Woman's Hour

Two nurses, Heather who is a Specialist Community Nurse for a London NHS Trust and Mary, who works as an A&E nurse in Leeds, explain why they are joining the picket line today. Cally Beaton had a high-flying career as a TV executive. But she swapped the boardroom for the comedy club after receiving career advice from none other than Joan Rivers. Cally joins Jessica Creighton to describe how she has now achieved her comedy goal by making her debut appearance on the Christmas Special of Live at The Apollo’ at the age of 53. Breaking up for the Christmas holidays is exciting for a lot of children but for some it means a stop to one guaranteed warm meal a day in a heated place. We’re joined by teacher Andria Zafirakou, who’s seeing children come to school hungry and unwashed. Lockdown caused a lot of us to change our habits permanently including when it comes to our hair. Lots of people let their natural grey take over – and now there’s even a trend emerging where people are purposefully showing their roots. Hairdresser Sofia Sjoo joins Jess. For those who are grieving the loss of a loved one - Christmas time can be a very difficult period – even more so when it’s the first Christmas without them. One listener got in contact us with to suggest that we feature an item at this time on how to talk to parents whose child or children have died. Ruth’s son Fergus was just twelve years old when he died of cancer in May this year. She joins me now. Presenter: Jessica Creighton Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Actor Jane Horrocks joins Krupa Padhy to discuss her new Radio 4 drama about her relationship with the singer-songwriter and actor Ian Dury. Jane had been looking back at her early adulthood, coming across old love letters from Ian and her own diary entries which inspired her to create the drama about their tumultuous one year relationship. We speak to Frances O'Grady, the outgoing General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress who leaves after a decade in the job. She talks to Krupa Padhy about the current wave of industrial action across the public sector, the highs and lows of the job and her plans for the future as she prepares to join the House of Lords as a Labour Party peer.Following ongoing nationwide protests, the Iranian government has intensified its crackdown. Two men have been executed since the beginning of the month, and local human rights activists say at least 328 people have been killed and nearly 15,000 others have been detained, as of last month. One of those arrested at the weekend is Taraneh Alidoosti, one of Iran’s best known actresses. Krupa is joined by Saba Zavarei from the BBC Persian Service and Dr Rowena Abdul Razak who teaches international history at the London School of Economics and specialises on Iran. When you hear the phrase 'the French woman' what comes to your mind? Maybe you think of a sexy accent, fashionable clothes, perhaps the word 'chic'? With the return of Netflix's Emily in Paris we wanted to look at the stereotype of the French woman. Do these ideals hold or is it, to borrow a French word, just a cliché? To discuss Krupa is joined by the Director Charlotte Seegers whose film She's French explores these ideas, and also by the UK based French journalist Marie Le Conte.

How to hang the loo roll to where to store the mustard - TV presenter Claudia Winkleman on the domestic tasks that need to done a certain way in the home.The Health Minister Helen Whately on what the government is doing to resolve the row over nurses' pay. The latest on the online harms bill with Baroness Beeban Kidron, the founder of the 5Rights Foundation which campaigns to make the digital world safer for children and young people.British actor Naomi Ackie on playing Whitney Houston in new film Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance.Following the death in custody of 22 year old Mahsa Amini who had been detained by the Iranian morality police for not wearing her headscarf correctly, we hear the anonymous diaries of female protestors in the country. The discovery of an ancient female burial site in Northamptonshire has been described as one of the most important finds ever discovered in Britain. This woman is thought to be a Christian leader of significant wealth and her jewellery is considered an outstanding example of craftsmanship for this early medieval period. Lyn Blackmore, from the Museum of London and Irina Dumitrescu, Professor for Medieval English Literature at the University of Bonn discuss.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Dianne McGregor

Sarah de Lagarde was commuting home on the London Underground when she slipped through the gap between the platform edge and the train at High Barnet station. She was run over by two tube trains. She lost her right leg and arm as a result and spent two months in hospital before being discharged on December 1st. She is now learning how to walk again and is fundraising for a new bionic arm. Sarah joins Anita to share her extraordinary story of survival and recovery.British actor Naomi Ackie takes centre stage in the new biopic, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance which comes out on 23 December. Naomi spent a year learning to talk, sing and move like Whitney for the blockbuster film which documents the life and career of the woman who became one of the bestselling music artists of all time, known simply as ‘The Voice.’ We’re getting into the swing of the Christmas party season now with many of us making up for lost time during the pandemic, glamming up with false eyelashes. According to a recent poll, eyelash extensions are one of the top beauty treatments requested by consumers - for example, there was a 795% increase on searches for Russian Lashes in 2019. But how can we best wear and care for false eyelashes? And what are the alternatives? To find out more Anita is speaks to the columnist Sali Hughes and Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes.Over the Christmas period, it is estimated that more than 950,000 disabled people across the UK will need paid in-home care. The narrative surrounding carer workers has often been one of self-sacrifice and pity for having to work over Christmas - but what is it like as the person who needs care to share your Christmas day with people who aren’t your family? Lady-Marie Dawson-Malcom was a physical training instructor in the British army, a mother to a six-month-old daughter and was preparing to take part in her first London marathon, when she sustained a C5 complete spinal cord injury after a fall – meaning she requires 24/7 in home care. She joins Anita to describe her experience.Presented by Anita Rani Producer: Louise Corley Editor: Beverley Purcell

