The Unfairer Sex

On 17 June 2025, MPs had the opportunity to vote on two amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill relating to abortion: NC1 aimed to prevent women from being prosecuted for ending their own pregnancy. NC20 went further, seeking to fully decriminalise abortion by repealing the relevant criminal provisions altogether. Both amendments retained the Abortion Act 1967 as the framework for abortion care, meaning the legal grounds for accessing abortion would remain unchanged. However, only NC20 would have made abortion a human right, protected it from future restrictions, and decriminalised the act for both women and healthcare professionals involved in providing abortion care. While we may not fully understand why abortion groups and charities withdrew their support for NC20, we do know that arguments used to oppose the amendments – such as the claim they were about ‘saving women from themselves’ or that abortion reform should wait for a standalone bill – were both insincere and patronising. In the end, only NC1 was passed. So... Why are British tabloids now claiming that MPs have voted to decriminalise abortion in the UK? Why were MPs allowed to misquote statistics on the record in Parliament to bolster opposition to abortion reform — without judicial correction? And most importantly, what are the real consequences of this vote for women, healthcare providers, and the future of reproductive rights in the UK? We asked Stella Creasy, Labour (Co-op) MP for Walthamstow to join us for an episode to unpack what really happened in Parliament on June 17th, why the vote on NC20 mattered, and what’s next for abortion rights in the UK. This episode was recorded on June 18th 2024. ***** Helpful links: The Mummafesto Podcast, hosted by Stella Creasy: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mummafesto/id1735494350 Hansard Society Debate Overview: https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-bulletin-16-june-2025#tuesday-17-june-2025 Recording of the Debate (start at 16:56:46 in the index): https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/97c409d6-cd51-4596-9921-96e0bfeb7677

Know the difference between NC1 and NC20 in the context of decriminalising abortions in the UK? You're not the only one. This episode picks up when our last episode left off, recapping the key details of e-petition 700014 and the two key amendments being tabled to the Crime and Policing Bill – NC1 (Tonia Antoniazzi, Labour MP) and NC20 (Stella Creasy, Labour MP). We also explain the parliamentary process and why it's imperative we put a democratic lock around our right to access abortion healthcare now, in order to prevent future rollback via secondary regulations. If we miss this opportunity, we delay reform for another generation and open up our rights to political mood swings. Why run the risk? To finish up, Rhiannon shares insights from the June 2nd debate and factchecks some of the fast and loose stats being thrown around by Jim Shannon (and others) – an Northern Irish MP with a real investment in denying abortion access for English and Welsh residents. Next steps: The vote takes place on June 17th, meaning you still have time to email your MP and implore them to back NC20. And you should do that. Here's a template you can use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O4CoU9FfVBrXUoLWgM4-ZMAFwYPuYWBTDSqZMkusnxM/edit?tab=t.0 You can also watch the first debate in full here: https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/9e31c35d-d310-4b07-ad31-6b30fea24032 The Hansard Transcript of the June 2nd debate can be found here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025-06-02/debates/600E3036-7871-4198-BD43-467F710AC5E1/DecriminalisingAbortion

Unbeknown to some, abortion in England and Wales is still a crime under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929, which carries a life sentence for anyone who has or provides an abortion. These laws remain in place despite being repealed in Northern Ireland by Westminster in 2019 and 2020. In this episode, we tackle the relentless control over women’s reproductive choices – from forced birth and restricted access to healthcare, to the criminalisation of abortion. With Parliament set to debate a crucial amendment next week (June 2nd, 2025) to protect women from prosecution for seeking essential healthcare, we explore what’s at stake and why this fight is far from over. We discuss the harrowing case of Adrian Smith in Georgia, a woman kept alive despite being brain dead, her body used as an incubator without her consent. We also address Nigel Farage’s recent comments calling it “utterly ludicrous” that abortion is allowed up to 24 weeks. His statements mirror anti-choice rhetoric, even though most abortions (88%) occur within the first ten weeks, and later procedures are often medically necessary. Rhiannon shares her own personal story of baby loss – having to terminate her pregnancy at 22 weeks due to her son’s severe and incurable heart condition. She warns of the chilling prospect that, if politicians like Farage succeed in reducing the legal time limit, we risk following the same path as the U.S., where reproductive rights have been systematically dismantled and women are forced to carry pregnancies that only lead to suffering. This episode is a call to action. We cannot let our rights be eroded piece by piece. Join us as we unpack the legal battles, the human stories, and the urgent need to protect bodily autonomy before it’s too late. **** Helpful links: www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/exclusive-labour-mp-stella-creasy-calls-for-abortion-to-be-human-right-after-farage-comments-393618/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dqp3dep48o https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O4CoU9FfVBrXUoLWgM4-ZMAFwYPuYWBTDSqZMkusnxM/edit https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj.q2136.full https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/abortion-statistics-for-england-and-wales-2022/abortion-statistics-england-and-wales-2022 https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/2023-12/Legal%20but%20not%20local_Barriers%20to%20accessing%20abortion%20servicesi%20in%20Northern%20Ireland.pdf?VersionId=TMIsqFC1MS2CogIE1kaZHcya0OSG_HYe https://www.gov.uk/government/news/abortion-service-protection-zones-in-place-in-england-and-wales https://bills.parliament.uk/publications/53621/documents/4252 https://www.justgiving.com/page/hudsons-little-heart-bereavement-support

