Woman's Hour

Writer, comic, theatrical impresario, TV host and weekend chainsaw wielder Sandi Toksvig joins Clare McDonnell to talk about Friends of Dorothy, her first adult novel in 12 years. When Stevie and Amber move into their new home, they are surprised to find that the old woman they bought it from, a cantankerous and outrageous 79-year-old called Dorothy, is still living there.Today marks two years since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Iran. She’d been arrested by the country’s morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly and died in police custody. Her death sparked nationwide protests and the birth of the Women, Life, Freedom movement. BBC Verify journalist Reha Kansara talks to Clare about her new reporting on the women who continue to speak out and the horrific consequences they are still suffering.The Breast Cancer Now Generations Study was set up in 2004 to help understand the causes of breast cancer. This 40-year landmark study – which this month reaches its halfway point – is following over 110,000 women to understand why breast cancer develops. Woman’s Hour has been following the project from the start, checking in every decade. Clare is joined by co-leader of the study Professor Amy Berrington and participant Amanda Jones.The trailblazing ballerina, Michaela Mabinty DePrince, has died at the age of 29. A war orphan from Sierra Leone, she was brought to the US by her adopted family and made her way to the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Dutch National Ballet, and even performed alongside Beyoncé. We hear an archive interview with Michaela when she spoke to Woman’s Hour about her life and career in 2015.Carrie Hope Fletcher is an author, singer, West End star – and now a new mum. She’s about to start a brand new tour around the UK, called Love Letters, which will feature musical theatre favourites and love letters from the audience. She joins Clare to talk about the tour, what it’s like being a musical theatre mum, and why she's chosen not to put photos of her child online.Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Maryam Maruf Editor: Olivia Bolton Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant

Tracy-Ann Oberman has reprised her role as Eastenders’ Chrissie Watts. She talks to Nuala about stepping back into this character after almost two decades, and her recent adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. In it, Tracy-Ann plays a female version of the Jewish character, Shylock, and sets the action in 1930s London during the rise of Oswald Mosley, the antisemitic founder of the British Union of Fascists.We look back at Tuesday's special programme, live from the Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House in London, looking at the support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – or SEND as it’s often known in England. Nuala heard from guest panellists including Kellie Bright, an actress in EastEnders but also a mum to a child with SEND, Katie, who is 17 and says she was completely failed by the SEND system, Marsha Martin, the founder and CEO of the charity Black SEN Mamas and the Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell.Visual artist Bharti Kher’s new exhibition, Target Queen at the Southbank Centre, features supersized bindis reimagined from their microscopic form to the macro size worn by the goddess, transforming the brutalist building into a powerful feminine force. Bharti joins Anita to discuss the exhibition.The newly elected Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Labour MP Sarah Owen, joins Anita Rani on the programme to discuss the remit of her new role and what she hopes to achieve.A new play, The Lightest Element, which has opened at Hampstead Theatre, explores the life and career of astronomer Cecila Payne-Gaposchkin, the first person to work out what stars are made of. Anita is joined by actor Maureen Beatie, who plays Cecilia, and the playwright Stella Feehilly.

The Chief Executive of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre has stepped down. It follows an independent review which found the centre failed to protect women-only spaces. It was commissioned by Rape Crisis Scotland - after an employment tribunal found the centre in Edinburgh had unlawfully discriminated against an employee - who believed sexual assault victims should be able to choose the sex of those supporting them. Anita Rani hears more from Lorna Gordon, the BBC's Scotland correspondent. Karen Maguire received an out-of-court settlement from South Lanarkshire Council last year after her adoption of a two-year-old boy broke down. She won the payout after her lawyer argued that the council had failed to provide her with sufficient background information on the child and did not support her during the placement. Karen tells Anita why she has decided to speak out. And Anita also hears from Dr Polly Cowan from Scottish Adoption and Fostering, who has separately carried out research into child adoption breakdowns. Visual artist Bharti Kher’s new exhibition, Target Queen at the Southbank Centre, features supersized bindis reimagined from their microscopic form to the macro size worn by the goddess, transforming the brutalist building into a powerful feminine force. Bharti joins Anita to discuss the exhibition. Director Fawzia Mirza joins Anita to talk about her feature film debut, The Queen of My Dreams. Set across Karachi and Canada, the film follows Azra, a queer aspiring actress who clashes with—and ultimately reconciles with—her conservative Pakistani mother. Partly inspired by Fawzia's own life, it explores the bonds between mothers and daughters and how gay brown girls can also have an epic Bollywood-style romance.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Dianne McGregor

Join Sarah Owen, the Labour MP and new Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, as she shares her ambitions to address health inequalities and women's rights. Acclaimed author Tracy Chevalier delves into her latest novel, The Glassmaker, exploring centuries of Venetian history and the challenges faced by women in glassmaking. The conversation takes a serious turn as they discuss a disturbing rape trial in France, emphasizing the need for cultural shifts and accountability in addressing sexual violence. It's a powerful blend of advocacy and storytelling.

Beware the post-menopausal women who doesn’t give a damn, says 63-year-old TV presenter Carol Vorderman. Carol, a self-described ‘old bird with an iphone’ joins Nuala McGovern to discuss her new book: Now What? On a Mission to Fix Broken Britain. Part memoir, part tool kit the book relates Carols campaign to defeat the last Tory Government, and urges millions to find their voice and hold the new Labour Government, and all future governments, to better account. Following on from the Woman’s Hour SEND programme yesterday, we now focus specifically on SEND provision for black and Asian minority ethnic families. Nuala is joined by Stephen Kingdom, Campaign Manager for the Disabled Children’s Partnership, who shares exclusive findings from a report they have conducted. Plus, co-founder of the Sikh disability charity SEN Seva Praveen Mahal tells Nuala about her own personal experience. The pioneering photographer Lee Miller worked as a fashion model and an artist before becoming a war correspondent for British Vogue in the 1930s. Her images taken during World War II are some of the most arresting and enduring of the conflict. A new film about her life, which stars Kate Winslet, focuses on the period in her life when she defied convention to become a war photographer, travelling to the front lines. The film’s director Ellen Kuras explains how they captured Lee Miller’s adventurous spirit.Last night saw the first - and so far, only scheduled - televised presidential debate in the USA ahead of the election in November. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump spoke for 90 minutes, each accusing the other of lying. Women's issues were on the table for debate including a heated exchange on abortion. Nuala discusses with New York Times columnist Amanda Taub.Presented by Nuala McGovern Producer: Louise Corley

In a live edition from the BBC Radio Theatre in London, Woman's Hour examines how children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, or SEND, as it is called in England, are supported in school. In Scotland the system is called ASN, Additional Support Needs; In Wales it's ALN, Additional Learning Needs; In Northern Ireland it is known as the SEN register, that is the Special Educational Needs Register. The programme is about children and young people who need extra support to learn, and the mothers trying to access it for them. The children may be autistic, have ADHD, or be a wheelchair user. Some may have learning disabilities, or be blind, deaf, or dyslexic. They all have a legal right to an education just like any other child. Woman's Hour had an overwhelming response from the mothers of these children to say that the system is beyond broken. That has led to a crisis in their, and their children's lives. Carolyn Atkinson, Woman’s Hour reporter, shares the results of a poll specially commissioned for the programme. Nuala McGovern talks to Kellie Bright, an actress in EastEnders who is also mum to a child with SEND; Katie, a 17 year old girl with SEND who feels she was let down by the system and is now campaigning for a better one; Catriona Moore, Policy Manager from IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice); Catherine McKinnell, Minister for School Standards; Marsha Martin, the founder and CEO of Black SEN Mamas; Chloe Davies, a SEN teacher in a state special school in the Vale of Glamorgan and who previously worked in a mainstream school; Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza; and mums of children with SEND Samantha and Kirsti.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Reporter: Carolyn Atkinson Producer: Carolyn Atkinson and Rebecca Myatt

Social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are facing charges in Romania of human trafficking and organised crime. If found guilty, they could be jailed for more than 10 years. They strongly deny the charges against them. Now, two British women not involved with the Romanian case, have given detailed first-hand accounts to the BBC, against Andrew Tate, of alleged rape and sexual violence. The allegations date back at least 10 years, to when Mr Tate was living in Luton. BBC Panorama reporter Ruth Clegg joins Nuala McGovern to discuss. Tracy-Ann Oberman has reprised her role as Eastenders’ Chrissie Watts. She talks to Nuala about stepping back into this character after almost two decades, and her recent adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. In it, Tracy-Ann plays a female version of the Jewish character, Shylock, and sets the action in 1930s London during the rise of Oswald Mosley, the antisemitic founder of the British Union of Fascists.Around 1,700 prisoners will be freed tomorrow when the government's new early release scheme, SDS40, comes in to effect. We look at both the impact that this scheme will have on women who have been the victims of crime and the experiences of women in prison. Nuala speaks to Andrea Coomber KC, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform which campaigns for prison reform.Rebecca Middleton was in her late 30s when she was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. It is a condition that's believed to be more common in women than men and in Rebecca's case it was hereditary – she lost her grandmother and mother to the condition, which is what led to her own genetic testing. Rebecca has since had successful surgery to remove the aneurysm and has also created the charity, Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support to help other people going through it. In Paris, pouring rain and exploding fireworks ended the Paralympics last night with drenched, dancing Paralympians. Nuala is joined by Paralympian turned broadcaster, Rachael Latham to talk about the standouts, surprises and legacy of the Games.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Maryam Maruf Studio Manager: Bob Nettles

We hear about the thousands of women suing the breast implant manufacturer Allergan over alleged links with a rare cancer. We have an exclusive interview with a woman who has received a payout from the company after falling sick. Susan Axelby told our reporter Melanie Abbott that she ended up being diagnosed with cancer after having an operation which was supposed to prevent it. Plus, Nuala McGovern was joined by lawyer Sarah Moore to go over details of the case and reveal whether more women in the UK are likely to take action. And Professor Suzanne Turner from Cambridge University discusses her research into this cancer and gives advice to women who have implants, including the fact that the numbers diagnosed are small and it is treatable.Ellen Burstyn has been a star of American stage and screen for 70 years. This week she received the Liberatum Pioneer Award at the Venice Film Festival for her contribution to cinema and the industry, particularly in paving the way for women. She talks to Krupa Padhy about her stories from a lifetime on camera.Head teacher Ruth Perry took her own life in January last year whilst waiting for the publication of an Ofsted report she knew would grade her school as "inadequate". Ruth’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, has been campaigning for change in the way Ofsted rates schools ever since. A review was published today into Ofsted's response to Ruth Perry’s death, and this week the Government announced changes to the way the school's inspector for England rates schools. Nuala was joined by Professor Waters to give her response.From spongy flesh to wandering wombs, there have been many theories about the inner workings of women across the centuries. In her new book, Immaculate Forms, Professor Helen King talks to Anita Rani about how scientific theories and religious beliefs have shaped our understanding of women’s bodies, from Ancient Greece to the present day.This week we speak to not just one Paralympic medallist but two - Team GB triathletes Lauren Steadman and Claire Cashmore, who won bronze and silver in the Para-triathlon category in PTS5. They join Nuala from Paris.Presenter: Krupa Padhy Producer: Annette Wells Editor: Rebecca Myatt

The Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died, after being doused with petrol and set on fire. She is the third female athlete to be killed in Kenya in the past few years. To find out more about what's going on, Krupa Padhy is joined by the BBC's Deputy Africa Editor Anne Soy and Joan Chelimo, a fellow athlete of Rebecca's.Carol Klein is one of our best loved horticulturalists – most known for presenting shows like Gardener’s World. As well as gardening and her career on TV, she also trained as an artist and worked as a teacher. Now she’s written a memoir, Hortobiography, which looks at how her life is all connected through plants. She joins Krupa to tell us more about the book and why our relationship with nature is so important. Artist and disability activist Alison Lapper is exploring her life in a new BBC Three documentary, In My Own Words: Alison Lapper. It examines her life from childhood to becoming a mouth artist, as well as looking at how she processed her grief after losing her son, Parys. Krupa speaks to Alison about her art, her son and her life.Ellen Burstyn has been a star of American stage and screen for 70 years. This week she received the Liberatum Pioneer Award at the Venice Film Festival for her contribution to cinema and the industry, particularly in paving the way for women. She tells Krupa her stories from a lifetime on camera.The Maori of New Zealand have a new Queen - 27-year-old Ngā Wai hono i te pō. She is the only daughter of the former King, and was chosen to succeed him by the Maori chiefs. To find out what this means for Maori women, we hear from broadcaster and commentator Marni Dunlop.Presenter: Krupa Padhy Producer: Lottie Garton

Eluned Morgan is the first woman in history to be first minister of Wales. She was appointed earlier this summer after her predecessor, Vaughan Gething, resigned. What does her appointment mean for women in Wales? What policies will she be focusing on? She joins Anita Rani to discuss all this and more.From spongy flesh to wandering wombs, there have been many theories about the inner workings of women across the centuries. In her new book, Immaculate Forms, Professor Helen King talks about how scientific theories and religious beliefs have shaped our understanding of women’s bodies, from Ancient Greece to the present day. In the US, a rising number of women are joining a wave of right-wing campaigning on social media. Journalist Layla Wright went to the US to meet three of these women in an attempt to understand more about what has influenced their political beliefs. She joins Anita to discuss what she found.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Laura Northedge