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Maternity discrimination; Penal reformers; Cheating partners

Jenni Murray presents the female perspective, discussing maternity discrimination, penal reform campaigners, support for cheated partners, and author Rosemary Friedman's new book.

Maternity discrimination will now be researched by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Evidence will be collected on the extent, causes and effects of pregnancy and maternity discrimination. The Howard League for Penal Reform publishes a new report looking at the impact of campaigners Pauline Campbell and Violet Van der Elst.

How do you cope with infidelity and cheating partners? A new website called women-scorned.co.uk offers support and advice for women. Author Rosemary Friedman talks about her latest book, The Man Who Understood Women, which brings together short stories from the mid 1950s to the present day.

Presenter: Jenni Murray
Producer: Beverley Purcell.

Available now

58 minutes

Chapters

  • Maternity discrimination at work

    A new research project will look into the extent of maternity discrimination

    Duration: 06:47

  • How to cope with cheating partners

    A new website set up to provide support for women who have been cheated on.

    Duration: 09:08

  • Penal Reformers

    Laura Topham assesses the impact of campaigners Pauline Campbell and Violet Van der Elst

    Duration: 07:43

  • The Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service

    The women who nursed the wounded soldiers on the battlefields of the Boer War, WW1 & 2

    Duration: 11:02

  • Rosemary Friedman

    The writer discusses her latest collection of short stories

    Duration: 08:37

Maternity discrimination at work

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some pregnant women experience discrimination while on maternity leave or on their return to work. However, there is no up to date evidence as the most recent data goes back to 2005.ÌýSo theÌýwill be undertaking a new comprehensive research project to provide evidence on the extent, causes and effects of pregnancy and maternity discrimination.

Guest: Rosalind Bragg,ÌýDirector of Ìý

How to cope with cheating partners

Three years ago Jan Griffiths found out her husband was having an affair for the third time. Within months, eight of her best female friends also discovered they were being cheated on - four of them lived within the same cul-de-sac. Realising there was little help available for women in their position, Jan decided to set up an online support network. Women Scorned wasÌýlaunched six weeks ago and itÌýaims to help women cope with every aspect of infidelity.

Guests:ÌýFounder Jan Griffiths and Commercial Director Jo Welch.

Prison Reformers

Pauline Campbell and Violet Van der Elst were separated by more than half a century but their aims were the same – to transform the prison system. When Pauline’s daughter took her own life in prison in 2003, she embarked on a campaign to change the way women are treated behind bars, whereas Violet took to the streets in the 1930s to put an end to capital punishment. A new report from the looks at the impact and success of their work. Guest : Laura Topham

The Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service

Women have long nursed wounded soldiers on the battlefieldÌýand in 1902, the army formed a specialist unit of military nurses – the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service. The women served in the Boer War and World War I, but it was during the Second World War that the army decided they need to be closer to the front lines, in Casualty Clearing Stations and field hospitals. Nicola Tyrer has told the story of the nursesÌýin herÌý book, Sisters in Arms. Jennifer Chevalier spoke to her, and to two of the women who served in World War Two. Irish-born Mary English started nursing in 1942 in North Africa and during the Italian campaign. Dorothea Davies went over to France just after the D-Day landings.

Rosemary Friedman

Author Rosemary Friedman has written steadily for over 50 years. She has written screen plays, stage plays,ÌýTV scripts and has published 26 books.ÌýHer latest book, The Man Who Understood Women, brings together short stories from the mid 1950s to the present day and they provide a brilliant insight into the changing role of women over the last five decades.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jenni Murray
Interviewed Guest Rosalind Bragg
Interviewed Guest Rosemary Friedman
Interviewed Guest Laura Topham
Interviewed Guest Jan Griffiths
Interviewed Guest Jo Welch
Producer Beverley Purcell

Broadcast

  • Wed 6 Nov 2013 10:00

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