The Conversation

Outwit and betray: a reality TV survival guide

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What's it like to compete for life-changing amounts of money on national television while cut off from the outside world? Ella Al-Shamahi meets two wo...

Women and the fight to end homelessness

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What’s women’s experience of homelessness across Europe? In Finland it's on the decrease, but in Portugal it's rising. Datshiane Navanayagam speak...

The trailblazing women of the Dakar Rally

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The infamous Dakar race (formerly known as Paris-Dakar) is a gruelling off-road endurance rally. Since its inception in 1978, there has only been one ...

Women tackling substance abuse

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beatriz de La Pava Hucke talks to two women committed to reducing the stigma and harm caused by drug addiction and tackling the damage done by the ill...

Planet of the puppeteers

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two women about the magic of storytelling through puppetry. From the moment she played the part of a clock in a sc...

Women inventors

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Datshiane Navanayagam meets two engineers who want more women to become inventors. Roma Agrawal is best known for her work on The Shard, the UK’s t...

Finding love after divorce

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Datshiane Navanayagam meets two women who use what they learnt from their own divorce to help others heal. Sara Davison, also known as The Divorce Coa...

Women at the Oscars

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Datshiane Navanayagam meets two Oscars nominated directors who put women at the centre of their movies.Nazrin Choudhury is a British filmmaker of Bang...

Women documenting climate change in pictures

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beatriz De La Pava Hucke talks to two women telling the stories of communities threatened by the environmental impact of rising seas, flood damage and...

Saw, chisel and hammer: Women in carpentry

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Angela Cacace moved into her new house, she decided to teach herself how to renovate it. Angela is now running her own company, A.Marie Design Bu...

Cookbook queens

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beatriz De La Pava Hucke meets two writers and chefs who explore their culture, history and identity through food. Dina Macki is a recipe developer a...

Women in wildlife filmmaking

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Datshiane Navanayagam meets two award-winning nature documentary makers. Always struggling to choose between science and art, Brazilian Angela Prochil...

Women on the frontline in the fight against malaria

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ella Al-Shamahi meets two women on the frontline in the fight against malaria. Dr Ify Aniebo is from Nigeria, the country worst hit by malaria. She is...

Losing a loved one to suicide

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This programme contains discussion of suicide and suicide attempts. If you feel affected by this topic, you could speak to a health professional or an...

How to raise a teenage boy

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sana Safi meets two parenting experts who help women navigate their relationship with their teenage sons. Rosalind Wiseman is the best-selling author ...

Women fighting for justice on death row

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nelufar Hedayat meets two criminal defence lawyers who fight for people's lives on death row. Sarah Belal is a barrister and the founder of Justice Pr...

Women in love with cheese

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two women who are revolutionising the dairy industry.Mausam Narang is the founder and Head Cheesemaker at Eleftheria cheese. Sh...

Women in cybersecurity

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two cybersecurity experts who help women stay safe online. Vandana Verma Sehgal is a Security Solutions leader at Snyk and the Ch...

How going to school can change a girl’s life

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two women from Kenya and India who have established their own schools about the life-changing impact an education can have fo...

Paramedics saving lives

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two paramedics from Norway and Australia to learn about the demands and rewards of working as part of the emergency response....

100 Women: Changing how we think about our planet

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two climate change pioneers who are are on this year's BBC 100 Women list.Basima Abdulrahman is the founder and CEO of KESK, the ...

Female drummers breaking barriers

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two world-renowned drummers to find out what it takes to play professionally in the music industry.Canadian Sarah Thawer star...

The rise of women in eSports

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two professional e-sport gamers who earn their living playing online.Julia 'Bish' Robson is a prominent gamer and Twitch stre...

Can a bicycle change a woman's life?

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can a humble bicycle become a tool to empower women worldwide? Kim Chakanetsa meets two cyclists who want more women to get on their bikes.Lizzie Deig...

Women breathing new life into taxidermy

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two women who are breathing new life into the ancient practice of taxidermy, the process of preserving animal skin with fur and f...

Are dolls good for girls?

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to a psychologist and a doll maker to discuss the impact of playing with toys on the brain. Dr Lisa Dinella is an expert on how ...

Descending the depths: Freediving champions

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two freedivers from Italy and Poland about what it takes to compete and set world-records in the extreme sport.Athlete Alessi...

Women in Beirut: Facing up to the climate crisis

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The cedar tree is Lebanon’s national symbol: it can be seen everywhere, on flags, banknotes and souvenirs. But this majestic tree is under threat as...

Women living with ADHD

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) research and diagnosis has historically been male-centric, often overlooking or misdiagnosing women an...

Born into coffee

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Inheriting a family business can be a tall order. All the more so when it's a coffee business, where men have traditionally dominated the sector in m...

The secrets of being a successful music manager

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa talks to two female music managers who have made a significant impact in an often male-dominated field. Kei Henderson was the personal...

Women in charge of their financial freedom

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa talks to two entrepreneurs who teach women to be money-savvy. Arese Ugwu is a Nigerian author whose work is centred around personal fin...

