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BBC Radio 4

Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Listen to The Woman's Hour Guide to Life on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4nTa7W8

Woman's Hour

Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.

02/07/2026

Before the potential Prime Minister has even taken up office, a draft letter has been written for Andy Burnham asking him to appoint as many women as men in his government. It's from the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and asks for change to address the toxicity and misogyny within the Labour party and government. Political correspondent Nick Eardley discusses the letter and its context with Chloe Tilley. 

What happens when you're worried about your child's mental health, but help is months or even years away? A new report by the Children's Commissioner for England paints a stark picture of growing demand and long waits. Referrals have almost doubled since 2018, with more than a million children now in contact with services. Professor Jessica Deighton from the Anna Freud Centre discusses what it means for children and families. And Emma Kluibenschadl tells us how her 15 year old son took his life after being refused help for his mental health problems.

Amanda Wakeley OBE is a self-taught fashion designer. Her designs are much loved by the Royal Family and she’s known for her timeless British womenswear. She joins Chloe today to discuss her new book, Style DNA, in which she encourages women to spend time reflecting on their autobiographical relationship with their clothes. In understanding how our lives shape how we dress, Amanda hopes to give women the tools to work out who they are so their style sits in harmony with their sense of self, and how they’d like to position themselves in the world.

Annabel Rook dedicated her life to supporting vulnerable women, yet her own life was violently taken by her partner. In June last year, at their home, Clifton George attacked her, attempting to strangle her before stabbing her 31 times after she had tried to end their relationship of more than ten years. He then caused an explosion at the property. Annabel co-founded MamaSuze, a creative grassroots arts organisation in North London to enhance the lives of women who have survived violence. Her co-founder, Catherine Milne, wrote a moving article about the death of her best friend, how she tried to support her, and the question of whether she could have done more. Her and Annabel's sister Sophie discuss Annabel's impact and what people can learn from their loss.

Presenter: Chloe Tilley
Producer: Melanie Abbott

Child mental health services, Amanda Wakeley, murder of Annabel Rook

As Baroness Amos releases her long-awaited National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation into maternity service failings in England, we discuss her key findings and what happens next. Presenter Nuala McGovern is joined by former MP and maternity campaigner Theo Clarke, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Dr Karen Joash, and Legal Lead for the advocacy charity Birthrights, Laura Mullarkey. We'll also hear from MP and Maternity Advisor Michelle Welsh about the government's plan to appoint the UK's first Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner, one of Amos' eight key reccomendations. 

Summer holidays have already started for some in schools in Scotland and for many families across the UK it's set to be a challenging time juggling finances, time off work and childcare. Marketing expert Catherine Shuttleworth shares her top tips on how to survive financially whilst also trying to have fun and create those lifelong memories.
 
Despite the male-dominated history of the internet's development, women and sex workers have been pioneering online culture since long before the social media platforms we know today existed. For artist and UCLA professor Mindy Seu, this is at the heart of her work, and on the London leg of a global lecture tour, she joins Nuala in the studio to discuss an alternative history of the internet.
 
Glamorous, fashion-forward, fun – wigs are having a moment, with celebrities leading the way and sales up by 10%. But should you go for something flamboyant, or a more natural style? Guardian journalist Leah Harper tried a different wig every day for a week. She joins us to share her experience along with Melanie Burrell, who owns a wig company in Glasgow, to discuss what might be driving this rise in sales.
 
Presented by: Nuala McGovern
Produced by: Sarah Jane Griffiths

National Maternity Investigation, Budget-friendly school holidays, Wigs

The most prestigious tennis tournament in the world begins today. But Wimbledon has already attracted global attention before the courts even open, with the wildcard return of tennis legend Serena Williams announced earlier this month, and the shock exit of British number one Emma Raducanu due to a stress fracture in her lower right leg. Nuala McGovern is joined by former British number one tennis champion, Annabel Croft. 

The Metropolitan Police says that harm to women by London’s most dangerous men has been cut by more than half under their V100 initiative. Over 200 of the worst perpetrators of violence against women and girls have been convicted since they threw out the normal tactics and started employing counter-terrorism techniques, allied with data crunching. Nuala speaks to Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes about how it works.

Long before she picked up a pair of forceps as Nurse Trixie Franklin in the BBC drama Call the Midwife, actor Helen George trained in musical theatre. She’s returning to those roots to play Tracy Lord in Cole Porter’s High Society, a role made famous by Grace Kelly. She tells Nuala about coming back to the stage and treats us to a live performance of a classic Cole Porter song. 

