Main content

Going grey; Jo Swinson; miscarriage

Is going grey a feminist issue? Jo Swinson on the Liberal Democrats. Hope for women suffering recurrent miscarriage. Myria Vassiliadou on human trafficking. Poet Jean Sprackland.

Is dyeing your hair a feminist issue? We discuss with fashion commentator Caryn Franklin and fashion historian Caroline Cox. We speak to Women and Equalities Minister, Jo Swinson ahead of the Liberal Democrats' autumn conference about policy and issues affecting female voters. Hope for women suffering recurrent miscarriage. Siobhan Quenby, Professor of Obstetrics at the University of Warwick tells us about their new research. Myria Vassiliadou, EU Anti-trafficking coordinator talks about moves to try and curb human trafficking and modern slavery. Poet Jean Sprackland on her latest collection, Sleeping Keys.

Available now

45 minutes

Chapters

  • Sarah Teather Stands Down

    What will be the impact of Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather's decision to stand down?

    Duration: 09:37

  • Hope For Women Suffering Recurrent Miscarriages

    Siobhan Quenby, Professor of Obstetrics at the University of Warwick explains new research

    Duration: 05:00

  • Human Trafficking

    EU Anti-trafficking coordinator talks about moves to try and curb human trafficking.

    Duration: 07:56

  • Is Dyeing Your Hair A Feminist Issue?

    Discussion with fashion commentator Caryn Franklin and fashion historian Caroline Cox.

    Duration: 09:29

  • Jean Sprackland

    Poet Jean Sprackland on her latest collection, Sleeping Keys.

    Duration: 08:49

Liberal Democratic Conference 2013

This weekend is the autumn Liberal Democrat conference in Glasgow. Jenni speaks to Women and Equalities and Minister, Jo Swinson, and Isabel Hardman from the Spectator, about the issues to be raised that affect women, the effect of the resignation of Sarah Teather’s decision to stand down in 2015 and the long term prospects for female Lib Dem MPs. With only twenty months to go until the next election could their representation in Parliament end up being all male?

Recurrent Miscarriage

A team of researchers, led by the University of Warwick, have published new data that could prove vital for advances in care for women who suffer from recurrent miscarriage.Ìý The team at Warwick Medical School found that elevated uterine NK (natural killer) cells in the lining of the womb indicate deficient production of steroids. Deficient steroid production in turn leads to reduced formation of fats and vitamins that are essential for pregnancy nutrition.ÌýThis study, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, is the first of its kind to provide an explanation why high levels of NK cells can cause miscarriage.

Ìý

Human Trafficking

According to EU Anti-trafficking Coordinator Myria Vassiliadou, one million people in Europe are working in conditions of slavery, and the majority of them are women and children. The two main misconceptions about victims of human trafficking are that they come mainly from Asia and Africa and that they are physically forced into human slavery. But the truth is that 50% of people trafficked in Europe are EU citizens, and the majority have been tricked into it and are unable to go home because their passports have been taken away and they are told their families will be harmed if they run away. This summer, the Scottish government’s new Criminal Justice Bill has outlined a ‘statutory aggravation’ for human trafficking, and last month ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Secretary Theresa May announced that she is going to bring in a ‘modern slavery bill’ to tighten up UK law on human trafficking. Jenni is joined by Myria Vassiliadou to discuss human trafficking and what the EU is planning to do to combat a crime that is growing.

Hair Dye – A Feminist Issue?

Platinum, silver, white – what’s wrong with a bit of grey?Ìý Should you feel guilty for regularly dousing your hair with a potion to make you blonde, black or brunette?Ìý Are you just conforming to a stereotype of how women should look?Ìý Is dyeing your hair a feminist issue? Fashion commentator Caryn Franklin and fashion historian Caroline Cox discuss.Ìý

Jean Sprackland

didn’t start to write poetry seriously until her early thirties. She published her first collection in 1997, and since then she’s won a number of awards, including the Costa Poetry award in 2007. Her latest collection is called Sleeping Keys, and in it she contemplates endings andÌýbeginnings - the end of a life, the end of a marriage, and living in a new home.

Ìý

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jenni Murray
Interviewed Guest Jo Swinson
Interviewed Guest Siobhan Quenby
Interviewed Guest Myria Vassiliadou
Interviewed Guest Caryn Franklin
Interviewed Guest Caroline Cox
Interviewed Guest Jean Sprackland
Producer Rebecca Myatt

Broadcast

  • Thu 12 Sep 2013 10:00

Follow us on Instagram

Get all the pictures, videos, behind the scenes and more from Woman’s Hour

Podcast