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Last broadcast on Mon, 16 May 2011, 10:00 on BBC Radio 4.
Synopsis
Presented by Jane Garvey. Is justice influenced by the gender of a judiciary which is predominantly male?
Michelle Bachelet survived torture and imprisonment under Pinochet's dictatorship before going on to become President of Chile. Now in a new role as head of UN Women, she discusses how to empower women across the world. When a relationship ends, can you remain friends or is that a recipe for disaster?
Michelle Bachelet
Michelle Bachelet is visiting the UK this week in her role as Executive Director of UN Women, an agency set up last year to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women around the world. The priorities for the new agency include ending violence against women, and strengthening the women’s peace and security agenda. Michelle’s credentials for the job are fairly impeccable – former President of Chile, doctor, mother of three and survivor of torture and imprisonment under the Pinochet dictatorship. She joins Jane to explain why the agency currently has less than half the money it needs to carry out its work, and what support she would like from Governments like ours.
Is justice influenced by gender?
Only one in five of England and Wales’ judges are women and Lady Hale remains the first and only woman who sits in the UK’s highest appeal court, the Supreme Court. The Ministry of Justice says it's committed to addressing the imbalance. But according to a government progress report published last week, the verdict from Minister for Justice Lord McNally was ‘Trying hard – could do better’. But does gender really affect the decision-making of our judges and justice in the UK? Erika Rackley, Senior Lecturer in Law at Durham University’s Law School, and Her Honour Judge Isobel Plumstead join Jane to discuss.
Can you be friends with your ex?
Everyone would agree that an amicable split is the best thing if a relationship has come to an end, especially if there are children involved. But how far should you take a platonic friendship with your ex-partner? Should you continue to socialise, even go on holiday together? Or is remaining emotionally close just a recipe for trouble? The journalists Kate Mulvey and Carol Sarler share their views and experiences.
Woman's Hour drama - Rebecca and Jeremy Front
In this week’s Woman’s Hour drama, comic actors and writers Rebecca Front and her brother Jeremy present the lives of five incredible women. Each day, Jeremy conducts a spoof interview with an extraordinary and unforgettable character. Rebecca plays a different part in each story, and some times more than one. You’ll also recognise well-known voices, such as Brian Blessed, Graham Norton and Janet Ellis. They join Jane to discuss their work.
Chapters
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Chapter 1
Michelle Bachelet is former President of Chile, doctor, mother and survivor of torture and imprisonment under the Pinochet dictatorship. She talks about her role as Executive Director of UN Women.
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Chapter 2
How far should you take a platonic friendship with your ex-partner? The journalists Kate Mulvey and Carol Sarler share their views and experiences.
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Chapter 3
Only 20% of England and Wales’ judges. Jane discusses with Judge Plumstead and Erika Rackley, Durham University’s Law School.
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Chapter 4
In next week’s Woman’s Hour drama, comic actors and writers Rebecca Front and her brother Jeremy present the lives of 5 incredible women. Rebecca plays a different part in each story.
Broadcast
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Mon 16 May 201110:00
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