As part of Radio 4's Once Upon a Time season we're delving into shape-shifting feminist fairy tales, stories which have been constantly evolving ever since the early oral tradition, via the ground-breaking works of writers like Angela Carter to the present day. Award-winning author Kirsty Logan, joins us down the line from Glasgow and the mythologist and psychologist Dr Sharon Blackie joins us from Cumbria. They'll tell us why they believe women need fairy tales now more than ever and, crucially, why we should keep re-writing them for ourselves.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Kirsty Starkey

Helen George, Wimbledon, Met Police and VAWG

Joanna Cherry was elected as an MP in 2015, part of the SNP landslide when they took 56 out of 59 Scottish seats, just a year after the referendum on Scottish independence resulted in a No vote. Joanna went on to lose her seat in 2024 and has become a vocal critic of the party, and of Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership. She was also well-known for expressing gender-critical views and concerns at a time when the SNP was trying to deliver a gender self-ID law in Scotland. She joins presenter Nuala McGovern to talk about what she describes in her memoir as a "tumultuous decade" in Scottish politics.

More than 500 mothers and babies came to harm or died as a result of inadequate care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. That’s according to Donna Ockenden’s review into the maternity services there. Anita Rani speaks to mothers Sarah Hawkins and Sarah Andrews whose babies, Harriet and Wynter, both died from preventable errors.

An inclusive fashion show happening in Manchester this weekend is hoping to shine a light on how difficult it can be for people with disabilities, including autism, to find clothes which suit their bodies and feel good. Ellie Brown, the founder of inclusive clothing brand ReCondition, is behind the fashion show and joins Nuala alongside Sam Stein, a YouTuber who makes content about living with autism, who shares how small changes can go a long way.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Kirsty McQuire

Weekend Woman's Hour: Joanna Cherry and Inclusive Fashion

For three decades, the singer-songwriter Beth Orton has remained one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music. She’s developed a devoted audience, winning a BRIT Award and Mercury Prize nominations for albums such as Trailer Park and Central Reservation. She has collaborated with artists such as The Chemical Brothers, Andrew Weatherall and Nick Cave, and she’s performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Glastonbury Festival and Carnegie Hall. Her 2022 album, Weather Alive, became a major critical breakthrough. Her first self-produced album, it earned widespread acclaim, with The New York Times praising its “modal vocal phrases". Beth joins Anita to discuss her new album The Ground Above, and to perform live.

Schools across England and Wales have faced major disruption this week as extreme heat forces closures and early finishes. BBC analysis suggests more than 2,400 schools have either shut or been disrupted as temperatures climbed. It’s raised fresh questions about whether the education system and its buildings are prepared for hotter summers. BBC Education reporter Vanessa Clarke explains the impact the heat has had alongside Harry Paticas, architect and Founder of RAFT, non-profit community organisation focussing on reducing emissions in schools and communities.

Varsha Gohil’s 23 year case against her ex-husband changed the law for anyone whose spouse hides their wealth in divorce proceedings. It is thought to be the one of the longest-running financial disputes in English family law. Varsha tells Anita Rani about a two-decade battle that included gaining a law degree and representing herself in court. 

DJ Smokin Jo has been a trailblazer in an industry largely dominated by men. A resident at the legendary Trade parties in London in the early 90s she was soon playing the world’s biggest clubs and was the first - and still only - woman to be named DJ Magazine’s DJ of the year. Jo joins Anita to discuss her memoir which details the highs and lows of her career, from finding her community on the dancefloor to rehab, misogyny and what has and hasn’t changed for women in dance music. 

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Simon Richardson

Beth Orton performs live, The 23-year divorce case, DJ Smokin Jo

More than 500 mothers and babies came to harm or died as a result of inadequate care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. That’s according to Donna Ockenden’s review into the maternity services there. Anita Rani speaks to the Times’ Health Editor Eleanor Hayward, and mothers Sarah Hawkins and Sarah Andrews whose babies, Harriet and Wynter, both died from preventable errors.

Sarah Vine’s memoir, How Not to Be a Political Wife, is out in paperback this week, coinciding with the 10 year anniversary of the Brexit vote. The Daily Mail columnist was married to the former Conservative minister Michael Gove, a leading figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union. She gives Anita her take on some of the most turbulent years in modern British politics, and how the pressures affected her friendships, her family, and ultimately her marriage.

Over half of women diagnosed with breast cancer are outside the current 50-70 age range for screening, according to new research by a youth focused breast cancer awareness charity. It's calling for the age of women given screening to be lowered. Anita is joined by Sophie Dopierala-Bull, Director of Services and Engagement at CoppaFeel! 

A new exhibition at the Tate Modern in London looks at how and why the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo became a global icon and a key influence on a generation of artists. Anita speaks to Bea Garcia, co-curator of the exhibition Frida - the making of an icon, and author Hettie Judah.

Nottingham Ockendon review, Sarah Vine, Frida Kahlo at Tate Modern

Why are women’s bodies impacted by heat differently to men’s? What can women do to cool down? Nuala McGovern is joined by GP Dr Amir Khan, Alyx Gorman, lifestyle editor of Guardian Australia, who shares how women are coping with increasingly extreme temperatures, and the practical strategies they’re using to keep safe and comfortable.

