Woman's Hour

Laura Kuenssberg is the presenter of the BBC’s flagship political interview programme Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, having been the BBC’s political editor between 2015 and 2022. After two decades covering British politics, she joins Clare McDonnell to discuss her new book Pay Attention. It is an attempt to get underneath barely controlled chaos in Westminster, offering insights into women in political life, as well as her own experiences of being trolled and targeted.

Some economists and think tanks have warned of a difficult few years ahead after the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility pointed to weaker economic growth and continued pressure on living standards. Chancellor John Healey has argued that last week's Budget will give households some "breathing space" on the cost of living, while acknowledging that government cannot completely shield people from financial pressures. But how is this economic outlook impacting women? Clare is joined by Trinh Tu, Chief Executive of Ipsos UK, who has new polling to share exclusively with Woman's Hour; Louisa Matthews, Chief Executive of Nottingham Women's Centre, which supports women facing hardship; and Professor Sarah Marie Hall from the University of Manchester, who leads the major research project Austerity and Altered Life-Courses.

Eighteen-year-old Sofia Demetriades, a violinist, has won the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2026. She won after competing in the competition's first-ever all-female final. For her final performance she played Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto, accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. It was described by the BBC Young Musician 2026 judges as a performance 'with authority and thrilling virtuosity'. Clare is joined by musician and composer Errollyn Wallen who was one of the Judges of this year's competition.

One in three new mothers enter motherhood without the support of their own mother due to either bereavement, estrangement or illness.

Presenter: Clare McDonnell

Nearly 10 years after the Larry Nassar case exposed the abuse of hundreds of young women and girls in gymnastics in the US, are athletes any safer today? The judge who sentenced him, Rosemarie Aquilina, has spent the years since campaigning for reform and says progress has been far too slow. She argues that too many sporting organisations still prioritise medals and success over athletes' welfare. She explains her concerns to Anita Rani.

Philippa Gregory is one of the world’s bestselling historical novelists. Her books have reimagined the lives of powerful and often overlooked women from Britain’s past. She joins Nuala McGovern to discuss her latest novel, Royal Witch, which tells the story of Eleanor Cobham, an ambitious noble woman in the court of Henry V who used astrology and other "dark arts" in her attempt to gain power.

And millions of people practise yoga worldwide, and women make up the vast majority of practitioners. There is now a growing movement that wants to see yogasana recognised as an Olympic sport and this has been supported by the Indian government who are calling for its inclusion ahead of the country’s bid to host the 2036 Games. To discuss the arguments for and against this, Nuala is joined by yogsana competitor Laura McDonald and yoga teacher Divya Kohli.

Presenter: Anita Rani

Bonnie Garmus became a global publishing phenomenon when her debut novel Lessons in Chemistry was released. Set in the 1950s and 60s, the story of talented chemist Elizabeth Zott was inspired by her own experience of sexism in the workplace. It sold nine million copies, has been translated into 40 languages and turned into an Emmy-winning TV series starring Brie Larson. Now Bonnie is back with her second novel, Peck & Peck, which tells the tale of a young man whose life is turned upside down when he starts working at the world’s most prestigious poetry journal. She joins Anita Rani in the studio.

The comedian Russell Brand has been in the witness box giving evidence in his defence at the trial in which he faces three charges of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one charge of indecent assault against six women. He has denied all the charges. The allegations span 10 years from 1999 to 2009. The trial at Southwark Crown Court in London began just over two weeks ago. On Wednesday Russell Brand himself took the stand for the first time and yesterday his wife Laura gave evidence. Sima Kotecha, the BBC's Senior UK Correspondent, has been in court and speaks to Anita.

This week marks a historic shift for Britain's most famous shopping street. Cars, taxis, cyclists and several bus routes are now banned from large sections of Oxford Street in London as the first phase of a £150 million pedestrianisation project gets under way. Supporters claim the transformation will create a greener, cleaner and more accessible space, while also providing an opportunity to rethink how public spaces can better meet the safety needs of women and girls. Dr Ellie Cosgrave, Director of the Inclusive Cities Team at Publica and Professor of Inclusive Design at Chelsea College of Arts and Abigail Gaines from Make Space York and charity manager of the Friends of Rowntree Park, York join Anita to discuss.