In 2023, a non-profit research organization, More in Common, found that trust in the police fell from 63% to 53% in the wake of Wayne Couzens' sentencing. This sharp decline in public confidence reflects a growing distrust of law enforcement, particularly following high-profile cases of police misconduct. In this powerful episode, we speak with Issy Vine who has taken legal action against the Metropolitan Police, shedding light on the deep-rooted issues of misogyny and discrimination within the force. We explore the incident that led Vine to pursue legal action, the personal motivations behind her decision, and the challenges she faced when reporting misconduct within the force. Vine shares her firsthand experience of the cultural dynamics within the Metropolitan Police and discusses how these systemic issues contribute to a hostile environment for women, both within the police force and in the broader public. Despite the negative publicity that stories like this can generate, Vine explains why it's crucial to share her experience publicly and challenge the status quo. Now campaigning for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and institutional accountability, she outline their priorities and suggests reforms necessary to address misogyny and discrimination in the police and other institutions. Join us for a compelling conversation on justice, accountability, and the urgent need for change within law enforcement institutions. Additional resources: The Baroness Casey Review, March 2023 – https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/bcr/baroness-casey-review/ The Angiolini Inquiry,  February 2024 – https://www.angiolini.independent-inquiry.uk The Met's response to issues raised by the crimes of Wayne Couzens: https://www.met.police.uk/notices/met/our-response-to-issues-raised-by-the-crimes-of-wayne-couzens/ Independent Review of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), December 2023: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65f458f6af6a0d001190d4fc/Independent+Review+of+the+Independent+Office+for+Police+Conduct+.pdf National recommendations relating to 'Wayne Couzens failures' - National Police Chiefs' Council and College of Policing, August 2023: https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/our-work/learning/national-recommendations-relating-wayne-couzens-failures-national-police-chiefs David Carrick, CPS – https://www.cps.gov.uk/stories/david-carrick Support Issy Vine: https://www.change.org/p/review-legislation-and-policies-enabling-police-misconduct-in-the-met-police-force www.issyvine.com 

Witchcraft* – a crime predominately played out by women in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was not a crime before this time because, well, it was completely made up to punish those destabilising gender hierarchies and social hierarchies. This means it also impacted men. Anyone who was oppressed by patriarchal ideals. So much so, that many scholars in this field look at witchcraft as a study of disenfranchised groups more broadly, rather than just a crime against women. This episode discusses talking points raised by Dr Jennifer Farrell (a lecturer in medieval history at the University of Exeter) in a talk she hosted with Seed Talks in September 2024, titled: The History of Witchcraft and Feminism with Dr Jennifer Farrell. Using Dr Farrell's learnings, Rhiannon and I delve into the emergence of witchcraft at the end of the middle ages, the variety of magical practices (including love magic, healing, and various forms of necromancy), the impact of secular powers on who was accused of witchcraft, and how the genesis paradigm continues to feed the patriarchal fear of women. Enjoy! *Evidence of witchcraft ranged from being considered a 'woman of forcible speech and domineering ways' by a neighbour, to having friends – and 'gathering' with them, to exhibiting menopausal symptoms, being gay, marrying someone 'outside your league', or living in a town which was experiencing a bad harvest or political unrest...

We've covered the menopause before, but not like this! Dr Wendy Molefi joins Rhiannon and Ely to discuss the differences in menstrual patterns among various ethnicities, why menopause is still considered a social stigma in many minority communities – and how this affects the treatment of women going through the menopause, as well as how we address the misconception that menopause is a loss of femininity. Dr Molefi will be speaking at Pause Live – the UK’s largest menopause event. It takes place this year on 14th September, in London. Helpful links BMS – Menopause in ethnic minority women 2023 online survey of postmenopausal women to determine their attitudes and knowledge of the menopause. Rawan Aljumah, Samantha Phillips, and  Joyce C Harper APPG on Menopause inquiry: Assessing the impacts of Menopause and the case for policy reform £25 million for women's health hub expansion “A part of being a woman, really”: Menopause at work as “dirty” femininity, 2022

In this episode, we dive into the world of contraception, sharing our personal experiences and the insights we’ve gathered through trial and error and plenty of googling! Rather than inviting an expert on to share their medical wisdom, we wanted to walk the walk of an average person – gathering information the way our listeners might and sharing our own experiences with the NHS. Join us for an open and honest conversation as we explore the choices and challenges surrounding birth control, the various methods of contraception available around the world, their pros and cons, and some surprising historical facts! Oh, and Rhiannon starts the episode with an incredibly personal 'sorry, what did you say' story that will leave you fuming...

In Australia, intimate partner violence contributes to more death, disability and illness in women aged 25-44 than any other preventable risk factor. In fact, so far this year in Australia, more than one woman per week has been killed by a male perpetrator. The rate of women killed by an intimate partner in Australia has increased by nearly 30% in 2022-23 (Australian Institute of Criminology), with research from Ipsos and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL) showing that Australian men holding some of the most misogynistic views in the Western world. In this episode, we are once again honoured to be graced with the presence of The Unfairer Professor, Steve Roberts, alongside his esteemed colleague Dr Stephanie Wescott (Monash University). Together, we delve into the impact of toxic masculinity within Australian schools, the response from the Australian government, and why asking women and girls to suffer so men and boys can 'learn a lesson' isn't right or sustainable. We explore how harmful stereotypes affect students, educators, and the overall learning environment, and how much harder it's becoming to tackle what's been called a 'national crisis' when the likes of Andrew Tate continue to embed themself in the consciousness of teenage boys.... Links: The problem of anti-feminist ‘manfluencer’ Andrew Tate in Australian schools: women teachers’ experiences of resurgent male supremacy – Stephanie Wescott, Steve Roberts and Xuenan Zhao paper https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09540253.2023.2292622 Interview with The Conversation about Doctor Stephanie Wescott's and Prof Steve Roberts' research paper: https://theconversation.com/andrew-tates-extreme-views-about-women-are-infiltrating-australian-schools-we-need-a-zero-tolerance-response-229603 The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 https://www.dss.gov.au/the-national-plan-to-end-violence-against-women-and-children/the-national-plan-to-end-violence-against-women-and-children-2022-2032 Yarra Valley grammar students suspended: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/may/06/yarra-valley-grammar-students-suspended-spreadsheet-rating-female-classmates Julia Gillard misogyny speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNuPcf8L00

We are no strangers to competition – give us a board game or a sports field and we will compete till the cows come home, but in this episode, we talk about an arena in which we refuse to compete. We dive into the historical and ongoing trend of pitting women against each other, from the royal courts of Henry VIII to the pop culture clash between Britney and Christina, and beyond. Why has society long fostered a culture of competition among women in areas where it doesn't belong? Why do we perpetuate this cycle of competition, and is it time to put an end to it? We examine the impact of rivalry in various spheres, including pop culture, the workplace, and the pressures mothers face to avoid judgment. Through a range of examples, we discuss the reasons behind this phenomenon, the unfairness and absurdity of it, and most importantly, how we can shift from competition to support. Join us as we challenge the status quo and this tired game of competition, and advocate for a world where women empower each other in all their endeavours, celebrating unity over rivalry.

One in three. That's the number of women who will experience sexual assault in their lives. And that's an uncomfortable truth Suzie Miller addresses in her play, Prima Facie – recently evolved into a novel by the same name (released 14th March 2024). Keen to better understand the themes behind Prima Facie – namely the limitations of the UK legal system when it comes to cases of rape and sexual assault – The Unfairer Sex was thrilled to get its mitts on a pre-released copy of the book and have the opportunity to speak to Suzie Miller herself about: What the text sought out to achieve. The overwhelming impact Prima Facie has had in the courts and law enforcement. How Prima Facie has contributed to the feminist movement and the public discourse on gender equality and justice. Why we're seeing a rise in stories that centre the female experience in sexual assault cases and how they are continually failed by systems intended to support them (Anatomy of a Scandal (2022), I May Destroy You (2020), Promising Young Woman (2020)). What it was like working with Jodie Comer for the National Theatre 2022 production, and to continue working with Comer on the novel. Future projects – on and off stage. This conversation was nothing short of awe-inspiring and we hope you love listening as much as we did recording. P.S. Penguin Random House very kindly shared some audio clips featuring the incredibly talented Jodie Comer – enjoy! Helpful links: Jodie Comer and Suzie Miller Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gSOazhMuH0 Right to Equality campaign: https://theconversation.com/affirmative-consent-campaign-calls-for-sexual-assault-law-change-in-england-and-wales-but-this-approach-has-pitfalls-too-225317 EU Resolution – first EU law on violence against women: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240205IPR17412/first-ever-eu-rules-on-combating-violence-against-women-deal-reached Tea and Consent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZwvrxVavnQ Larry Nassar case: The 156 women who confronted a predator: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42725339 Inquiry into serial sexual offender Wayne Couzens: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/29/killer-of-sarah-everard-should-never-have-joined-police-report-finds

Who better than to debunk online sex myths than a sex therapist and gynaecologist? The Unfairer Sex is delighted to welcome back Miss Smita Sinha and Dr. Carolin Klein to discuss the importance of language in women's healthcare (vulva vs vagina), shame around female pleasure and why having multiple partners isn't going to make a woman "loose". We also ask Smita and Dr Carolin to debunk their most commonly heard sex myth and share their thoughts on James' Cleverly (UK Home Secretary) remark about sedating his wife with “a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night”. Yep. And if that's not enough, we also learnt the German word for 'labia'... 🙄 Enjoy! **** Miss Smita Sinha, founder of Serenity Women’s Clinic is a Consultant Gynaecologist with over 15 years experience in Women’s Health and specialises in Menopause and Vulval Health. She is a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, British Menopause Society and British Society for the study of Vulval disease. Dr. Carolin Klein is a sex therapist and a Registered Psychologist. She is co-founder and co-director of the West Coast Centre for Sex Therapy in Vancouver, BC - a clinic of 20 Registered Psychologists, Registered Clinical Counselors, and graduate level practicum students providing evidence-based sex therapy to the province of British Columbia.

We are delighted to have Prof Steve Roberts and Chris Stein return to The Unfairer Sex podcast to talk to us about anger; in particular, how anger manifests itself and the different ways its socially sanctioned and conditioned depending on gender. We discuss the interlink between anger and fear, the support available to men today, why we need to invest in intergenerational support and resolve the chronic underfunding of social care in the UK. We also discuss why women are deemed to be a legitimate target of male aggression, and how anger is channeled and controlled. Please note, we briefly touch on the subject of suicide. ****** Helpful links: Prof Steve Roberts Future Men Healthy Masculinities Project, Australia The Good Childhood Report 2023 Ep 39 – The Complexities of Masculinity with Future Men Ep 20 – Politics of Masculinity with Steve Roberts

According to a report by the Female Founders Fund, the menopause market is worth an estimated $600bn – with companies targeting perimenopausal women with everything from vampire facials (PRP) for the vagina to ovary supplements and super blended teas. Whilst women have been crying out for solutions to the 30+ symptoms they can experience during this particular life stage, when the menopause is described as a 'gold rush' and 'untapped market', solutions popping up on the market start to feel less sincere in their efforts. And that got us thinking, are those operating in the menopause market serving women, or simply capitalising on women's discomfort to line their pockets? For episode 42 (and the first of 2024!), The Unfairer Sex were joined by Emily Barclay – founder of The Perimenopause Hub, author of The Aargh to Zen of Perimenopause and proud peri godmother with all the hugs – to discuss the commercialisation of the menopause, why we need to stop calling the perimenopause a diagnosis and why as estrogen declines, so does a woman's tolerance for BS. We also look at harmful myths around HRT, advocating for yourself at the doctors and how we can protect our mental health from diet culture, especially during life phrases where our weight is more likely to fluctuate. Such a great episode! Yep, it's long, but it comes with wine recommendations so we recommend keeping with it ;-)

It is the holiday season and the end of the year, so we wanted to look at the good things that happened this year. From sporting achievements to Nobel prize winners, we have 12 good news stories for you! We didn't quite manage to create a song from the 12, but you'll hear we tried a little. Do you have any stories we haven't mentioned? Personal achievements or feminist wins? Let us know! And Happy Christmas, Happy Hannukah and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Whilst preparing for Ep 39, we reached out to a number of men to ask their thoughts on the term masculinity, possible causes to the growing popularity of misogyny in younger generations, and why some men feel the need to be violent, dominant and/or aggressive. We also asked about what role models are available for men today, and discussed why trying to find all the answers in one person might not be as conducive as it feels. This episode is a deep dive into those interviews. A HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to these questions. Some of you disagreed with the premise of the questions we asked, others read them in a way we never considered. Some brought Bluey into the mix, and others warned us about traps. However you replied, we valued hearing your thoughts and learning so much about this conversation from a variety of POVs. Thank you.