A new study has found that the majority of IVF add-ons assessed either show no effect on fertility or remain inconclusive due to limited or low-quality data. Nuala speaks to author of the study Dr Sarah Lensen from the University of Melbourne, broadcaster Hannah Vaughan Jones who went through 15 rounds of IVF and Professor Tim Child from the UK IVF regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). 

Sandy Powell has won three Oscars and is the most BAFTA nominated costume designer of all time for her work on iconic films including Shakespeare in Love, Gangs of New York, Mary Poppins Returns and The Favourite. Now she is turning her attention to the next generation of designers with a new master’s degree course which she has helped create at the National Film and Television School. She tells Nuala about this new course, and what the role of a costume designer involves.

Rukky Brume grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. Her debut novel, It Comes in Waves, follows Onome, a law student in London whose father dies suddenly in Nigeria. Returning home for his funeral, she learns a secret that reveals there was far more to him than she knew. In 2021, her writing was longlisted for the Women's Prize Trust's Discoveries programme. She joins Nuala to discuss grief, loss and belonging and combining writing alongside a legal career.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Dianne McGregor

Women and heat, IVF add-ons, Costume designer Sandy Powell

One of Northern Ireland's most high-profile politicians Jeffrey Donaldson is now convicted of 18 child sex abuse charges, including one charge of rape. One politician said the victims showed 'jaw dropping courage' in coming forward. We'll hear from the BBC's Tara Mills who has been in court throughout the trial. 

Since the start of the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, the England team have won all three of their group matches against Sri Lanka, Ireland and Scotland, with the West Indies next up tomorrow at the Lords. Nuala is joined by England’s head coach and former captain and player Charlotte Edwards, one of the most successful figures in the history of the women's game, and Tilly Corteen-Coleman, the 18-year-old spinner who is the youngest member of England's World Cup squad and one of the country's most exciting young prospects, to discuss the tournament and the growth of women’s cricket. 

An inclusive fashion show happening in Manchester this weekend is hoping to shine a light on how difficult it can be for people with disabilities, including autism, to find clothes which suit their bodies and feel good. Ellie Brown, the founder of inclusive clothing brand ReCondition, is hosting the fashion show. She chats to us. We’re also joined by Sam Stein, a YouTuber who makes content about living with autism, who shares how little changes can go a long way. 
 
The education secretary Bridget Phillipson has said inclusion bases – specialised areas in schools to support SEND pupils - are being misused to punish disruptive pupils. Later this week, the Department for Education will publish guidance for schools to tackle what they describe as the conflation of bad pupil behaviour with special educational needs and disabilities. Nuala is joined by Margaret Mulholland - SEN and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, and Hayley Harding a SEND parent and organiser and founder of campaign group Let Us Learn Too - to discuss how these designated SEND spaces can be used as a bridge to school life, and not as a barrier to it.

Charlotte Edwards; Jeffrey Donaldson convicted; Inclusive fashion; SEND inclusion bases

Maternity care and its shortcomings will be in the spotlight over the next fortnight, as the biggest maternity inquiry in the history of NHS England prepares to report its findings. The independent review by former midwife, Donna Ockenden, has looked into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Meanwhile new figures from the Royal College of Midwives show that more than nine out of 10 of those polled felt unsafe staffing levels are directly impacting the quality of care they provide for women and babies. Next week we'll also hear the recommendations of a national review by Baroness Amos. BBC's social affairs correspondent, Michael Buchanan, talks to presenter Nuala McGovern about what we know so far. 

Joanna Cherry was elected as an MP in 2015, part of the SNP landslide when they took 56 out of 59 Scottish seats, just a year after the referendum on Scottish independence resulted in a No vote. Her memoir, Keeping the Dream Alive, captures the disappointment and euphoria of that time. Joanna went on to lose her seat in 2024 and has become a vocal critic of the party, and of Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership. She was also well-known for expressing gender-critical views and concerns at a time when the SNP was trying to deliver a gender self-ID law in Scotland. She joins presenter Nuala McGovern to talk about that "tumultuous decade" in Scottish politics.

A new study from the Universities of Exeter and Bristol is looking into how heavy periods impact daily life. Led by Gemma Sharp, a Professor of Epidemiology at Exeter, researchers will collect real-time data from thousands of participants to help us understand the relationship between periods - particularly heavy periods - and our energy levels, sleep and mood. Dr Sampurna Kundu, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow who works with Gemma, also shares her own experience of having heavy periods. 

Did you know that mini golf has feminist roots? A playful and ‘playable’ exhibition, The Art of Mini Golf, has just opened at the Battersea Arts Centre in London, channelling the inclusive, subversive spirit of the game’s female founders. Nuala's joined by curator Grace Herbert and one of the featured artists, Delaine Le Bas, to hear more about mini golf's hidden history and the art it’s inspired.

Presented by: Nuala McGovern
Produced by: Sarah Jane Griffiths

Weekend Woman's Hour: Joanna Cherry and Inclusive Fashion

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