If ghosts and witches don't send a shiver down your spine this Halloween, how about the vampiress? Bloodthirsty, seductive, sexually voracious, terrifying- and very much female. We tend to think of vampires as men, thanks to Dracula, but in fact some of the earliest depictions of vampires - and vampiric monsters - were women. To discuss monstrosity and misogyny in culture throughout the ages, Anita is joined by Professor Eleanor B Johnson from Columbia University, author of the new book, Monstrous Bitch: A History of Terrifying Women and by Dr Emily Middleton from the University of Leeds, who is involved in a new exhibition, Quite Shameless: Cultural Reflections on the Vampire.

Presenter: Anita Rani

Nearly 10 years after the Larry Nassar case exposed the abuse of hundreds of young women and girls in gymnastics in the US, are athletes any safer today? The judge who sentenced him, Rosemarie Aquilina, has spent the years since campaigning for reform and says progress has been far too slow. She argues that too many sporting organisations still prioritise medals and success over athletes' welfare. She explains her concerns to Anita Rani, along with Claire Heafford, the chief executive of Gymnasts for Change, who analyses the progress made by British Gymnastics.

What might the Budget mean for household bills, childcare costs or pensions? And will the measures announced by Chancellor John Healey on Wednesday make a meaningful difference to women’s finances? Daniella Jenkins, Executive Director of independent think tank the Women's Budget Group, gives her reaction.

Last week on the programme, we spoke about Menopause Action Plans, which every organisation with over 250 employees will have to adopt by April 2027. They have come after a groundswell of campaigning and awareness-raising on how the symptoms of the menopause can affect women in the workplace, and could be mitigated by employers. However some of the research used to support this approach has been disputed and so we are digging into what we do know about this topic with two leading menopause experts. Endocrinologist Professor Susan Davis, head of the Women’s Health Research Program at Monash University in Australia, and the clinical psychologist Professor Aimee Spector who runs the Menopause Mind Lab at University College London, discuss. 

Grace Savage is an actor, electronic-pop singer-songwriter and a four-time UK Beatbox Champion. Hailing from Devon, she has carved out a space in the music industry by blending electronic pop with her vocal percussion skills. She won the title of UK Female Beatbox Champion twice and made history as part of the first female duo to win the UK Team Beatbox Championship twice. Now she’s passing on those skills by starting the Savage Sounds Beatbox School. Grace explains how she is helping women overcome self-consciousness and build confidence while using their voices.

PRESENTER: Anita Rani

The government has been consulting on its plans to tackle pay discrimination. The Equality and Human Rights Commission wants a ban on employers asking candidates about their salary history, or how much they expect to be paid, during an interview. Penny East, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for gender equality and women's rights, responds to the proposals.

Millions of people practise yoga worldwide, and women make up the vast majority of practitioners. There is now a growing movement that wants to see yogasana recognised as an Olympic sport and this has been supported by the Indian government who are calling for its inclusion ahead of the country’s bid to host the 2036 Games. To discuss the arguments for and against this, Nuala is joined by yogsana competitor Laura McDonald, yoga teacher Divya Kohli and Suzanne Newcombe, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at the Open University.

Earlier this year in Iran, 21-year-old Taraneh Rahimi was sentenced to death, while her twin sister, Romina, received a 25-year prison sentence. According to Iran Human Rights, at least twenty-three women have been executed in Iran this year. UN experts have called on Iran to halt executions as they say they are being used to silence dissent. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, Director of Iran Human Rights, joins Nuala to discuss.

What do carnations, brambles, mallows and myrtle have in common? They are associated with the work of Kate Faulkner, a designer for Morris & Co., the company founded by William Morris. Kate's overlooked contribution is now being celebrated in the exhibition A Call to Art: William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. Nuala speaks to the exhibition's Senior Curatorial Adviser, Karen Livingstone.

