The WTA Finals this year will be held in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. The decision has drawn criticism from female tennis legends such as Martina Navratilova, because of the state of women’s rights in the country, but others including Billie Jean King support the move. What is life like for women in Saudia Arabia today? And why has the WTA chosen them to host the finals? Emma speaks to sports journalist Molly McElwee and Professor at the LSE Middle East Centre, Madawi Al-Rasheed.

Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lottie Garton

Weekend Woman's Hour: Pregnancy discrimination, Girls State and Carly Pearce Apr 06, 2024

Show notes

An employment tribunal has ruled that describing an expectant mother as 'emotional' at work was discrimination. Described as a David and Goliath case, Nicola Hinds, who had been an account manager at Mitie, a FTSE 250 company, represented herself. The judge upheld her claims of pregnancy discrimination and constructive dismissal saying she was 'inexcusably' ignored by her boss and portrayed as 'hormonal'. She is now in line to receive compensation.

A new documentary film, Girls State, spotlights the girls hoping they will become the first female President of the United States. It follows a real-life mock government programme attended by teenage girls in Missouri. The American Legion, who run the programmes, hold separate programmes for boys and girls in all fifty states in the US. Emma is joined by the film-maker Amanda McBain and Emily Worthmore, one of the girls who stands for Governor, the highest position in the mock government.

It’s almost the end of Ramadan 2024 – the month of fasting observed by Muslims all over the world. But what’s it like to be a modern woman, potentially on your period, and still going through Ramadan? We hear from Mehreen Baig from the podcast Not Even Water and Hodo Ibrahim, co-host of The Oversharers podcast, on the challenges and advantages of being a Muslim woman in Ramadan.

A new play at the Hampstead Theatre – The Divine Mrs S - explores the life of Sarah Siddons, who was the first truly respected female actor in theatre, achieving a huge level of celebrity at the end of the 18th century. April De Angelis’ backstage comedy explores the origins of celebrity culture and portrays Siddons, played by Rachael Stirling, as a pioneer in command of her own image and craft. We hear from April and Rachael about what inspired them to bring Siddons back to life.

And we have music and chat with one of Country Music’s biggest female stars, Carly Pearce, who went from working at Dollywood aged 16 to becoming a Grammy and three-time Country Music Association winner.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed

Rwanda genocide, Bowie's hairdresser, womanhood during Ramadan Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide on Sunday, April 7th, BBC journalist Victoria Uwonkunda returns to the counry for the first time after fleeing the genocide as a child in 1994, to find out how the country, and its people, are healing.

Lots of our favourite pop - or rock - stars have had iconic looks to go along with their music. Suzi Ronson is the woman behind a hairstyle many of us will recognise - the red spiky hair of Ziggy Stardust, a character and onstage persona created by David Bowie. Her new memoir, Me and Mr Jones: My Life with David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars, talks about her time with the band during the 70s and meeting her late husband, guitarist Mick Ronson.

It’s almost the end of Ramadan 2024 – the month of fasting observed by Muslims all over the world. But what’s it like to be a modern woman, potentially on your period, and still going through Ramadan? Anita speaks with Mehreen Baig from the podcast Not Even Water and Hodo Ibrahim, co-host of The Oversharers podcast, on the challenges and advantages of being a Muslim woman in Ramadan.

You'll likely see the price of getting your nails done go up as of Monday, on what's being called the National Nail Tech Price Increase Day. While you might be paying around £40 to get your nails done, your nail technician would only take home around £7 an hour, once you take away the costs of things like tools and products. Amy Guy is the founder of Nail Tech Org and Rochelle Anthony owns her own salon, and they talk about what the price rise means to them.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Cecelia Armstrong

Pregnancy discrimination, Prue Leith, Femcels, Social workers on screen Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

82% of social workers are women, and they are fed up of seeing themselves portrayed as baddies on screen. Social Work England says they end up depicted in dramas as dragging children away from their families. Reporter Melanie Abbott talks to social worker in training Ceira Walsh about the impact on her. And Sarah Blackmore from Social Work England and screenwriter Emma Reeves, responsible for Elaine the Pain in the Tracy Beaker series, discuss with Emma Barnett what changes could be made.

Emma speaks to Dame Prue Leith, the chef, author and TV personality, who took part in her first ever catwalk this week at the age of 84. She wore clothes designed by the brand Vin and Omi, who've collaborated with the King to use plants grown in his garden to make their sustainable clothes.

What are femcels? The female version of incels, or involuntary celibates. are the subject of a new Channel 4 documentary, Emma speaks to Dr Jilly Kay from Loughborough University to hear more about research into this group and what their online activity looks like.

Girls State, Author Holly Gramazio, First female prime minister of the DRC Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

In the run-up to local elections in England and Wales, the Local Government Alliance have called for the law to change around publicising local councillors' home addresses. This is after some councillors are warning that a recent upsurge of abuse and threats is forcing large numbers of women to quit their roles in local government. Emma Barnett speaks to viral lockdown star Jackie Weaver about being a woman in local government.

Judith Suminwa Tuluka has been appointed the first ever female prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A former planning minister, she’s relatively unknown – so what does this mean for the DRC, and the women who live there? Emma finds out more about the new prime minister with BBC Monitoring’s Beverley Ochieng and the co-founder of a DRC NGO, Anny Modi.

How did 77 women from the same Cambridge college end up working at Bletchley Park during the war? Dr Sally Waugh, an alumna of women-only Newnham College, has uncovered a previously unknown contingent of female codebreakers and other staff who were recruited to conduct top secret work as undergraduates. Emma speaks to her to find out more.

Games writer and author Holly Gramazio’s debut novel explores a world where an endless supply of husbands emerges from the attic. But when you can change husbands as easily as a lightbulb, how do you know when to stick with the one you’ve got? Holly joins Emma, live in the Woman’s Hour studio.

Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lottie Garton

Scotland's hate crime law, Motherhood and art, Actor Rachael Stirling Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Scotland's new hate crime law came in to effect yesterday. The Act creates a crime of "stirring up hatred" relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex. To discuss the concerns some women have Emma Barnett is joined by Susan Smith, co-director of the group For Women Scotland, and The Times journalist John Boothman.

A new play at the Hampstead Theatre – The Divine Mrs S - explores the life of Sarah Siddons, who was the first truly respected female actor in theatre, achieving a huge level of celebrity at the end of the 18th century. April De Angelis’ backstage comedy explores the origins of celebrity culture and portrays Siddons, played by Rachael Stirling, as a pioneer in command of her own image and craft. Emma talks to April and Rachael about what inspired them to bring Siddons back to life.

Why have women with children long struggled to be taken seriously as artists? Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood looks at the joys and heartaches, mess, myths and mishaps of motherhood through over 60 artists and 100 artworks. Art critic Hettie Judah who curated the exhibition and artist and senior lecturer at the Royal College of Art Hermione Wiltshire who has two pieces of work displayed in it join Emma.

In January 2023, Eleanor Williams was found guilty of perverting the course of justice after inflicting injuries on herself and then posting pictures of them claiming they were a result of rape and grooming. Why would she lie? That’s the subject of a new podcast, Unreliable Witness, which looks into what happened before, during and after the accusations made by Eleanor. Sky News Specialist Producer Liz Lane joins Emma to talk about the new discoveries about the story she made while looking into what happened.

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