Woman's Hour

After going viral on social media earlier this year, new bar La Camionera is planning to open a permanent inclusive venue for “lesbians and their friends”. Reporter Martha Owen has been following as they prepare to open and hears why these spaces are important from DJ Yvonne Taylor, event organisers Jess Whiting Boult and Tabs Benjamin, and poet Joelle Taylor. And Anita Rani is joined by filmmakers Erica Rose and Elina Street, creators of The Lesbian Bar Project, to discuss their award-winning series about lesbian bars in the USA and Germany.

Period tracker apps claim to help women to predict whenthey might start their period and calculate the best time to attempt to conceive. The Information Commissioner's Office has said that a third of women have used one. A report out this week, however, has raised serious questions about the way in which this data is used. The study, by Kings College London and University College London, examined the privacy policies and data safety labels of 20 of the most popular of these kind of apps. The authors say it is the most extensive evaluation of its kind completed to date. Anita discusses the findings and implications with BBC Technology Reporter Shiona McCallum and the lead author of the study Dr Ruba Abu-Salma from Kings College London. Director Amanda Nell Eu discusses her award-winning debut feature film, Tiger Stripes. An imaginative coming-of-age story about a girl who transforms into a jungle cat, it was Malaysia’s official entry to the 2024 Oscars. But this success came at a cost when the film was censored.

Last weekend the Olympic Gold Medallist, Lauren Price MBE, became Wales’ first female boxing world champion – winning the WBA, IBO, and Ring Magazine World Titles in spectacular fashion in her hometown of Cardiff by beating WBA welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill.She joins Anita to talk about her achievement, her diverse sporting career and her legacy.

Presented by Anita Rani Producer: Louise Corley Studio Engineer: Bob Nettles

Schools in England should not teach about gender identity, according to new draft guidance from the government, due to be published in full today. There is also a plan to ban sex education for under-nines. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the new guidance would ensure children were not "exposed to disturbing content". Anita Rani talks to Elaine Dunkley, BBC Education Correspondent to find out the latest.

Talking about her new book, 'How To Win A Grand Prix', Formula One expert Bernie Collins takes Anita behind the scenes of an F1 team, and explains how she forged a career working as a performance engineer at McLaren for names such as Jenson Button, then became Head of Strategy at Aston Martin, with world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Yesterday senior coroner Martin Fleming issued a warning after Georgia Brooke was fatally strangled or "choked" by her boyfriend, Luke Cannon, during sex. Mr Cannon was himself found dead the following day. The coroner described the practice of choking as "dangerous" and said "it all too often ends in fatal consequences". Georgia Brooke was twenty-six when she died in 2022. In his conclusion, Mr Fleming said that while there was no evidence that her boyfriend had intended to kill his girlfriend during the incident, he had used "excessive" force. Anita speaks to Fiona Mackenzie, the leader of the We Can't Consent to This campaign which was formed as a response to the increasing number of women and girls killed and injured in violence that is claimed to be consensual.

16-year-old Eleanor Shenderey from North Yorkshire has gone viral on social media after posting herself wearing handmade historical outfits. From the Tudors and the Victorians to the TV show Bridgerton, she has been inspired to make over 300 dresses - some of which have taken months to complete. Eleanor joins Anita to discuss how and why she does it.

Lottie Mills won the BBC Young Writers’ Award in 2020 for her short story, The Changeling. It will now feature in her debut book, 'Monstrum,' alongside a collection of modern fairy tales, telling the experiences of characters excluded and othered by their societies. Lottie has cerebral palsy and hopes the book will challenge the representation of disability in fiction. She talks to Anita about how growing up with a disability, she always understood herself through stories: Greek mythology and British folklore; Shakespeare’s plays and Victorian fairy tales.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rebecca Myatt Studio manager: Emma Harth

Over half of female footballers book pitches, only to find they’ve been reallocated to men. With twice as many women as men considering quitting the sport because of this, Arsenal forward and England Lioness Beth Mead tells Nuala McGovern about her concerns.

A BBC investigation published today has highlighted the concerns of parents of vulnerable children sent hours away from home for urgent eating disorder treatment. They say there isn’t enough specialist mental health hospital care available locally on the NHS and they want an end to the postcode lottery. We hear from Donna whose daughter Annie had to be based far from her family and BBC Yorkshire investigations journalist Louise Fewster also joins Nuala.

Mexican author and academic Cristina Rivera Garza has just won a Pulitzer Prize for her book about her sister, who was murdered in 1990. It’s called Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice. Cristina joins Nuala to explain why she feels she wrote it with, not about, her sister, whose name and image are now carried at demonstrations against gender violence.

How has the role of women in choral music changed? With girls as well as boys now singing in cathedral choirs and more music by female composers being commissioned and performed, women’s voices are becoming increasingly prominent. Composer Cecilia McDowell and singer Carris Jones talk about championing and celebrating women in this traditionally male world.