Thirty years after Tomb Raider first launched, Lara Croft remains one of gaming's most recognisable characters. Writer and game designer Cara Ellison and superfan Amy Dyson discuss her impact and legacy.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern

According to the White House, Melania Trump has taken on an unexpected diplomatic role. It's been reported that she helped to broker a temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The agreement, due to come into effect today, is intended to allow humanitarian aid into the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky and enable civilians to leave. But how did Melania Trump become involved? Why has she been sucessful and what does this tell us about the influence a First Lady can have on world affairs? Nuala McGovern is joined by Victoria Vdovychenko from the University of Cambridge's Centre for Geopolitics, and Anne McElvoy from Politico.

Philippa Gregory is one of the world’s bestselling historical novelists. Her books have reimagined the lives of powerful and often overlooked women from Britain’s past. She joins Nuala to discuss her latest novel, Royal Witch, which tells the story of Eleanor Cobham, an ambitious noble woman in the court of Henry V who used astrology and other "dark arts" in her attempt to gain power.

Twenty years after the release of Back to Black, Amy Winehouse's era-defining album continues to resonate. A five-time Grammy winner, it produced five hit singles and established Amy as one of the most distinctive voices of her generation. Dr Lucy O'Brien, author of She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music, and journalist and music critic Jude Rogers discuss the album’s lasting impact and celebrate Amy's enduring legacy.

How is iron deficiency diagnosed in the UK? And what impact do the effects of pregnancy, menstruation, and inflammatory conditions have? Nuala is joined by Dr Aziza Sesay, a GP who specialises in women's health and by BBC News reporter Zara Salaria, who has been looking into whether social media videos about "Ferritin face" have any scientific basis.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern

Comedian Katherine Ryan’s new memoir explores the impact being a Firstborn Daughter has had on her approach to life. From becoming the family’s ‘Head of Emotional Operations’ at a young age, to her thoughts on marriage, motherhood, fertility and facelifts, Katherine joins Anita to discuss her take on what it means to be woman in modern society.

New research has found that female scientists are 'largely absent' from exam boards’ compulsory learning material for GCSE pupils. The study by the University of Cambridge found only one of 86 scientists featured in the main Key Stage 4 exam specifications for science, was a woman – Rosalind Franklin - she did ground-breaking work on DNA. Skyla White is one of the researchers on the study.

There has been a rise in demand for the shingles vaccine, and this may be because recent studies suggest it could reduce the risk of dementia. Women are at greater risk of developing dementia in their lifetime, and around twice as many women as men have Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia. Nuala hears from two women, Eva and Sally, who are getting the shingles vaccine this winter, in part because of a family history of dementia, and from Lucy Devendra, Head of Research at Alzheimer's Society.

Author Helen Fielding is launching a competition to find new comedy writers from the North of England. The Bridget Jones Prize will be managed by Newcastle-based writing charity New Writing North. From Yorkshire herself, Helen is looking for first-person stand-alone prose, not unlike the diary entries of her fictional heroine, first published anonymously in The Independent newspaper in 1995. Helen explains why she wants more to be made of the northern humour she grew up with.

It was World Menopause Day yesterday, the last before employers of more than 250 people in England, Scotland and Wales are mandated to have a Menopause Action Plan in place. This new legal duty begins in April 2027. What does it actually mean and how will it be enforced? Nuala McGovern is joined by the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson.

Presenter: Anita Rani

For decades, Delia Smith taught us how to cook with confidence through her bestselling books and popular television programmes. She sold more than 20 million books, such was her influence that ingredients and kitchen utensils she featured would often sell out, a phenomenon that became known as the Delia Effect.

