HER Ensemble, Surrogacy & IVF in Ukraine, Anne Dickson

One of the unforeseeable consequences of the war in Ukraine is how it has affected the hundreds of people from the UK and Ireland who visit the country every year to undergo fertility treatment or use Ukrainian surrogates. This has left families in a quandary about whether or not to continue treatment, and worried about the welfare of surrogate mothers and what could happen to any babies born during the conflict. Emma hears from Senator Mary Seery Kearney who is campaigning for surrogate women to be given refuge in Ireland and from Rend Plantings who was due to return there this month for her next round of IVF. Last year, just 5% of the classical music pieces performed worldwide were written by women. That’s the highest percentage recorded to date. When the violinist Ellie Consta found this out, she decided to do something about it and has brought together a string orchestra called Her Ensemble to perform a range of music written by women – both pop and classical. They are performing at Stollen Hall in Manchester tomorrow night and Ellie joins me now along with another violinist and member of the group, Sarah Daramy-Williams. Anne Dickson's book, A Woman in your own Right: The art of assertive, clear and honest communication, was first published 40 years ago. It has been in print ever since. Anne joins Emma to outline the skills and techniques she pioneered and to discuss why she believes they are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago. The Glomama Awards are the first people’s choice awards celebrating motherhood. Today we meet the founder – Agnes Agyepong – and one of this year’s winners. Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lucinda Montefiore