Woman's Hour

1 in 10 women of reproductive age suffer from endometriosis. A new report on the condition, just published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Endometriosis and supported by Endometriosis UK, has found that the condition is having a significant impact on women's finances and careers. Nearly half of those surveyed said they'd lost income because of their symptoms, more than a quarter had left a job. Nuala discusses the implications with the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Endometriosis Labour MP Kirsteen Sullvan and Alice Cooper who has endometriosis.
In the programme's 80th year we’re reflecting on how women’s lives have changed in the last eight decades and today Nuala digs into the Woman’s Hour archive, to find out how technological advancements have impacted women’s lives over the years. Joining Nuala to discuss Women in Tech is Zoe Kleinman, the BBC’s Technology Editor and Dr Vanessa Vallely OBE, an entrepreneur and champion of women’s visibility in the UK technology industry who has just authored the book 404: Women Not Found.
Britain may have reached "peak bedbug". Experts say infestations are on the rise, with some evidence that the insects are becoming increasingly resistant to common pesticides. It is a job that's still overwhelmingly done by men - 94% of the workforce is male. Nuala finds out more from Leah Darby, founder of Complete Bed Bug Solutions.
Why are men less concerned about climate change than women? Nuala explores the research behind the gender gap and how traditional ideas of masculinity shape environmental attitudes, with political scientist Ingvild Zinober and Tom Cornbrook from MenEngage Alliance.
Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley

A new study suggests that women going to the doctor with symptoms of auto-immune conditions are up to 74% more likely than men to be told their symptoms are psychological or psychosomatic. The research, published in the Lancet eClinicalMedicine journal, and led by the University of Cambridge and University of East Anglia, also found that women were more likely to face delays in getting a correct diagnosis, and hence the right treatment. Lead author, Dr Melanie Sloan, joins presenter Nuala McGovern.

How well do we know our mothers? The novelist Laleh Khadivi’s latest book is about a woman who discovers her dead mother had a secret Iranian revolutionary past. In ‘Female Life on Planet Earth,’ she tells the story of Heti, an Iranian mother of two teenage girls who works in an accountancy firm in Los Angeles – and whose life is upended when an anonymous parcel arrives which contains evidence that her mother had had a secret life. Laleh joins Nuala to talk about her inspiration for the book, the complexity of uncovering and sharing secrets and comparing life for women in America with that of those in Iran.

Women’s football is growing rapidly around the world, but many professional players are still dealing with low pay and insecure working conditions, according to a new survey. The players’ union FIFPRO spoke to more than 800 footballers playing in the top tier of their countries. Only 78% said they had a written contract, while just 57% said their pay was enough to cover the costs of playing football. Financial pressures and psychological stress were also among the reasons players gave for potentially leaving the game early. BBC Senior journalist Sally Freedman and former England International player Lucy Staniforth, now FIFPRO Women’s Football Officer, join Nuala to discuss.
Have you ever thought about going back to school? Older learners are more likely to have caring responsibilties, come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and also be female. We spoke to listener Sue Goldsmith and fellow recent graduate Rahat Ismail about deciding to study in later life. Sue, 71, had graduated from the University of Essex with a first in criminology, and Rahat, 53, has a first-class degree in Global Politics and International Relations from Birkbeck, University of London. They share their experiences of mature student life.

Presented by: Nuala McGovern
Produced by: Sarah Jane Griffiths

Navanetham 'Navi' Pillay, a former International Criminal Court judge and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. In a statement announcing the award, the Nobel Committee praised Pillay's 'efforts to promote peace and international law'. She is the first South African woman to receive the award, and dedicated her win to 'all the survivors of international crime'. In her first interview to be broadcast with the BBC, Navi speaks to Nuala McGovern.
How can medical misinformation harm women, and how do we combat dangerous myths? Nuala is joined by former consultant breast surgeon and cancer survivor Liz O'Riordan and Dr Rachael Kent, whose academic research focuses on the impact of digital technology on mental and physical health.
Women’s groups have called for an emergency demonstration in Glasgow this Monday evening over concerns about women’s safety, following a rise in reported sexual crimes. We speak to Nicola Love, Communications Manager for Rape Crisis Scotland which is taking part and Beth Templeton, a journalist from local news outlet The Bell.
Nigella Lawson is back on our screens as a judge on The Great British Bake Off, but something about her approach has got people talking online… it's the way she eats the cakes - taking big bites, with gusto. So why are some people commenting on a woman actively enjoying food...on a baking show? Nuala is joined by body confidence activist and author, Alex Light, and personal trainer Laura Ghiacy to discuss.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Kirsty Starkey

To mark our 80th anniversary, Woman's Hour commissioned a survey of 2,000 women across the UK to explore how women feel about using their voice in different areas of their lives. One of the questions we asked was: How many times, if any, have you felt unable to say no in a sexual encounter? Anita Rani is joined by Faustine Petron of the Make It Mandatory campaign; Ellie Softley, of the charity Everyone's Invited; and psychotherapist Dr Paula Hall of Pivotal Recovery.
To mark 80 years on air, we delve into the Woman's Hour archive, with voices including suffragette Mary Richardson from 1957, Margaret Thatcher talking about childcare in 1990 and Rose McGowan talking in 2018 on reigniting the #metoo movement.
Monica Dolan is starring in a new film, The Lost Children of Tuam. In it, she plays Catherine Corless, whose relentless pursuit of the truth helped to expose the story of hundreds of babies from an Irish mother and baby home being disposed of in a disused sewage tank. Monica joins Nuala McGovern, along with journalist Alison O’Reilly, to discuss this powerful tale of community activism.
Extreme heat affects pregnancies, newborns and maternity services around the world, according to new research. Anita speaks to Julia Gillard, Chair of Wellcome and former Prime Minister of Australia and Dr Amy Mizen, Co-Principal Investigator for the MAGENTA project, funded by Wellcome.
The Party is an ITV drama based on the acclaimed novel by Elizabeth Day and adapted by award-winning writer and actor Sarah Solemani. Elizabeth and Sarah join Kylie Pentelow to discuss this story of class, power, betrayal and secrets.
And to celebrate 80 years of Woman's Hour we asked the poet Hollie McNish to write us a birthday poem.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Kirsty McQuire

A new review into autism, ADHD and mental health provision by the NHS in England has warned there has been a substantial increase in mental health distress, particularly in young people. The review - led by leading doctors in the field - says the NHS is struggling to cope with the rising demand for services in England. So what does this mean for women and girls? Anita Rani is joined by Professor Gillian Baird, vice chair of the review.
A study has found that gender biases seen in the workplace could also be replicated in our interactions with AI. Researchers placed people in a virtual reality office and found that they allocated more money to male AI assistants than female ones, despite using the same technology. Anita is joined by Mary Hausfeld, Assistant Professor in Management at Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick, and one of the study's co-authors, to discuss the findings.
Extreme heat affects pregnancies, newborns and maternity services around the world, according to new research. In a survey of 1,000 maternal healthcare professionals across the UK, Australia, India, Brazil and Zimbabwe, nearly three-quarters said they had seen an increase in heat-related complications affecting pregnant women over the past five years. Anita speaks to Julia Gillard, Chair of Wellcome and former Prime Minister of Australia and Dr Amy Mizen, Co-Principal Investigator for the MAGENTA project, funded by Wellcome.
As part of our series 'When My Body Surprised Me' listener Katharine talks about how after a mastectomy and emergency surgery, her body amazed her by not only recovering but going on to achieve a multitude of incredible feats, including a black belt in karate.
The latest series of Celebrity Traitors may only be a few episodes in but it’s already making the headlines - for its fashion. Claudia Winkleman’s style choices have always been a talking point, but it seems that this year all the Celebrities - the broadcaster and entrepreneur Maya Jama, mathematician Hannah Fry, actors Myha'la and Miranda Hart, the model Jerry Hall amongst others - are taking their fashion to another level. Are they using their fashion choices as part of their game playing? Anita speaks to Ella Alexander, a fashion journalist and author.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt