The news of big gains for Democrats in the US midterm elections has included some historic wins for women - Texas has its first female Hispanic governor, Georgia its first black woman governor and Minnesota its first female Native American senator. We’ll be discussing this and other wins and losses and what it means for women. A woman who provided round-the-clock care for her elderly mother has been awarded £127,500 from her estate following years of legal proceedings. Bernadette Rogers was prosecuted for theft and fraud after withdrawing £100,000 from her mother's estate but was subsequently acquitted. She joins Clare McDonnell alongside specialist solicitor Laura Stone to discuss her experience and the wider implications of a potentially landmark ruling for family carers.American jazz harpist, composer, and educator Brandee Younger is redefining the instrument, fusing classical traditions with jazz, soul, R&B, hip-hop and funk. She has performed with the likes of Lauryn Hill and John Legend, while her composition Hortense featured in Beyoncé's Homecoming documentary. In 2022, she became the first black woman nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition, for her piece Beautiful Is Black. Early next year, Brandee will bring her unique musical vision to the new Blue Note London. She joins Clare to discuss her sound and latest album, Gadabout Season.Vinita Marwaha Madill is a British space engineer and founder of Rocket Women. Her career includes designing spacesuits at the European Space Agency's European Astronaut Centre and leading lunar exploration missions at Mission Control Space Services in Canada. Clare speaks to Vinita on National Engineering Day.

Bestselling American author Jodi Picoult has sold 60 million copies of her novels worldwide, including My Sister's Keeper, Small Great Things and Nineteen Minutes. As Jodi publishes her 30th book, Hollow Bones, she joins Clare McDonnell in the studio to discuss its key themes, including why she wanted to explore the topic of women's maternal health and also set her latest work in the 25th anniversary year of 9/11.Holly Newton was just 15 when she was stabbed to death in an alleyway in Hexham in January 2023 by her ex-boyfriend Logan MacPhail. Police recorded her murder as knife crime because the law does not recognise those under the age of 16 as victims of domestic violence. Since her death, Holly's parents Micala and Lee Trussler have been campaigning to change that and now the government has told them it plans to create a new law defining teenage abusive relationships because of their work. Clare speaks to Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs and Dee Kehoe, Refuge’s Programme Director for Prevention and former CEO of Let Me Know, an education charity working with young people to prevent relationship abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. People having plastic surgery or other cosmetic procedures should be screened for Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or BDD, according to new guidance from NICE, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. BDD is a mental health condition that causes people to become preoccupied with a perceived flaw, often not noticeable to others. Plastic surgeon Dr Marc Pacifico and BDD specialist psychologist Dr Amita Jassi join us to discuss the guidance. Award-winning chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Ruth Rogers is one of the most influential figures in British food. In 1987 she co-founded London’s River Café with her close friend and business partner Rose Gray, helping to launch the careers of some of Britain’s best-known chefs, including Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Her podcast Ruthie’s Table 4, named after the River Café table traditionally reserved for her guests, has featured interviewees such as Tracey Emin, Kamala Harris, Dame Judi Dench and Sarah Jessica Parker. As the podcast returns for its sixth series, Ruth joins Clare to discuss her career and what keeps artists, actors, musicians and world leaders coming back to her restaurant. Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Sarah Jane Griffiths

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. That figure comes from research from the charity Motherless Mothers who raising awareness of the impact of this loss through its Unmuted campaign. Of the women they spoke to they say most experienced the impact of maternal absence weekly, with nearly 90 percent saying it often leaves them feeling alone. Kennedy Frampton, a mother of two girls and Adina Belloli, a psychotherapist and co-founder of the charity join Clare to discuss. Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Dianne McGregor

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 Producer: Mora Morrison

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 Producer: Simon Richardson

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 PRODUCER: Melanie Abbott

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 Producer: Dianne McGregor

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 Producer: Helen Fitzhenry

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 Producer: Simon Richardson

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. In her latest book, Us: Nine Ingredients to Change Our World, she argues that party politics and top-down leadership are no longer working and calls for a different approach that puts people at the heart of politics. She explores what it means to be human through themes including democracy, climate responsibility and the importance of community.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 Producer: Louise Corley

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. Anna Byrne is a women's health journalist who recently went viral on Instagram for her song A Musical Guide to Perimenopause which explores the complex, and sometime frustrating, symptoms many perimenopausal women face. The video has had more than eight million views, and Anna tells Anita how she is on a mission to 'write a hormonal song a day'. Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Corinna Jones

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 to talk about her stellar career and how despite enormous success, she loves anonymity.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.

