Woman's Hour

What comes to your mind when you think of ‘arm wrestling’? Burly men taking each other on to see who’s the strongest in a testosterone charged atmosphere? Well now there is a woman at the heart of this sport in the UK. Kath Whitaker is the UK's only female arm-wrestling referee and is preparing to make her debut at the national championships in Birmingham this weekend.This week the cricketer Azeem Rafiq candidly described the racism he's suffered. No one could fail to be moved by his testimony on Tuesday, and the other interviews he's given since - sometimes very emotional. His comments will have triggered something in people who've experienced what he's talking about, and know it’s true. We talk to the MP Naz Shah and Halima Khan who works in grassroots cricket. A new report by the Prison Reform Trust has just launched a new report on how long sentenced women are “invisible” in prison policy and practice. We hear from “Jane”, a former long-sentence prisoner who talks about her experience of jail and by Julia Killick a trustee from the Prison Reform Trust In the third of our series on toxic relationships we hear from a woman we are calling Katy who feels that her earliest experiences shaped what she looked for and needed from her partners.And we’ve music from Yazz Ahmed a British-Bahraini trumpet player and composer who is a pioneering figure in jazz in the UK.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Studio Engineer: Tim Heffer

Nancy Kelley is CEO of Stonewall, the largest LGBT rights charity in Europe. She speaks to Emma about her organisation’s work and gives her reaction to recent high-profile withdrawals from Stonewall’s Diversity Champions workplace inclusion scheme, including the BBC.Pride and Prejudice (sort of) is a sweary, anarchic reboot of the classic Jane Austen novel by Scottish writer Isobel McArthur, in which an all-female cast of five play all of the characters. Originally written for a summer season in Glasgow’s Tron theatre, after a 6 month regional tour the all-singing and dancing reinterpretation has landed in London’s West End to much applause. Isobel and her co-performer, Tori Burgess, are live in the studio.Frida Kahlo: the famous Mexican artist whose images go far beyond galleries, is being described as having the last laugh this week. Reproductions of her work are everywhere and her face and style adorn merchandise wherever you go. But this week in New York she broke a record. A self-portrait featuring her husband, Diego Rivera, who it's widely acknowledged treated her badly but also whom she adored, sold for a whopping 34.9 million dollars. It's the highest price ever paid, at auction, for a Latin American artwork. And - here's the twist - it's more than Diego ever got for his work. Ruth Millington, an art historian and critic discusses.Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Nancy Kelley Interviewed Guest: Isobel McArthur Interviewed Guest: Tori Burgess Interviewed Guest: Ruth Millington

Two months ago the then head of the policing inspectorate Zoe Billings warned of an “epidemic of violence” against women and girls. She urged police chiefs to “get a grip” of the situation and called for it to be given the same priority as terrorism threats. On her recommendation the Home Office and National Police Chiefs Council which represents the 43 police forces In England and Wales have now funded a new post to coordinate action on the issue and have appointed Detective Chief Constable Maggie Blyth to do the job. She joins Emma Barnett ahead of a policing summit being held in the capital at the end of the week to talk about her new role and future plans.Britney Spears has addressed fans and supporters for the first time since her 13 year conservatorship was lifted by a judge in Los Angeles last Friday. The conservatorship was set in up 2008 after the US pop star faced a mental health crisis. Her father, Jamie Spears, was in charge of the conservatorship but stepped down in 2019 citing health reasons. Britney has previously called the conservatorship “abusive” amid claims that her father was spying on her and illegally recording her conversations. But what does Britney's social media post reveal about her? Emma is joined by Jennifer Otter-Bickerdike professor of Popular Music at the BIMM Institute whose latest book is called Being Britney: Pieces of a Modern Icon. Jane Austen is known and loved for six novels - four published towards the end of her short life and 2 published after her death. In a new book 'Jane Austen Early and Late' Freya Johnston of St Ann's College Oxford argues that the teenage writing contained in three notebooks deserves to be better known and that it sheds new light on her later work. For millions of families, the past 18 months have been defined by grief. And an online growing community, mainly fronted by young women, is helping others to find support through loss. New research by Marie Curie reveals that around half of people in the UK think we don’t talk enough about death and dying as a society. Emma speaks to two young women about their own experiences. Amber Jeffrey is the founder of The Grief Gang podcast. Helen Smith has an Instagram page called Lockdown Grief.Eating Well with Dementia is a new community written recipe book from West Yorkshire. Inspired by the work of their local dementia cafe and cooking group, the book was developed by Young Dementia Leeds, a community service supporting people living with early onset dementia and their families. Emma Barnett speaks to Liz Menacer, Service Manager at Young Dementia Leeds and Diana Harris-Smith whose late husband was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2016. They explore the role of food, memory and dementia.

