In this edition, we report on the trial that’s made headlines in France and across the world. Dominique Pelicot, 71, has admitted to recruiting dozens of strangers online to rape his wife, after drugging her with sleeping pills. Investigators have counted some 200 instances of rape with more than 70 alleged abusers, over almost a decade. The case also highlights the issue of drug-facilitated sexual assaults. Also, how far has the advertising industry actually progressed since the days of "Mad Men"? Annette Young talks to creative copywriter, Claudia Illan, who’s also a Paris jury for the Gerety Awards which are renowned for championing the power of the female lens. 

In this special edition to mark the beginning of a new season, we're focusing on the plight of Afghan and Iranian women. It's been three years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan and thus erasing women from all forms of public life. It's also two years since the death of Mahsa Amini, who was killed while in detention by the Iranian morality police for seemingly showing too much hair under her veil. Her death prompting the biggest protest movement in Iran since the 1979 revolution. Annette Young is joined by Afghan-Canadian journalist, Zahra Nader and Iranian human rights researcher, Mahsa Alimardani, as they discuss the failure of the international community to stand up to both regimes on women's rights.

The French capital is hosting the 2024 Olympic Games and its organisers say they are the first in history where women and men will be equally represented. But do these Games deserve a gold medal for parity? Annette Young asks former French Olympic champion and sports minister, Roxana Maracineanu, as to what she thinks. We also look at why so much of women's sportswear is seen to be sexist and the complicated issue of participation for transgender athletes.

How domestic abuse goes way beyond physical violence; and how men use money as a form of coercive control over their partners. Also, Japanese authorities crack down on so-called 'host bars' which take advantage of female customers by forcing those who owe money to turn to prostitution or provide sexual services. Plus, how in the streets of the Somalia capital, Mogadishu, women are taking on a very public role; that is directing traffic. 

As Pakistan confronts a series of crippling heatwaves, it is pregnant women and newborns who suffer the most. As a result, its midwives have found themselves on the frontline of climate change. Also, as Saudi Arabia declares rights for women in the country has improved considerably, one activist who promoted gender equality in her social media posts, is now in jail. Annette Young talks to Bissan Fakih from Amnesty International about her plight. Plus, the tale of Alice Milliat, the little-known French woman who established the first-ever women's Olympics in Paris in 1922.   

We meet the Indian women campaigning to criminalise marital rape following the adoption of a new penal code which still does not prosecute husbands who rape their wives. A new report reveals how family laws in many African countries reinforce discrimination against women and girls. Annette Young talks to Esther Waweru, a senior legal adviser from Equality Now which authored the study. Plus how Moroccan women are bringing new and inclusive energy to the centuries-old art of Gnaoua, a spiritual musical genre traditionally reserved for men. 

Annette Young talks to Lebanese journalist and author, Dalal Mawad, whose book 'All She Lost' focuses on the horrific explosion in Beirut four years ago, and its impact on women. They speak about the myth of resilience among the Lebanese population as the country faces the risk of yet another war due to escalating tensions between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Also the Philippines, the only nation other than the Vatican where divorce is banned, takes its first step towards legalising the procedure.

As the far-right National Rally party works hard to win votes from French women in this month's parliamentary elections, feminist groups accuse it of using women's rights in order to advance their agenda. To discuss what's at stake with women's rights in these French elections, Annette Young talks to Paris-based feminist journalist, Megan Clement. Plus the women taking to the stage in one of Japan's ancient forms of theatre, a domain still very much dominated by men.

There is much anger among Catholic feminists over comments made by Pope Francis where he ruled out the possibility of women serving as ordained deacons or as members of the clergy. Also as polls continue to suggest that support for abortion rights is growing in the US, what impact is this having on the presidential election campaign? Annette Young talks to Amanda Becker, the Washington correspondent for The 19th News website and now an author of a book on the battle for reproductive rights. Plus we meet the first Black South African woman to own and conduct an all-Black orchestra.

Among policymakers and business leaders, little attention appears to have been paid to one of the fastest-growing demographics; women who are choosing not to have children. Annette Young talks to Dr Caroline Magennis who's written a manifesto for childfree women. Also Claudia Sheinbaum becomes Mexico's first-ever female president. But the scientist and former Mexico City mayor is facing a host of challenges as the country reels from spiralling violence with drug cartels battling for influence. Plus we meet a rare breed. The French women deep sea divers who are plunging to new depths and breaking barriers as a result.