A government review into antisemitism in schools and colleges in England will publish its recommendations today. The report from former Ofsted inspector Sir David Bell makes 27 recommendations to help schools tackle antisemitism. The review found that three out of five Jewish children had experienced prejudice at school and that leaders in some Jewish schools were spending more time on security than on education. Nuala hears from the BBC's Special Correspondent Judith Moritz, who has been covering the story, and writer and broadcaster Angela Epstein, host of the Jewish Mother Me podcast, who has spoken about Jewish identity and raising children in Britain.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.BAFTA-nominated Lolly Adefope reprises her role as Kitty, the endearingly innocent Georgian noblewoman, in the film Ghosts: The Possession of Button House. She's also making her West End debut as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary!, the Olivier Award-winning play. Set in 1865, the dark comedy imagines the former First Lady of the United States, wife of then-President Abraham Lincoln, as a frustrated cabaret performer trapped in the gilded cage of the White House. Lolly joins Nuala to discuss resurrecting Kitty and taking on the mantle of Mary.Women's health businesses, such as those in the fem tech sector, can face barriers to accessing financial and commercial services, including banking, insurance, payment processing and e-commerce platforms, according to advocacy organisation CensHERship. Today, the group is launching a new accreditation initiative called FemTick, aimed at recognising organisations that support the growth of the women's health sector. Nuala hears from one of CensHERship's co-founders, Clio Wood, and BBC Senior Reporter Ashitha Nagesh, who has been hearing from women's health creators who say their content has been removed, filtered or suppressed online, a practice known as shadowbanning.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Dianne McGregor

Campaigners deliver a petition to Downing Street calling for parents of children with SEND to be exempt from being fined if their children miss school. Currently they risk a criminal record and possible jail sentence if the child is off school three or more times within the same period. Alex Stafford, a Senior Solicitor from IPSEA, an independent provider of special education advice, joins Nuala McGovern to discuss the impact on parents. 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.The British and Irish Lions Rugby Union team will play a historic first ever women's fixture when they face France at Cardiff's Principality Stadium next August, ahead of their 2027 tour to New Zealand in September. It will bring together leading players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales and will see the team play five matches in New Zealand, including three Test matches against the six-time world champion Black Ferns. Nuala is joined by Maggie Alphonsi - England Rugby World Cup winner - and Ruby Tui, New Zealand Rugby World Cup winner and Olympic Gold medallist, who are both ambassadors for this first women’s tour.A new survey for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Bitesize of over 2,000 young people across the UK helps to build a picture of teenage girls in Britain in 2026 and indicates how their lives differ from the experience of boys.  A broadcast live from Newcastle upon Tyne on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Bitesize will bring together an audience of 50 teenagers for the 2026 BBC Teen Summit to discuss teenagers' concerns about their future job prospects, the growing influence of AI, and the impact of online life. BBC Radio 5 Live and Woman’s Hour presenter Clare McDonnell explains the findings.We’ll be celebrating the creativity of children behind the camera to mark the opening of a new exhibition in London: Snap Happy! How Children Became Photographers.  It looks back at the photos children have been taking since the Victorian era. The Cottingley Fairies were the most famous but curator Annebella Pollen has found other examples. She joins us along with photographer Lillian Spibey.PRESENTER: Nuala McGovern PRODUCER: Melanie Abbott

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. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s revival of Phyllida Lloyd’s all-female Julius Caesar set in a woman’s prison, which originally ran at the Donmar Warehouse in 2012, is now touring secondary schools. Female prisoners from HMP New Hall in Wakefield and their resident drama group have worked alongside the production. Dame Harriet Walter, who plays Brutus, and Rachel Frank, a criminal justice associate, discuss their collaboration and what the young people and the women from the prison gain from the experience.For decades married couples have feared the seven-year itch. But the latest divorce statistics for England and Wales show opposite sex couples are now more likely to get divorced after 20 years of marriage. Just over a quarter of divorces last year happened after two decades - or more - of marriage, according to the Office for National statistics. Nuala speaks to break up and divorce coach, Sara Davison, to find out what's behind this trend and the implications for women.What if, for half of every month, you felt like a different person? That's the reality for many women living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or PMDD. Laura Elizabeth Woollett is author of Hell Days, which blends her personal experience of the condition with research and cultural analysis. Dr Georgina Standen is, a GP and PMDD specialist on what latest research tells us about the condition and what treatments are available.Presented by Nuala McGovern Producer: Louise Corley

Navanetham 'Navi' Pillay, a former International Criminal Court judge and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. She is the 21st female to win the award, and the first South African woman. Navi speaks to Nuala McGovern.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. Nuala talks to 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 and author of book 404: Women Not Found.Esmée Gummer recently completed her own Guinness World Record challenge, having run between every city in the UK, hosting free 5km clubs in each. An incredible achievement because when she was aged 18, Esmée woke up paralysed following complications during surgery - and she had to relearn how to walk and eventually run. Esmee tells Anita Rani about her passion to encourage people to connect through running, not racing.How well do we know our mothers? The novelist Laleh Khadivi’s latest book Female Life on Planet Earth is about a woman who discovers her dead mother had a secret Iranian revolutionary past. Laleh joins Nuala to talk about her inspiration for the book. Caroline Hirons has built a career in the beauty industry spanning more than three decades, from working on skincare counters to becoming a bestselling author, social media personality and founder of her own skincare brand. Now she's published a new book, Skin Rules, and joins Anita in the studio.Nigella Lawson is back on our screens as a judge on The Great British Bake Off but has hit the headlines for taking big bites. 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.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Corinna Jones