Last weekend Rose Ayling-Ellis and her partner Giovanni Pernice danced part of their routine on Strictly with a silent section in tribute to the deaf community. Rose thanked her partner by saying "I feel very thankful for your determination to make this dance the most positive, happy dance, it can be, because you know that being deaf, there's nothing wrong, it's such a joy to be deaf". Rose, who normally stars in EastEnders, is one of many female deaf actors to grace our screens. Sophie Leigh Stone was the first deaf actress to win a place at RADA and to take part in Doctor Who. Gabriella Leon plays Jade Lovall in Casualty. Even Eternals - the latest Marvel movie - stars Lauren Ridloff as the deaf superhero Makkari. So what effect is this increased visibility of deaf women having on the deaf community? Emma is joined by Camilla Arnold, a friend of Rose Ayling-Ellis and the BBC's first deaf series producer and Teresa Waldron, the managing director of Deaf-initely Women, a charity supporting deaf women in Derby.While the sleaze debate rumbles on in parliament, this morning the Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is announcing a new campaign to stop sexual violence against women and girls in conflict around the world. This includes more than £20 million of new funding to tackle the issue. She will be speaking at the Gender Equality Advisory Council today to seek a new global agreement to condemn the use of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war as a “red line” on a par with chemical weapons. The campaign is a response to a report by the Gender Equality Advisory Council, an independent group of experts convened by the Prime Minister under the UK's G7 Presidency. We hear from Baroness Arminka Helic, a Conservative Peer in the House of Lords. She started off a UK government programme to tackle sexual violence in conflict zones that was then launched by former foreign secretary Lord William Hague and Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie. Former netball England International and England head coach Tracey Neville MBE is supporting a new campaign - ‘Coach the Coaches’ - to encourage young women from deprived areas to use sport to help improve their metal health AND their career opportunities. The campaign aims to give 16-24 year olds the skills needed to become coaches. We ask the Former England Netball head coach why she wanted to support the campaign.The Bank of England has warned against women working from home and that not returning to the office will result in ‘two track’ career development. We discuss this with the Resolution Foundation’s Research Director Lindsay Judge and Emma Stewart MBE, Co-Founder of Timewise, a flexible working consultancy.Angela Merkel is stepping down as German chancellor after 16 years in power, bringing to an end a political career that has spanned more than three decades. Back in 1991, when Angela was Minister for Women, the photographer Herlinde Koelbl began a study called ‘Traces of Power’, using Angela as one of her photographic subjects. This event took place across a thirty year period, and the results are now displayed in a new book ‘Angela Merkel: Portraits 1991-2021'.Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Baroness Arminka Helic Interviewed Guest: Camilla Arnold Interviewed Guest: Teresa Waldron Interviewed Guest: Tracey Neville Interviewed Guest: Herlinde Koelbl Interviewed Guest: Lindsay Judge Interviewed Guest: Emma Stewart

Kirsten Dunst started in the acting business when she was just three years old - you may know her from films such as Marie Antoinette, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Virgin Suicides and Spiderman. She joins Emma to talk about her latest film - The Power of the Dog - written and directed by the award winning Jane Campion. Is there a 'laddish' culture within the British Armed forces? And is it necessary in order to prepare – mainly men - for armed battle and conflict? Emma discusses culture within the Services with the Labour MP, mayor and former army major Dan Jarvis.Children as young as four have been reported to police for abusing their parents, and according to police force Freedom of Information data, 42,000 incidents were instigated by adolescents and children aged 19 and under between January 2018 and June 2021. This abuse can range from physical, verbal and emotional abuse such as punching, kicking, threatening with knives, swearing or hurling demeaning insults. It is a relatively unacknowledged and under-researched form of abuse, with little support offered to families. It is also gendered with more mothers experiencing it than fathers. Emma is joined by the domestic abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs, and Sharon, a grandmother who is looking after her nine year old grandson. Parcopresis is the inability to defecate or go for a poo without a certain level of privacy. The condition is also known as shy bowel and it can stop people from feeling comfortable about going at work, while out and about or even while sharing a toilet with a new partner. The knock on effect of this is often constipation and according to The Bowel Group Report 2020 one in seven adults suffer from constipation and 60% of that number are women. What causes this anxiety, why do more women suffer from men and what are the long term health implications of this? Emma asks Eleanor Morgan, author of Hormonal: A Conversation About Women’s Bodies, Mental Health and Why We Need to be Heard and Professor Siwan Thomas-Gibson, consultant gastroenterologist and specialist endoscopist at St Mark's National Bowel Hospital in London.Joanna Harriott is in her 50th year of being a teacher. She has worked in west Belfast her entire career and in the same school, St John the Baptist School, since 1973. She tells Emma why she doesn't want to give it up.

Mary Robinson, once President of Ireland and now the Chair of The Elders, has been at COP26 in Glasgow all fortnight. She explains why the climate challenge ahead is so emotional.The BBC has withdrawn from a workplace diversity scheme run by Stonewall. On behalf of the BBC, we hear from Rhodri Talfan Davies, who is Director of Nations and sits on the corporation's Executive Committee.Huma Abedin worked as Hillary Clinton’s private top aide and long-time advisor for 25 years. She was also the wife of ex-congressman Anthony Weiner, when a sexting scandal sent him to prison, destroyed their marriage and derailed her boss’ bid to become President in 2016. Emerging from the wings of American political history to take command of her own story, she’s just released her memoir.Daddy Issues. It's an insult now but it started out as a psychological term to explain the importance of father figures. But what exactly are Daddy Issues, how real are they? Katherine Angel, author of ‘Daddy Issues’, and Angharad George-Carey, host of the Daddy Issues podcast joins us.Hollyoaks star Sarah Jayne Dunn is defending the OnlyFans pictures that led to her exit from the long-running soap. Sarah - who has played the character of Mandy Richardson on the show since 1996 - was reportedly axed after refusing to delete her OnlyFans social media account.And people living in Syston, Leicestershire have been treated to an incredible life-size knitted soldier that has appeared at the War Memorial Clock Tower. It is the work of the mysteriously named "Knitting Banksy", an anonymous woman who has been surprising locals with her stunning creations. We hear from Samantha Noble, reporter for BBC East Midlands Online, who's been in contact with Knitting Bansky.

Mary Robinson, once President of Ireland and now the Chair of The Elders, has been at COP26 in Glasgow all fortnight. She explains why the climate challenge ahead is so emotional.Rose Tremain's new novel called Lily begins with a baby being abandoned by her mother outside a London park in Victorian London. She’s rescued from prowling wolves by a young police officer and Lily's life as a foundling child begins. It's a story of revenge and, as often with Rose Tremain's work, the setting might be historical but there are contemporary parallels.Daddy Issues. It's an insult now but it started out as a psychological term to explain the importance of father figures. But what exactly are Daddy Issues, how real are they and what do you do if you think you have them? Katherine Angel, author of ‘Daddy Issues’, and Angharad George-Carey, host of the Daddy Issues podcast joins us.And today is Single’s Day in China. It's the world’s biggest shopping spree. It's supposed to honour those who are not in a romantic relationship, and sales tempt people to treat themselves. It brings in more money than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. We talk to Nina Yu of Hylink, China’s largest digital advertising agency, about the scale and origins of the event. We also find out about changing attitudes towards being an unmarried or ‘leftover’ woman in China with Dr Ye Liu, a sociologist from King’s College London.

The BBC has withdrawn from a workplace diversity scheme run by Stonewall. Last night the BBC director general, Tim Davie, said it was “unquestionable” that its ongoing participation in the scheme “has led some organisations and individuals to consider that the BBC cannot be impartial when reporting on public policy debates where Stonewall is taking an active, campaigning, role”. On behalf of the BBC Emma is joined by Rhodri Talfan Davies, who is Director of Nations and sits on the corporation's Executive Committee.With the latest on the row over standards in public life – and the activities of MPs in particular. Is there a reason why there are more men in the line of fire than women? We hear from former Conservative MP Anna Soubry and Dr Hannah White, Deputy Director at the Institute for Government.'Whatever Happened to Tradition?' is a book by Daily Telegraph journalist Tim Stanley. He argues that the Western tradition is anti-tradition, that we have a dangerous habit of discarding old ways and old knowledge. Sometimes, he argues, we used to do things better and we ignore this at our peril. Emma talks to Tim about his views on family, feminism, culture, sexuality, gender relations and more.During World War Two, hundreds of women served as agents in the Special Operations Executive, a branch of military intelligence which specialised in espionage and sabotage behind enemy lines. We’re joined by history teacher Shalina Patel to tell their remarkable stories, and to look at how they are commemorated today.Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Rhodri Talfan Davies Interviewed Guest: Anna Soubry Interviewed Guest: Hannah White Interviewed Guest: Tim Stanley Interviewed Guest: Shalina Patel

