Woman's Hour Folgen

In the latest in our series of Family Secrets a listener called Helen got in touch to tell us about the discovery she made after the death of her mother and the suicide pact she kept quiet about for nearly forty years. Last week’s budget saw a series of big public spending and investment projects announced. These focused on physical infrastructure. But what of social infrastructure – the investment in people who staff social care and the support for women in and out of work as the country faces the enormous challenge of Covid 19. Jenni speaks to Professor Diane Elson of the Women’s Budget Group and Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director of Age UK.Curator, writer and lecturer Bolanle Tajudeen is the founder of Black Blossoms, a platform dedicated to spotlighting black women and black non-binary visual artists. Jenni met Bolanle recently at the Women of the World 10th anniversary festival. How has black feminism influenced the work of black female fine art artists and why do they struggle to get a platform for their work.Diana Nammi grew up in the Kurdish region of Iran in the 1960s and 1970s, playing her own part in the revolution of 1979. At the age of 17, under the new Islamic regime, she became a Pershmerga, Kurdish fighter. Twelve years on the frontline, she discusses her book ‘Girl with a Gun’.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty StarkeyInterviewed Guest: Carolyn Abrahams Interviewed Guest: Diane Elson Interviewed Guest: Bolanle Tajudeen Reporter: Jo Morris Interviewed Guest: Diana Nammi

We consider the latest advice for pregnant women when it comes to coronavirus. Jane speaks to Jess Brammer, editor in chief HuffPost UK, who is currently on maternity leave and Dr Mary Ross-Davie - Director for Scotland, Royal College of Midwives. And in other coronavirus news: many offices, shops, bars, restaurants, schools, are likely to close. Many workers and businesses will see their income collapse, almost overnight. So what if you are laid off? What if you are self-employed? What financial decisions should you be making? What support could you be entitled to?Glenda Jackson plays the poet, writer and critic Edith Sitwell in Radio 4 drama Edith Sitwell in Scarborough. She joins Jane to discuss Edith, as well as being on grandma duty and what books she would recommend during a period of isolation. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on a Bill to reform the Gender Recognition Act. Jane talks to Rhona Hotchkiss, former governor of Cornton Vale prison in Stirling and signatory of SNP women’s pledge and James Morton, Manager of the Scottish Trans Alliance about concerns for protecting trans rights and women’s rights and how any Scottish legislation will sit with the UK Equality Act 2010. Presenter: Jane Garvey Interviewed guest: Dr Mary Ross-Davie Interviewed guest: Jess Brammer Interviewed guest: Jasmine Birtles Interviewed guest: Glenda Jackson Interviewed guest: Rhona Hotchkiss Interviewed guest: James Morton Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

Jane Garvey takes your calls on Covid-19. Joined by Psychologist Laverne Antrobus and Sarah Stewart Brown Professor of Public Health at Warwick University .What measures are you putting in place? How will you manage with young as well as older children, do you face particular problems with those that have special needs. What about work ? If you are someone who can work at home do you have the tech to support that.Have you thought about setting up a local neighbourhood support network? What provisions are you putting in place for older relatives? How do you think you will cope with being socially isolated ? If you’re in cramped accommodation or shared housing, how do you see that working out.What about the financial implications - if you’re on low income or a zero hours contract and perhaps rely on things like free school meals We'd love to hear your thoughts. Lines open at 8am on Monday morning 03700 100 444. You can email via the website or tweet your comments @bbcwomanshour now.Presenter Jane Garvey Producer Beverley PurcellGuest; Prof Sarah Stewart Brown Guest; Lavern Antrobus