Last night, architects gathered to celebrate some of Britain’s most acclaimed buildings as the RIBA Stirling Prize marked its 30th anniversary. The prize is considered the UK’s most prestigious award for architecture and recognises a building that has made a significant contribution to the evolution of the built environment. And at last night’s anniversary ceremony, Lion Green Road, a council-commissioned housing scheme in Coulsdon, South London, was declared the winner. It was designed by Mary Duggan Architects and delivered by the practice Ruff Architects. Mary Duggan joins Anita Rani in the studio.New NHS England guidance says trans patients should be cared for on single-sex hospital wards or bays that align with their biological sex rather than their gender identity. The BBC's Social Affairs Editor Alison Holt joins Anita to explain the guidance.Social media has lit up in recent days after comedian Shane Gillis made a controversial joke on the US show Saturday Night Live. In his opening monologue, Gillis said he “didn’t know women just dress like whores now” at the gym. There was an immediate backlash, particularly from women online, from gym goers and athletes to celebrities, calling his comments misogynistic, even dangerous towards women. But many have chosen to see the funny side, poking fun at Gillis as a means of fighting back. Comedian Rachel Parris and Lifestyle Editor at The Metro, Kristina Beanland, give us their reaction.Have you ever stood at the skincare counter and felt baffled at the vast array of options? Caroline Hirons has made it her mission to help. She's built a career in the beauty industry spanning more than three decades, from working on skincare counters to becoming a bestselling author, social media personality and founder of her own skincare brand, Skin Rocks. She's attracted a large following for her outspoken views on skincare products, beauty trends and the cosmetics industry. Now she's published a new book, Skin Rules, offering advice on navigating the increasingly crowded skincare market. Caroline joins Anita in the studio.This month sees Britten Sinfonia, Ancient Greek Meze tour- the story of three powerful women of Greek myth through music. The event marks 50 years since the death of composer Benjamin Britten, with the Britten Sinfonia and stand-up classicist Natalie Haynes, alongside the sublime mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, who is the soloist in his late micro-opera Phaedra. Helen joins Anita to discuss these mythical women. Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Simon Richardson

An estimated three million deepfake images were non-consensually requested from Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok around Christmas of last year, mostly of women and children. Since then, UK investigations have been unable to find or charge any of the users who made those requests. Jess Davies, a presenter targeted by this image abuse, reported it to the police at the time but is now pursuing her own civil action. She joins Anita Rani, alongside BBC Technology reporter Laura Cress, to discuss the developments.After more headlines today about shortages of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), clinicians are urging women to seek advice if their medication has been affected. The warning follows official confirmation from the Department of Health that supplies of major HRT patch brands have been disrupted. Anita is joined by Dr Paula Briggs, Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health at Liverpool Woman’s NHS Foundation Trust, and Roisin Hillman, co-founder of Menopause Together, the first menopause charity in Northern Ireland.Shabana Basij-Rasikh is a leading advocate for girls' education in Afghanistan. In 2001, when she was still a teenager, she co-founded a boarding school in Kabul called the School of Leadership (SOLA) to enable girls to learn. Last month Shabana was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 world’s most influential rising stars. She joins Anita to talk about her campaigning career and decision to create a post-graduate scholarship for a woman like her to attend the University of Oxford. Esmée Gummer recently completed her own Guinness World Record challenge, having run between every city in the UK, hosting free 5km clubs in each. An incredible achievement because when she was aged 18, Esmée woke up paralysed following complications during surgery - and she had to re-learn how to walk, and eventually run. Esmée didn't want to make the challenge just about her own achievement, so the record is for the most amount of run clubs held in different cities and those who attended any can apply for a certificate. Esmee tells Anita about her passion to encourage people to connect through running, not racing.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rebecca Myatt

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 Hornbrook 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. Often described as "butterfly skin", Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is the name for a group of rare genetic conditions that leave the skin so fragile it can blister and tear at the lightest touch. Emma Fogarty lives with a severe life-limiting form of the condition. She is currently the longest living person with her form of EB in Ireland. Her story, along with her friendship with the actor Colin Farrell, is told in a new HBO documentary film, The Slightest Touch, which has premiered at the London Film Festival. 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. Presented by: Nuala McGovern Produced by: Sarah Jane Griffiths