Strictly Come Dancing’s Claudia Winkelman in conversation with Emma Barnett about the domestic tasks that need to done a certain way in the home; starting with how to hang a toilet roll.Health Minister Helen Whately is questioned about the historic strike by members of the Royal College of Nursing.Dame Kate Bingham the woman who led the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce talks about her concerns regarding our readiness to tackle the next pandemic. She says the UK’s going 'backwards' in this area and is 'baffled' by the decisions to 'dismantle' many of the capabilities she helped set up.And Baroness Beeban Kidron, the founder of the 5Rights Foundation which campaigns to make the digital world safer for children and young people brings us the latest on the online harms bill.Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Studio Manager: Bob Nettles

Two and a half years ago Baroness Cumberlege wrote a report looking at two drugs and a medical device which caused women or their babies harm. She made a list of recommendations to support victims and prevent future, avoidable damage. Yesterday she appeared in front of the Health and Social Care Select Committee and expressed her frustration at the slow progress of the Department of Health on this issue. She updates Emma Barnett about her concerns.Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are due to start strike action tomorrow. Since we spoke to the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing Pat Cullen yesterday on this programme, the RCN has been urged to do more to 'avoid patient harm' and 'alleviate unnecessary distress' for dying patients on strike days by the Chief Nursing Officer for England Ruth May, and the chief nursing officers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as the NHS's head of cancer care. Emma is joined by BBC health reporter Jim Reed and then Baroness Watkins, cross bench peer and a nurse for 50 years. She's also Visiting Chair of Nursing at Kings College London, and is hoping that the strike will be called off.In this cold weather, we’re all reaching for our winter woollies. One of the things you may be wearing is a balaclava, that piece of headwear that covers your head and chin traditionally knitted by your grandma. These winter warmers originated during the Crimean War and they’re having a moment this year, thanks to big name fashion brands, Gen Z’s and Tik Tok and Instagram influencers. Fashion writer Tiffanie Darke is here to tell us how we can be warm and stylish.Protests have been taking place across Iran since mid-September after the death in custody of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini who had been detained by Iranian morality police for not wearing her headscarf correctly. Over the last two and a half months, women living in Iran have been sending their thoughts and diaries in secret to the BBC’s Saba Zavarei. They come in the form of voice notes, writings, videos and drawings, which the women then destroy on their phones in case they are searched. These diaries show the everyday risks and dangers that women face, as they continue to protest in Iran. We speak to the Elizabeth Gardiner the CEO of the Whistleblowing charity Protect about what protection is available for women who do put their careers on the line to report malpractice and wrongdoing.

Hilary McGrady, the Director General of the National Trust, one of Britain's biggest heritage organisations and the custodian of hundreds of our finest castles, great houses and beaches and countryside. They’ll be discussing some of the recent controversies that’ve left to criticisms that it’s become too politicised in recent years. Critics say that in its pursuit of becoming more accessible to more people it’s fallen short of its original remit to acquire and preserve Britain’s heritage. After four years in the job, Emma Barnett speaks to Hilary about what she sees as her greatest achievements to date and her vision for the National Trust in the future.Thursday will see the first ever national strike action in the Royal College of Nursing's 106-year-old history. This comes after talks between the nursing union and the government dramatically collapsed last night. We hear from Pat Cullen the General Secretary and Chief Executive of the RCN.With Christmas party season in full swing for the first time in three years, many of us will be taking to the dancefloor. But how often do we truly get to dance like no one is watching? As we get older, do the opportunities become more scarce, and the internal shame more inhibiting? What are the songs - and who are the dance partners - which force us onto the floor? Emma Barnett is joined by the queen of the kitchen disco herself, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and comedian Ania Magliano to discuss the joy of losing yourself on the dancefloor.Former F1 driver David Coulthard on why he's determined that women are not forgotten when it comes to Formula 1. Presenter Emma Barnett Producer Beverley Purcell Photo Credit. John Millar. National Trust.

