Woman's Hour

Judith Moritz, a BBC special correspondent known for her investigative work on adoption, discusses the alarming findings of over a thousand adopted children returning to care over five years. She shares personal stories highlighting the systemic issues parents face, including false allegations and the lack of support. Film critic Leila Lateef analyzes the cultural impact of 'Wicked', exploring its themes of female friendship and generational resonance, confirming how such narratives are increasingly captivating audiences.

Laura Goetze breaks down Italy's groundbreaking femicide law and its societal implications. Kassa Pancho discusses Ballet Black's mission to tackle racial barriers in ballet and her adaptation of a novel for the stage. Grace Walker explores her debut novel, highlighting themes of identity and ethical dilemmas amid dystopian settings. Erin Mansell and Sarah Pennells analyze budget measures affecting women and child poverty, touching on pensions and financial strategies. Together, they shine a light on crucial issues facing women today.

Katie Watson, the BBC Sydney correspondent, discusses Australia's bold move to restrict social media access for under-16s, citing mental health concerns and the complexities of enforcement. She shares insights from Australian teens about their mixed feelings on these new laws. Joining her is Susanna Hancock, who sheds light on the youth justice system's treatment of girls, emphasizing the need for trauma-informed approaches and alternative care solutions. Together, they highlight the pressing need for reforms to better support vulnerable youth.

Dame Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive of Ofcom, dives into new guidance aimed at enhancing online safety for women and girls. She highlights the need for tech companies to combat online abuse and discusses partnerships to support women in sports. Jennifer Cox, psychotherapist and author, explores the rising trend of rage rooms as a unique outlet for women's anger and offers techniques for healthy emotional expression. 17-year-old athlete Izzy Kyson speaks on her documentary addressing why girls drop out of sports during puberty and introduces a toolkit aimed at supporting young athletes.

Dr Clair Evans, a leading consultant in paediatric pathology, discusses the alarming workforce shortages and delays in postmortems affecting families. Colletta Smith, the BBC's Cost of Living correspondent, provides insights on the upcoming UK budget, highlighting its potential impacts on women and pensioners. The conversation also touches on Frida Kahlo's record-breaking self-portrait sale, underscoring the gender disparities in the art market. Listeners are left considering the broader societal implications of these critical topics.

Suzanne Edwards is a pioneering participant in neural-implant trials, working to regain mobility after a spinal injury, and shares how sport has shaped her journey. Professor Janet Cade, a researcher from the University of Leeds, reveals eye-opening findings from a landmark study linking diet to women's health risks, including cancer and menopause timing. Unbeaten boxer Francesca Hennessy, known as the 'billion-dollar baby,' discusses her rise in women's boxing, her intense training regime, and the excitement of primetime coverage for the sport.

The Covid Inquiry led by Baroness Hallett has concluded that the UK did too little too late in response to Covid-19, that the lockdown could have been avoided if steps such as social distancing and isolating had been introduced earlier. Joining Anita Rani to give their response to the findings and tell their stories of that time, are musical theatre actor Ruthie Henshall, whose mother died in a care home during Covid and Naomi Fulop, from Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, who also lost her mother during this time. Another chance to hear a shortened version of an interview Anita recorded last month with Melinda French Gates, the most well known and powerful woman in philanthropy. In 2000, Melinda co-founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has - to date - donated over one hundred billion dollars to charitable projects. She and Bill Gates married in 1994 and divorced in 2021, after 27 years of marriage. Melinda has since left their joint enterprise and set up her own, Pivotal Ventures, which has one purpose: to put power into the hands of women. In a new report 'Care, courage, change,' the World Health Organisation has conducted analysis of the various health and support policies for survivors of violence in the 53 countries of the WHO European Region. The report reveals that almost one in three women and girls aged 15-years and older, will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime - but countries' health sectors are failing nearly one in three survivors. Anita Rani talks to Melanie Hyde, WHO Europe’s Gender, Equality and Human Rights Technical Officer, author of the report.Poetry, love and an incurable cancer diagnosis are the themes of a new film looking at the relationship between the acclaimed spoken word poet and activist Andrea Gibson and their wife, writer Megan Falley. Megan joins Anita along with the documentary's producer Jessica Hargrave to talk about the film and her late wife. Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rebecca Myatt

Francesca Hennessy, the unbeaten 'Billion Dollar Baby' boxer, shares her journey as she prepares for a high-stakes fight, emphasizing the growth of women's boxing. Zoe Conway explores concerning NEET statistics, revealing shifts in demographics and government responses. Painter Caroline Walker discusses her thought-provoking exhibition 'Mothering,' highlighting the often-overlooked realities of motherhood and support networks. Lastly, Suzanne Edwards recounts her inspiring experience with neurotechnology trials, showcasing resilience in her rehabilitation journey.

Saskia Reeves, a versatile actor known for her role in 'Slow Horses,' shares insights into her latest performance in the National Theatre production 'End,' exploring complex relationships with co-star Clive Owen. Georgina Young, a registered childminder, discusses the pressing financial challenges her profession faces amidst declining numbers and government funding cuts. Frank Gardner, BBC Security Correspondent, analyzes the UK’s counterterrorism policies, emphasizing the urgent need for organized repatriation of women and children still in camps in Iraq and Syria.

Lily Megson-Harvey, Policy Director at My Pension Expert, reveals how a staggering number of women could face poverty in retirement due to the gender pension gap. Maxime Rowson, from Rape Crisis England and Wales, discusses troubling delays in rape trials, urging for reforms to protect survivors. Professor Janet Cade shares eye-opening findings from the UK Women's Cohort Study regarding diet's impact on women's health. Novelist Harriet Lane delves into themes of social media, exploring how parasocial relationships shape modern friendships.