New analysis that has found inequalities in breast cancer diagnosis. Women in England from ethnic minority backgrounds alongside those from deprived backgrounds are almost a third less likely to have the disease detected through routine screening. They are more likely to be diagnosed after an urgent referral or emergency admission. The research was funded by the charity Breast Cancer Now. Nuala discusses with Dr Robert Kerrison, co-author of the study and co-lead for cancer care at the University of Surrey.

First Chance, a new initiative encouraging major employers to offer more opportunities to young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Jenny Hall from Royal Mail, one of the first employers to sign up, joins Nuala, along with Katharine Sacks-Jones from Young Women’s Trust, to discuss the particular barriers facing young women.

Rachel Newton is an award-winning Scottish harpist and singer, named BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year in 2017. Known for blending traditional and contemporary folk music, she performs on both acoustic and electric harp and is a member of the acclaimed Spell Songs collective. Rachel performs her song A Life Begun from the album In Thin Air, and explains how it gained new personal meaning following her experience of Pregnancy Associated Osteoporosis after the birth of her child.

Presented by Nuala McGovern

Raye has just won the Mercury Prize 2026 with her album This Music May Contain Hope. Anita Rani talks to music journalist Sophie Williams, who was one of the judges this year.

New figures from the Care Quality Commission show children and young people are being hit hardest by delays in the NHS. Anita is joined by Dr Ronny Cheung, Consultant Paediatricition and officer for Health Services at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Comedian Katherine Ryan’s new memoir explores the impact being a Firstborn Daughter has had on her approach to life. From becoming the family’s ‘Head of Emotional Operations’ at a young age, to her thoughts on marriage, motherhood, fertility and facelifts, Katherine joins Anita to discuss her take on what it means to be woman in modern society.

Spoken language will be given equal status with reading and writing in an updated curriculum and assessment for schools, the Education Secretary has announced. Anita speaks to Becca Dean, founder of The Girls Network, and poet Kirsty Taylor to discuss what effect this policy will have on girls' ability to speak up for themselves.

Presenter: Anita Rani

When the writer E L James first self-published Fifty Shades of Grey as an e-book in 2011, she had no idea that her erotic novel would go on to become a publishing phenomenon. Since then, Erika has written eight bestsellers, sold more than 150 million books, and produced three Fifty Shades film adaptations. Few contemporary writers can claim to have changed the conversation around women, sex and popular romance quite so much. E L James has a new novel out – and it’s entirely different to what has gone before. A paranormal romance called Land of Ghosts, the main character is a 17-year old girl. E L James joins Anita Rani to talk about her stellar career and how despite enormous success, she loves anonymity.

The government has announced that pregnant workers and new mothers will have stronger safeguards to protect them from unfair dismissal. From October 2027, employers must consider all reasonable alternatives to dismissal before pursuing it. This comes as part of the Employment Rights Act, and protections will also be extended to employees taking adoption leave, shared parental leave, neonatal care leave and bereaved partner’s paternity leave. Anita speaks to the Minister for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden.

The comedian Russell Brand is in court facing three charges of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one charge of indecent assault against six women – he denies all charges. The allegations span 10 years from 1999 to 2009. He has said he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. The trial at Southwark Crown Court in London began last week on 14th October. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty has been covering the trial and is the BBC presenter of the podcast Fame Under Fire: The Russell Brand Trial. This discussion contains graphic sexual references.

New research has found that female scientists are 'largely absent' from exam boards’ compulsory learning material for GCSE pupils. The study by the University of Cambridge found only one of 86 scientists featured in the main Key Stage 4 exam specifications for science, was a woman – Rosalind Franklin - she did ground-breaking work on DNA. Skyla White is one of the researchers on the study.

Award-winning Irish comedian, writer and actor Catherine Bohart is a debating champion, an Edinburgh Festival favourite, and a familiar face on television, with appearances on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, QI and LOL: Last One Laughing Ireland. Also a regular voice on BBC Radio 4, her credits include The Now Show, The News Quiz and her own six-part topical series, Too Long; Didn’t Read. She joins Anita to talk about her latest stand-up show, Borrowing Trouble.