Women in Beirut: Promoting women’s rights through sport

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two trailblazing athletes who help promote women’s participation in sports.Ray Bassil is the first Arab woman to compete in thr...

Women in nuclear

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A report published by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency in 2023 found that less than a quarter of the nuclear workforce are women. And when it comes to s...

Transforming lives through speech therapy

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been said that the Covid-19 lockdown had a devastating impact on children's speech development. But it also affected the support that older patie...

Conservators: Preserving the past for the future

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two women looking after remarkable historical objects and artworks. Kristiane Strætkvern is a Norwegian conservator with the N...

Women in Beirut: Telling our stories

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa talks to two Beirut-based creatives who made it their mission to tell women’s stories. Joana Hadjithomas is a Lebanese artist and ...

Women in Beirut: Rebuilding our city

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In August 2020, a devastating explosion destroyed the port of Beirut. More than 200 people lost their lives and thousands of small and medium women-ow...

How to get a good night's sleep

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The sleep economy is booming – from hi-tech sleep trackers to apps and cooling mattresses – and its worth is estimated at hundreds of billions of ...

Protecting communities from disasters

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Beatriz de la Pava talks to two women on the frontline of disaster preparation about how communities can become more resilient to natural hazards, res...

Women painting portraits

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Artists from Ukraine and the UK tell Kim Chakanetsa about how they capture someone’s personality on canvas.Laura Quinn Harris is a UK artist special...

Parenting a disabled child

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women about the joys and challenges of parenting a disabled child.Gopika Kapoor is a writer, neurodiversity consultant and...

Women writing family sagas

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two writers who, in their work, explore the themes of love, identity, belonging and inter-generational trauma. Min Jin Lee is ...

Fifty years of the Women’s Tennis Association

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tennis has a level of equality that women in other many other sports must envy, with equal prize money and media coverage at many top tournaments. Muc...

Women serving on board submarines

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women who’ve chosen a life not on the ocean wave, but under it. Chief Petty Officer Sara Ryman is currently serving on ...

Women in artificial intelligence

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we live and work. Should we accept it, or push back? Kim Chakanetsa meets two women pioneers in the field ...

Women rewiring the comedy circuit in Hollywood

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa is in the heart of Los Angeles' comedy district to meet two stand-up comedians who recently opened their own venues. Jiaoying Summers...

Women paddling treacherous water

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa hears about the awe-inspiring journeys of two white-water kayakers from the US and France, and the resilience that's kept them at the t...

Disabled women and sexual health

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In many societies there are misconceptions about disability and sex. Beatriz de la Pava meets two activists from Pakistan and Nigeria who break taboos...

Women saving art in times of crisis

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women who help save cultural heritage in areas afflicted by conflict and natural disasters.Kateryna Goncharova has a Ph.D....

Wheelchair rugby

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa talks to two Paralympic wheelchair rugby players from UK and Denmark about competing at the top level in this mixed-gender, adrenaline-...

Women making perfume

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Perfumers from Colombia and Sweden tell Kim Chakanetsa about inventing fragrances that evoke emotion and nostalgia.Adriana Medina is a Vice President ...

Women publishing positive news

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a world that is dominated by news of destruction and disaster it seems as though we will never see any positive news. Amongst this bad news fatigue...

Life lessons from two professional tree climbers

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to become a world champion tree climber?Josephine Hedger is a five-time World Champion and a Six Time European Champion tree climber...

Women reporting the world of sport

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Women playing, watching and reporting on sport is increasingly common. Yet sports journalism is an area still dominated by men, especially in written ...

Me and my acne

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A skin positivity influencer from Venezuela and dermatologist from Barbados tell Kim Chakanetsa about the impact having acne has on their lives.Consta...

Women in F1

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two women who work on the world’s fastest cars. Bernadette Collins is a strategy engineer from Northern Ireland. She worked f...

Women in Hollywood: Who runs the film industry?

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is an impressive list of female creatives on this year's Oscar nominees list – actors, producers, costume designers - but no female directors....

Women in Hollywood: Styling the stars

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two of the most influential stylists in Hollywood. Camille Friend is a hair stylist and she’s been nominated in this year’s A...

Women in Hollywood: Oscar nominees

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa is in Hollywood to meet two award winning women who’ve made it onto this year’s Oscar nominees list. Lesley Paterson co-wrote th...

A new life for women after redundancy

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Companies around the world are making their employees redundant. Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women who managed to re-invent themselves after losing th...

Step-mothers: The joys and challenges

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa talks to a US step-parenting coach and a journalist in India about their experience of being a step-mother. They discuss the challenges...

Women leading the tech revolution in Africa

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the past few years, the internet has been spreading rapidly across Africa. The continent has nearly half of the world’s mobile money accounts, an...

Turning scars into body art

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are many reasons someone might choose to get a tattoo – it could be a cultural or a simple fashion statement. Sometimes it’s a creative way ...

Coping with the death of a sibling

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The loss of a sibling can be devastating. It means the severing of a shared history and common memories. But the grief can be overshadowed by that of ...

