The line-up across the week is cook, author and television presenter Nadiya Hussain; retiring Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Dany Cotton; activist Amika George; the lawyer who represented victims of the ‘black cab rapist’ John Worboys and founder of The Centre of Women’s Justice, Harriet Wistrich; and Children’s Laureate and author of the How to Train Your Dragon series, Cressida Cowell.
Each guest editor will share their perspective on topics important to them and join regular presenters Jenni Murray and Jane Garvey to explain their choices.
On Monday 22 July Nadiya Hussain will focus on time, the time pressures women face and finding ways to relax.
Nadiya Hussain said: “My edition of Woman’s Hour will focus on time, and our lack of it! Having enough ‘time’ for everything feels like a constant battle – juggling childcare and career demands – are women more pressurised by this than ever before? And are we more time poor than men? When we feel busier than ever, I’ll look at what can we do to relax and switch off, and what works for me!”
On Tuesday 23 July Harriet Wistrich will explore a range of topics including dealing with the loss of a disabled sibling, the treatment of women in the criminal justice system, and a woman she particularly admires.
Harriet Wistrich says: “I was very excited to be asked to guest edit an edition of Woman’s Hour – such a great forum for airing all sorts of issues close to my heart.
“It would have been easy for me to fill a whole programme with stories about legal cases I am involved in and other issues related to violence against women, but I appreciate perhaps a bit relentless for the listener. So I’ve stepped outside of my all-encompassing world and chosen a range of issues and stories that matter and that I hope listeners might wish to hear about”.
On Wednesday 24 July the teenage activist Amika George will look at access and diversity in higher education, the growing influence of hip hop and grime artists in youth politics, and the ways her generation of empowered young people is so different to previous generations.
Amika George says: “I’m so thrilled to be a guest editor of Woman’s Hour. By exploring topics ranging from access and diversity in higher education, to the unprecedented allure of TV shows such as Fleabag, Love Island and Sex Education, to the unlikely rise of hip hop and grime artists as influential figures of youth politics, I’m going to discuss the ways in which my generation, of politicised, outspoken and empowered young people, is so remarkably different from previous teenage generations.”
Cressida Cowell will delve into a range of topics on Thursday 25 July including what should be done to make books accessible to everyone, the legacy of lost ancestors, female and diverse authors and heroes, as well as our worrying disconnect with nature.
Cressida Cowell says: “I will be talking about the thoroughly modern magic of reading and how that magic can and must be made accessible to absolutely everybody.
Also I’ll be talking exclusively to Woman’s Hour about lost ancestors including an extraordinary but forgotten relative of mine, plus the vital importance of diverse authors and heroes for children, and funny words for the countryside, the words we are losing and our worrying disconnect with nature.”
On Friday 26 July Dany Cotton will explore mental health and the benefits of therapy dogs. She says: “I was thrilled to take part in this year’s Takeover and talk about topics I’m passionate about – I have managed to include something tasty, something fluffy and something serious!
“I will be explaining to the listeners the benefits of therapy dogs and why I will be getting one for London Fire Brigade. I also wanted to talk about an issue I have seen throughout my 32 year career – mental health and how it can affect first responders.
“I love cooking and I’m sure I was a mouse in a previous life, so I will also be talking about the looming Halloumi shortage.”
Karen Dalziel, Woman’s Hour Editor, says: “We’re excited to have five such inspiring, leading women take control of Woman’s Hour this week and delighted that each guest editor has been so honest and candid in discussing issues they feel are important for women today. I’m sure our audience will enjoy their personal insights, sense of fun and passion.”
Woman’s Hour launched the Takeover week in 2014 with JK Rowling, Doreen Lawrence, Kelly Holmes and Naomi Alderman. Since then guest editors have included Kim Cattrall and Nimco Ali (2015), Mary Berry and Angelina Jolie (2016), Ellie Simmonds and Shirley Hughes (2017), and last year Katie Price and Arianna Huffington.
Woman’s Hour broadcasts on BBC Radio 4 at 10am, Monday-Friday and on Saturdays at 4pm. The daily podcast can be downloaded from BBC Sounds.
Jane Garvey will present Takeover on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Jenni Murray will present on Wednesday and Thursday.
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