How many women have decided not to have more children after a traumatic birth? The UK’s first inquiry into traumatic childbirth has found that too often poor care is normalised, with devastating effects on women’s mental and physical health. Nuala McGovern talks to one Woman’s Hour listener who decided she couldn’t face having another child after a traumatic birth, and to the author of the report, Dr Kim Thomas, about its recommendations.

Journalist Decca Aitkenhead regularly sleepwalks. She talks to Nuala about her night-time escapades which include finding herself locked out in the middle of the night, eating food she’d find disgusting when awake and incredible strength that has seen her smash furniture to pieces. She’s joined by neurologist and sleep expert Prof Guy Leschziner who explains what’s going on in our brains when we sleepwalk, and how women are affected.

New analysis from the TUC, the Trades Union Congress, says that more than 1.5 million women have dropped out of the workforce because of long-term sickness. The figure marks a 48% increase compared with five years ago. Nicola Smith, Head of Economics at the TUC, tells Nuala McGovern what may be stopping women from returning to work.

Award-winning playwright and actor Lolita Chakrabarti discusses her new Radio 3 play, Calmer. All about motherhood and chaos, it follows three generations of ultra-successful women in one family - but their lives are not as ‘good’ as they appear on paper.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Olivia Skinner

A female officer in the military says she was raped by a senior officer who was responsible in the Royal Navy for behaviours and values, including sexual consent. Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Hour, the female officer, who we are calling Joanna, reported the incident and her allegations to the military police who brought charges against the officer. However, the Services Prosecution Authority later said that they wouldn’t be taking the case forward to a military court. The female officer, who feels she has been forced to leave the military, says that her career has been left in ruins, whilst his continues. The Royal Navy has said “sexual assault and other sexual offences are not tolerated in the Royal Navy and anything which falls short of the highest of standards is totally unacceptable" and that since the alleged incident they "have made significant changes to how incidents are reported and investigated." Nuala hears from Joanna and the reaction from the Conservative MP and member of the Defence Select Committee, Sarah Atherton.

Known for her dramatic and comedic roles on TV, stage and film the Olivier award-winning actor Tamsin Greig is currently performing in The Deep Blue Sea - Terence Rattigan’s 1950’s study of obsession and the destructive power of love - at the Theatre Royal Bath. She joins Nuala to explain the appeal of her latest role and why in 1952 legendary actor Peggy Ashcroft said she felt she had no clothes on when playing this part.

The singer-songwriter Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES is taking part in a new BBC Radio 6 Music initiative Change The Tune. It is an on air, digital and social media initiative to raise awareness of the impact that online abuse has on the lives of artists. She joins Nuala to discuss her experience and to talk about embarking on a solo career.

Presented by Nuala McGovern Producer: Louise Corley Studio Engineer: Bob Nettles

The number of children in care is continuing to rise each year, and thousands of new foster carers are needed. The comedian and writer Kiri Pritchard-McLean has done just that. During lockdown, Kiri and her partner embarked on a journey to become foster carers in north Wales and she’s ‘evangelical’ about the role. It’s the subject of her new seven-month comedy tour, Peacock.

The debate on assisted dying is often framed around the issues of choice for the terminally ill, but what about the rights of the disabled? Actor and disability rights campaigner Liz Carr has major concerns about potential changes to the law that she believes could leave people with disabilities at risk. She joins Clare McDonnell to discuss her documentary “Better Off Dead” which explores the debate from the perspective of disabled people.

Four girls sitting in detention on a Saturday at their local Mosque are stuck in darkness after a power outage. To pass the time, they tell Somali folktales and bond in a modern day take on The Breakfast Club. That’s the scene for Dugsi Dayz, performing now at the Royal Court Theatre. The writer and actor Sabrina Ali told Hayley Hassell all about it.

What would happen if you could only speak the truth – and not even tell white lies? That’s the subject of a new book by Radhika Sanghani, called The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie. Radhika herself hasn’t lied for two years – she told Clare why she wanted to write the book and the things she’s learnt from telling only the truth.

Singer songwriter Rachel Chinouriri is one of the music industry’s rising stars, gaining plaudits from celebrity fans, including Adele, Sophie Turner and Florence Pugh, for her nostalgic Indie sounds. Rachel talks about her first album, What A Devastating Turn Of Events, which is an intimate exploration of her experiences and relationships.

Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Annette Wells Editor: Deiniol Buxton

Five babies have died from whooping cough this year as cases continue to rise in England. Medical doctor Dr Saleyha Ahsan, who currently has whooping cough herself, joins Clare McDonnell to discuss. Author, journalist and campaigner Dame Shirley Conran has died aged 91, days after receiving her damehood. Journalist Felicia Bromfield joins Clare to discuss her legacy. What would happen if you could only speak the truth – and not even tell white lies? That’s the subject of a new book by Radhika Sanghani, called The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie. Radhika herself hasn’t lied for two years – she joins Clare to talk about why she wanted to write the book and the things she’s learnt from telling only the truth. Despite the challenges posed by the Taliban regime, economic instability, poor infrastructure, and the ongoing suppression of women's rights, foreign tourism is reportedly increasing in Afghanistan. The country's authorities have begun training hospitality professionals and assert that Afghanistan is safe for foreigners, with all visitors welcomed and treated equally, including foreign women, they say. Sascha Heeney, who has recently visited Afghanistan, and Afghan journalist Zarghuna Khargar join Clare to discuss. Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Dianne McGregor

The debate on assisted dying is often framed around the issues of choice for the terminally ill, but what about the rights of the disabled ? Actor and disability rights campaigner Liz Carr has major concerns about potential changes to the law that she believes could leave people with disabilities at risk. She joins Clare McDonnell to discuss her documentary “Better Off Dead” which explores the debate from the perspective of disabled people.

Singer songwriter Rachel Chinouriri is one of the music industry’s rising stars, gaining plaudits from celebrity fans, including Adele, Sophie Turner and Florence Pugh, for her nostalgic Indie sounds. Rachel performs live in the Woman’s Hour studio and talks about her first album, What A Devastating Turn Of Events, which is an intimate exploration of Rachel’s experiences and relationships.

Money is a topic many of us don't feel comfortable talking about. Be it in a romantic relationship, with our parents or even with our friends. But it's a topic that financial psychotherapist Vicky Reynal says is vitally important when it comes to our relationships. She joins Clare to discuss her new book, Money on Your Mind: The Psychology Behind Your Financial Habits, and how working on our financial wellbeing can help us in our lives.

The former head of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, will stand trial for sexual assault over his behaviour in the Women's World Cup game against England last summer. He gave an unsolicited kiss to player Jenni Hermoso which was caught on camera and broadcast to billions worldwide, provoking fierce backlash and a national debate over sexism in Spain. Spain based sports journalist Molly McElwee explains the reaction in Spain.

Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Olivia Skinner

Now that women’s sport is advancing, we need clear safeguarding rules for women and girls about what is and isn’t okay when it comes to talking about female health outside the realm of medicine. That’s the call from Baz Moffat, one of the co-founders of The Well HQ, which aims to break barriers in women’s sport and champion education about female health. She joins Hayley Hassell to tell us more about their new Safer Sport poster campaign and why it’s needed.

Once one of Russia's biggest pop stars, Manizha represented the country at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021. Then Russia invaded Ukraine and Manizha used her songs and her platform to share her anti-war views. Subsequently her concerts were cancelled, her music banned and Manizha's safety, both in real life and online, has been compromised. She talks to Hayley about her life and her new single Candlelight.

How do we keep children safe online? Hayley is joined by Esther Ghey and Marinna Spring to discuss Ofcom's new safety codes of practice.

Bestselling author Nadine Matheson is a criminal defence lawyer and uses her own experiences in the world of criminal law to build her stories and characters. She talks to Hayley about the new book - ‘The Kill List’ - and why there aren’t more black female detectives in crime novels.

Four girls sitting in a Mosque in detention are stuck in darkness after a power outage. To pass the time, they tell Somali folktales and bond in a modern day take on The Breakfast Club. That’s the scene for Dugsi Dayz, performing now at the Royal Court Theatre. The writer and actor Sabrina Ali joins Hayley in the Woman’s Hour to tell us more about it.

Presenter: Hayley Hassell Producer: Laura Northedge Studio Producer: Neva Missirian

What’s like to start again with nothing? On New Year's Eve of 2018, journalist Helen Chandler-Wilde lost everything she owned in a storage unit fire in Croydon, where she'd stowed all her possessions. She has written about it in the book, Lost & Found - 9 life-changing lessons about stuff from someone who lost everything. She joins Hayley Hassall to describe her experience and explain why we get so emotionally attached to our belongings.

The BBC Series I Kissed a Girl started over the weekend... it's the first UK dating show for gay women. Dannii Minogue hosts the show where ten single women are matched up with a partner to see if sparks will fly and the women will find love. In the first episode, all the women are matched with a partner and start getting to know each other. Comedian Catherine Bohart and TV critic Daisy Jones discuss.

The number of children in care is continuing to rise each year, and every year thousands of new foster carers are needed. The comedian and writer Kiri Pritchard-McLean has done just that. During lockdown, Kiri and her partner embarked on a journey to become foster carers in north Wales and she’s ‘evangelical’ about the role. It’s the subject of her new seven-month comedy tour, Peacock.

The charity Karma Nirvana has today written to the victims and safeguarding minister Laura Farris, calling for the government to introduce a statutory definition of honour abuse. The charity’s executive director Natasha Rattu explains why, alongside a woman we are calling ‘Dana’ who is a victim of this abuse, who describes her experiences and what a statutory definition would mean to her.

Presenter: Hayley Hassall Producer: Kirsty Starkey Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant