Main content

Women-Only Trains; Shabana Azmi; Supergrans; Rural Childhood

Presented by Jenni Murray. Women-only train carriages, Shabana Azmi on campaigning for equal rights, how to be a Supergran, and the pains and pleasures of life in the country.

In some countries women-only carriages on the city's metro and train networks have been introduced to protect women from sexual harassment and abuse. But could similar measures help tackle the issue in the UK?

Shabana Azmi is one of India's most famous actors. In a career spanning 40 years she has played the lead in over 140 films. Shabana believes art should be used as a medium for social change and is equally respected for her work fighting for the rights of women and slum dwellers. After more than a decade away Shabana is back performing on the British stage and she joins Jenni Murray to talk about her latest role and her work as a social campaigner.

Hillary Clinton recently became a grandmother. The baby's arrival prompted questions about her ability to be President AND be a grandmother. So how easily can powerful women combine a demanding job with being a hands-on grandmother?

This year is the centenary of Laurie Lee's birth, the author of "Cider with Rosie". His much loved book tells the tale of his life growing up in a small Gloucestershire village at a time when the countryside was experiencing great change. We often have an idealised view of life in the country, but is it always the childhood idyll we like to imagine?

Presenter: Jenni Murray
Producer: Cecile Wright.

Available now

58 minutes

Chapters

  • Women only train carriages

    Could women only trains help deter sexual offences on transport in the UK?

    Duration: 10:25

  • Shabana Azmi

    Shabana Azmi is one of India’s most famous actresses, playing the lead in over 140 films

    Duration: 09:18

  • Super Grans

    How easily can powerful women combine a demanding job with being a hands-on grandmother?

    Duration: 09:41

Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi is one of India’s most famous actresses. In a career spanning 40 years she has played the lead in over 140 Indian films.Β  Shabana Azmi is equally respected for her social work. A crusader for the rights of slum dwellers, a Women’s Rights activist and a strong moderate liberal voice against religious extremism of all hues, Shabana believes art should be used as a medium for social change. Β After more than a decade away from British theatre she is back starring in Happy Birthday Sunita playing Tejpal, the matriarch of the Johal house.

Super Grans

Hillary Clinton recently became a grandmother. During her daughter’s pregnancy she said she didn't want to make any decisions about running for President until the baby's arrival, pointing to her interest in enjoying becoming a grandmother for the first time.Β  The baby’s arrival has prompted questions about her ability to be President AND be a grandmother. So how easily can powerful women combine a demanding job with being a hands-on grandmother?Β 

Women only train carriages

The number of sexual offences on the railway went up by almost 21% in Β the 12 months to March 2014, Β according to the British Transport Police.Β  Sao Paolo’s city authorities recently approved a bill enforcing women-only carriages on the city’s metro network. But could similar measures help tackle the issue in the UK?

British Transport Police Text 61016 to report crime or incidents, on your train, discretely.

A rural childhood

This year is the centenary of Laurie Lee’s birth, the author of β€œCider with Rosie”. Β This much loved book tells the tale of his life growing up in a small Gloucestershire village at a time when the countryside was experiencing great change.Β  Laurie Lee’s β€œRosie” was inspired by his cousin, Rosalind Buckland who died recently – just before her 100th birthday. Β We often have an idealised image of life in the country and think that life might be better there, that it’s an ideal place for children to grow up where they can wander freely but is it always the childhood idyll we like to imagine? Β Β Β Jenni speaks to , who grew up in rural Wales and who grew up in East Scotland about their memories of a rural childhood.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jenni Murray
Producer Cecile Wright
Interviewed Guest Laura Bates
Interviewed Guest Ricky Twyford
Interviewed Guest Shabana Azmi
Interviewed Guest Eve Pollard
Interviewed Guest Shirley Williams
Interviewed Guest Abbie Ross
Interviewed Guest Isabel Oakeshott

Broadcast

  • Fri 17 Oct 2014 10:00

Follow us on Instagram

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

Podcast