Women and chronic migraine pain

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Headache, nausea and sensitivity to light are all common symptoms of migraine. According to the BBC, one in five women suffer from migraines. Studies ...

Women fighting for equality in divorce

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Divorces are often messy. In countries like Turkey and Egypt, they can also put women at risk of losing everything: their financial independence, the ...

Champions of women’s football

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Women’s football is being played in front of record crowds – interest and attendance has soared and the game is flourishing but getting here hasn’...

Women with a passion for wine

26 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa talks to a multi-award winning wine expert from France and a young sommelier from Kenya who was part of the first all-female team to ta...

Excavating the hidden secrets of women in Ancient Egypt

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What role did women play in the social and cultural life of Ancient Egypt? Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women uncovering secrets from this incredible c...

100 Women: Can a frank conversation about sex be a revolutionary act?

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of BBC 100 Women - an initiative that highlights the work of 100 inspiring and influential women from ar...

How we help women in hunger crises

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Global food insecurity is putting millions of people at risk, and during hunger crises women are more vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition. ...

Diamonds transforming women’s lives

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While synonymous with status and romance, diamonds have also been linked to controversy, colonialism and conflict. Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women w...

Gambling my life away: Stories of addiction and recovery

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An increasing number of women have become addicted to gambling in recent years, and experts fear the current cost of living crisis could put even more...

Powered by women: Solar energy changing lives

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What role are women playing in providing solar power and ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to cheaper and cleaner energy? Kim Chakanets...

Women leading a revolution in astronomy

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa discusses the wonders of the sky with two world-renowned astronomers.Dr Ewine van Dishoeck is a Dutch astronomer and chemist who has be...

Women DJs

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After lockdowns, gig cancelations and a long and painful period for those in the industry, this year has seen the return of a full festival season aro...

How to make the best of travelling with children

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are many reasons people cut back on travelling once they have children - the cost for one, and the extra luggage! Beatriz de la Pava talks to wo...

Women making the most of water

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly half of the world’s population lives in an area that faces water scarcity for at least a month every year and one in three people globally do...

Women warriors on screen

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Throughout history, women have been fearlessly taking up arms and waging war, but the stories of female fighters tend to be forgotten. That is changin...

Are women the key to an electric vehicle future?

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Despite being more likely to be concerned about climate change women are less likely than men to buy an electric car, or to say that they plan to. But...

Women at the Polar opposite

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Climate change is having a devastating impact on the North and the South Pole – melting glaciers and endangering the local wildlife. Kim Chakanetsa ...

Women fighting fake news

18 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fake news can have harmful consequences for those who believe it - but why are women often the target of disinformation campaigns? Kim Chakanetsa meet...

The women of flamenco

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Flamenco is a complex Spanish artform that includes music, singing and dancing. People often associate it with expressive female dancers - but what ro...

Women raising the alarm on air pollution

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the third annual International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on Wednesday 7 September. It’s aimed at raising public awareness at all levels...

How to heal a broken heart

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had your heart broken? It can feel all-consuming and unbearable at points, and cause us physical pain. But why is this the case and how ...

Women growing grain

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us rely on farmers to produce our food and rising costs for farmers are leading to spiralling food prices. It's in part down to huge increases...

Women at the negotiating table

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Women play a crucial role in peace building processes around the world, but their role is rarely recognised. Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women who bui...

Women crossing borders and seeking refuge

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

According to the United Nations, at the end of 2021, 89.4 million people around the world had been forced to flee their homes as a result of persecuti...

Leaving my religion

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When doubt creeps in about the faith you’ve grown up in and nobody will tolerate your questions, when you look at your life ahead mapped out by othe...

Searching for missing women

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What would you do if a loved one went missing? Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women whose lives have been touched by a missing person’s case, and now h...

Powered by women: Lineworkers

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Chakanetsa meets two women who bring electricity to communities in the US and New Zealand.Maureen Miller is a listener from Wisconsin in the US wh...

Why women's friendships last

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Why are friends who are always there for you so important? Kim Chakanetsa meets two women who’ve put friendships at the heart of their work to make ...

Women tackling the global plastic crisis

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Two women confronting the dangers of plastic pollution talk to Kim Chakanetsa. They’re sounding the alarm and working on innovative solutions: from ...

Women living with life-changing diabetes

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is no known cure for type 1 diabetes. Usually diagnosed in childhood, people’s experiences differ considerably depending on where they live an...

Rat catchers: Women in pest control

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many people are scared of insects, reptiles and rodents and certainly wouldn't choose to work with them. Not today's guests. Kim Chakanetsa talks to t...

Our journey to sobriety

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alcoholism is a global health issue which each year results in millions of deaths. Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two women to discuss the realities of addi...

Detectorists: Women finding treasure

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us as children dream of finding a treasure map and digging up gold and precious jewels. For some that longing never goes away. Kim Chakanetsa ...

Can a book change a young woman’s life?

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Can a book change a young woman’s life? Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women in the publishing world about the importance of writing stories that inspi...

Female collectives and neighbourhood feminists

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Collectives offer opportunities for like-minded individuals to unite over a common goal, approaching issues with a shared vision and democratic mindse...