To mark International Men's Day, The Unfairer Sex teamed up with Chris Stein from Future Men, exploring the concept of masculinity, what it means to be a dynamic and healthy man, role models available to men today and the pressure some men feel to be violent, constantly tough, and a financial provider. We also discussed Future Men's attempts to get paternity recognised as a protected characteristic in the Equalities Act 2010. Whilst preparing for this episode, we reached out to a number of men to ask their thoughts on the term masculinity, possible causes to the growing popularity of misogyny in younger generations, and why men might not feel able to speak up when a victim of abuse. A HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to these questions. Some of you disagreed with the premise of the questions we asked, others read them in a way we never considered. Some brought Lady Gaga into the mix! However you replied, we valued hearing your thoughts and learning so much about this conversation from a variety of POVs. Thank you. **** https://futuremen.org/ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents

You've possibly heard of shrinking violets, but have you heard of the shrinking clit? This episode, The Unfairer Sex are joined by Smita Sinha, founder of Serenity Women’s Clinic is a Consultant Gynaecologist with over 15 years experience in Women’s Health and specialises in Menopause and Vulval Health, and Charlotte Body, founder and visionary behind Aesthetic Associates and pause live! to talk about all things menopause, vulvas and wonder birds. We talk about symptoms, finding your tribe, and our thoughts on the UK government rejecting five proposals in the Menopause and the Workplace Report by the Women and Equalities Committees (January 2023). PLUS! If you want to attend a fabulous day out in London focused on women empowerment, health workshops and wellbeing, grab a ticket to PAUSE Live! on November 25th in Islington. Pause have very kindly shared a VIP CODE for our followers so use WMD10 to claim 10% off! Run, don't walk! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pause/879819 **** Helpful links: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/24/menopause-law-equalities-act-uk-change-rejected https://inews.co.uk/opinion/menopause-leave-sticking-plaster-larger-problem-2106877 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/health/a34973500/menopause-taboo-history/

Sadia Azmat is a comedic force challenging the status quo on being a hijab-wearing, sex-positive Muslim women who also happens to be a fellow podcaster, comedian and author of 'Sex Bomb' – a deliciously intimate, funny and heartfelt memoir on friendships, love and of course, sex! We discuss western women having a monopoly on love, the practice of arranged marriages and other Indian & Pakistanian customs, and what it means to Sadia to be a hijab-wearing Muslim. We also explore Sadia's comedy career, possible retorts for 'get your tits out' and try to get to the bottom of why Ray J wasn't dumped five pages after he was introduced in the memoir... We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did recording it!

Jeez, it's been a week (or two!) Rather than our usual sorry what did you say, we delved straight into the news – namely the recent cases of celebrity (alleged and proven) sexual assault and rape, and the apologists jumping to their defence. Our main topic is the 2023 Women's World Cup where we look at discrepancy in wages and support for teams, the increase in interest, and the non-consensual kiss forced upon a celebrating Jenni Hermoso by Vice president of the UEFA, Luis Rubiales. ***** Links from the episode: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/24/russell-brand-and-why-the-allegations-took-so-long-to-surface https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-66744480 ⁠https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/25/spanish-politicians-urge-action-over-luis-rubiales-refusal-to-quit-over-kiss⁠ https://theathletic.com/4857814/2023/09/13/rubiales-interview-piers-morgan/?access_token=14125488 https://theathletic.com/4855373/2023/09/15/spains-world-cup-winners-reject-call-ups/ https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/06/jorge-vilda-spain-hits-back-after-sack-i-spent-17-years-fighting-for-womens-football https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66653971 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv01gcp-YP0 https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/sep/21/football-match-only-women-spectators https://time.com/6073949/allyson-felix-launching-saysh-shoes/ https://ukshopruggetterfc.com https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/fashion/nike-has-launched-the-world-s-first-sports-hijab-a3707896.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/domestic-abuse-world-cup-england-win-b2237666.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66804170

Intimacy should come before image. Pleasure should come before profit. And no, a woman's vulva isn't meant to smell of cookies and cream. From role modelling sex communication with partners, to what's appropriate sex ed for children, to shaming women’s sexuality for profit, we are delighted to have Dr Carolin Klein* join us for Ep35 to talk about all things sex. Starting with the absence of lube at wedding fairs in our SWDYS and finishing with sexual liberation for women, this episode has something for everyone. So grab a glass of wine, and fuck the shame with us! *Dr Carolin Klein PhD is a Registered Psychologist and sees clients through the West Coast Centre for Sex Therapy, Vancouver. You can find her on Instagram here.