Barbara Taylor Bradford's latest novel A Man Of Honour is a prequel to her first - the 1979 blockbuster A Woman of Substance. It's the story of Shane O'Neill who leaves County Kerry in 1899 at the age of 13 and travels to Leeds to work for his uncle. Known as Blackie on account of his dark hair and eyes, he is a handsome and ambitious grafter - and when he meets young servant Emma Harte on a foggy moor a great friendship begins. Barbara joins Emma in studio.Misogyny and misconduct in the police force has been placed under the microscope following the murder of Sarah Everard in March. Wayne Couzens, a serving Metropolitan police officer, raped and murdered Sarah after kidnapping her in a fake arrest. Couzens is also believed to have been in a WhatsApp group with five police officers who are currently being investigated for gross misconduct, having allegedly shared "discriminatory" messages - including misogynistic content. Claire Bassett is the Deputy Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and has been leading a wider investigation into inappropriate use of group chats and social media across the police force. She says she’s found there to be a harmful “canteen culture" online. Space tourism is now more of a reality. Last month, at the age of 90, William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in Star Trek became the oldest person to venture into space on Jeff Bezos second human spaceflight. But for millions of us it is still just a pipedream. But not for my next guest - Nicole Stott who has done it - not once but twice - first in 2009 and then in 2011. The former NASA astronaut and engineer spent over 3 months living and working on the International Space Station and travelling on the space shuttle. In her new book Back to Earth she chronicles her experience in space, and how lessons there could help people on earth. She joins Emma to describe her earthrise moment, and why we must all become crew members not passengers to fight climate change.People living in Syston, Leicestershire have been treated to an incredible life-size knitted soldier that has appeared at the War Memorial Clock Tower. Created to honour Remembrance Day tomorrow, it is the work of the mysteriously named "Knitting Banksy", an anonymous woman who has been surprising locals with her stunning creations. Apart from the knitted soldier, she has also created 23 post box toppers, earning fans across social media and even from celebrities such as Line of Duty actor Stephen Graham. Joining Emma is Samantha Noble, reporter for BBC East Midlands Online, who's been in contact with Knitting Bansky. Image: Barbara Taylor Bradford Credit: Julian Dufort

It was reported over the weekend that a women's rights activist called Frozan Safi was murdered, after she thought she was being taken to safety. She had been contacted and promised safe passage to Germany, but that never happened. It was a trap. We also heard yesterday about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. When BBC correspondent John Simpson described what he'd seen and the people he'd met he was moved to tears, live on the radio. We hear from a woman now living in the UK - Shukria Barakzai, previously a government minister in Afghanistan and BBC World News correspondent, Yalda Hakim.Huma Abedin worked as Hillary Clinton’s private top aide and long-time advisor for 25 years. She was also the wife of ex-congressman Anthony Weiner, when a sexting scandal sent him to prison, destroyed their marriage and derailed her boss’ bid to become President in 2016. Emerging from the wings of American political history to take command of her own story, she’s just released her memoir 'BOTH/AND'. Exploring themes of addiction, motherhood, the power of therapy, faith and shame, Huma explains why she chose to publicly stand by her husband. Is that must have pandemic purchase now gathering dust in your home? According a a new survey, one in 10 of us have regrets when it comes to items bought during the pandemic Gaming equipment, home gyms, bikes, musical instruments, kitchen appliances such as bread makers, garden furniture, pizza ovens and hot tubs all appeared on the regret list. A survey of 4,000 people found some had sold or given away the items they regretted buying. We hear from retail analyst Catherine Shuttleworth.Our data – and how it is used – is at the heart of political decision making and debate today. It’s part of all our lives - from the digital cookies we sign up to every time we click on a website to the introduction of Covid passports on our mobile devices; and it’s valuable to the tech companies businesses and governments who use it. Elizabeth Denham, heads the Information Commissioner’s Office. In charge of how our data is used, she's responsible for everything from nuisance telephone calls to data breaches and has most recently overseen the deployment of England's contact tracing app and the Test and Trace programme. As she prepares to leave her role at the end of the month, Emma Barnett speaks to Elizabeth about the big issues facing the industry and in particular the impact they will have on women. Last month, the winner of the Max Perutz science writing award was announced – an annual competition for Medical Research Council PhD students. This year’s winner is Vicky Bennett – for her article on treating Urinary Tract Infections. Vicky joins Emma to discuss her research, and why she thinks UTI’s – something most commonly experienced by women – need more attention within medicine.Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Huma Abedin Interviewed Guest: Catherine Shuttleworth Interviewed Guest: Elizabeth Denham Interviewed Guest: Shukria Barakzai Interviewed Guest: Yalda Hakim Interviewed Guest: Vicky Bennett