It’s been 16 years since the fatal poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, who had exposed corruption in Russia and died in a hospital in London after ingesting tea which contained a radioactive substance. His wife, Marina Litvinenko, brought the case to the European Court of Human Rights in 2021 which upheld that Mr Litvinenko had been the victim of a FSB assassination “probably” approved by Putin. Russia denies any involvement. Marina joins Emma to discuss the upcoming ITVX drama Litvinenko.The government has announced that street harassment will be made a crime in England with jail sentences of up to two years. The Home Secretary Suella Braverman who has backed the move says ‘every woman should feel safe to walk our streets’. But what’s the reality? Reporter Ellie Flynn recently went undercover to highlight the experience of sexual harassment experienced by girls and women in the UK today. She joins Emma to talk about her new documentary.The discovery of an ancient female burial site in Northamptonshire has been described as one of the most important finds ever discovered in Britain. This woman is thought to be a Christian leader of significant wealth and her jewellery is considered an outstanding example of craftsmanship for this early medieval period. Emma is joined by Lyn Blackmore, from the Museum of London and Irina Dumitrescu, Professor for Medieval English Literature at the University of Bonn. It's been revealed that the author JK Rowling is founding and personally funding a new female only service for survivors of sexual violence in Edinburgh. We are joined by the BBC's David Wallace Lockhart and The Daily Telegraph's Suzanne Moore who broke the story. Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Emma Pearce

Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance star in the brand new film, ‘The Silent Twins’, which tells the story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, twin girls who only spoke to each other, and no one else. We hear the actors speaking about what it meant to them to play these remarkable twins. Also the former investigative journalist, Marjorie Wallace, who campaigned for the twins and wrote a book with them.Hear from the daughter-in-law of the late artist Beryl Cook, alongside art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnston, as a new exhibition of Beryl’s work opens in New York. Emma Barnett talks to them about Beryl painting women enjoying themselves in pubs and clubs, as well as why her artwork means so much to people.Anita Rani speaks to the Oxfam GB whistleblower Helen Evans, who features in a new documentary about female whistleblowers. She discusses not only the impact the decision had on her at the time, but the consequences to her life going forwards, and what happened afterwards. Academy award-winning actor Kate Winslet joins Emma Barnett to speak about her newest project on Channel 4, ‘I am…Ruth’. In it, she acts alongside her real-life daughter in a story that tackles the mental health issues caused by smartphones and social media. Plus, hear why she thinks women in their 40s are going into the best time of life. How do you decide which side of the family to spend Christmas with? Krupa Padhy speaks to one mother who feels like she’ll lose her sons once their wives or girlfriends take control of the festive season, as well as a relationship psychiatrist on how to avoid these kinds of tensions.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Lottie Garton

The Canadian Grammy winning singer Celine Dion, who had a mega hit with the track 'My Heart Will Go On', has revealed her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome, an incurable, rare neurological disorder that causes muscle rigidity and episodes of severe spasms. In an emotional video, shared with her 5.2 million followers on instagram she announced that the condition will leave her unable to play planned shows in Europe. Music journalist Lisa Verrico discusses what this will mean for her and her career.You may remember the video that went viral in 2021 of Rose Ayling-Ellis and her Strictly Come Dancing partner Giovanni dancing in complete silence during their Couple’s Choice dance. Rose is deaf and uses British Sign Language to help her communicate. They wanted to use their dance to show what it is like for the deaf community on a daily basis. She went on to win the show and won a BAFTA after the dance was voted by the public as the Must-See TV Moment that year. Now she’s back on stage in Soho Place theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy As You Like It. She joins Anita Rani to talk about her West End debut in the show and the work she’s doing to make theatre more accessible for deaf audiences.A new documentary about whistleblowers has just been released. 'When We Speak' follows the stories of three women, Helen Evans a former Oxfam employee who spoke out about sexual exploitation and abuse at Oxfam GB, British intelligence employee Katharine Gun who leaked a memo from GCHQ in the run up to the Iraq war and Rose McGowan who spoke out about sexual abuse in Hollywood. The documentary shares the motivations, experiences and fallout of each of their cases. Joining Anita Rani is one of these whistleblowers, Helen Evans, who until 2015 was global head of Safeguarding at Oxfam.An estimated 17,000 children are impacted by maternal imprisonment every year but their needs are rarely considered when their mum is arrested, sentenced or sent to prison. So today The Prison Reform Trust has issued an urgent call for action for better support for those who are among the most vulnerable children in society. As part of this call for action, the charity has published a new toolkit to help practitioners, who are involved with these children, ensure they are properly supported, listened to and their needs identified and met. We hear from Layla, one of six children, whose mother was first imprisoned when she was seven, and associate of the Prison Reform Trust, Sarah Beresford project lead for the toolkit.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Lisa Verrico Interviewed Guest: Rose Ayling-Ellis Interviewed Guest: Helen Evans Interviewed Guest: Sarah Beresford