Baroness Jacqui Smith, Global manosphere, Working from bed

Baroness Jacqui Smith, Global manosphere, Working from bed

Author: BBC Radio 4 May 29, 2026 Duration: 57:29

What are the implications for girls and young women of Alan Milburn's review for the Government into rising levels of inactivity among 16 to 24-year-olds? There are currently just under a million young people in this age range dubbed NEETs because they are not in education, employment or training. Anita Rani speaks to former Labour Home Secretary Baroness Smith, now Minister for Skills, as well as Minister for Women and Equalities. A BBC investigation looks at on the global expansion of the manosphere and the social media algorithms which are driving young men towards increasingly extreme views on gender, relationships and masculinity. BBC Global Disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield examines the rise of two of the most influential manosphere figures in Latin American and Africa – El Temach in Mexico and, Andrew Kibe in Kenya. She joins Anita to tell her what it was like spending time with these influencers and about the women living with the real-life consequences of their influence. Would you ever consider working from your bed? Perhaps you do, by choice or otherwise? Dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite and The Archers Podcast's Emma Freud are both fans and join Anita.

Jodi Kantor is a Pulitzer-prize winning investigative journalist. In October 2017 she - alongside her colleague Megan Twohey - published a groundbreaking exposé in the New York Times detailing decades of sexual abuse allegations against the former film producer Harvey Weinstein - which galvanised the global MeToo movement. Jodi is back with a new book: How to Start, which is all about how to launch a career in uncertain times.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Corinna Jones


For decades, Woman's Hour from BBC Radio 4 has been a fixture in British life, creating a unique space where the experiences of women are centered and explored in full. This isn't just a series of interviews; it's a daily conversation that feels both urgent and timeless, tackling everything from front-page news and political shifts to intimate personal stories and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a diverse range of voices-activists, artists, scientists, politicians, and everyday people-to dissect the issues that shape society. You'll hear nuanced debates on health, family, work, and identity, alongside insightful discussions on books, music, and ideas that are defining our moment. The podcast captures all of this, offering a thoughtful and often challenging listen that refuses to simplify the complexities of modern life. It’s where a headline is unpacked with depth, a personal struggle is given context, and inspiration is found in unexpected places. Tuning into this podcast means joining a long-running dialogue that consistently informs, provokes thought, and connects the personal to the political, all through the lens of women's lives and perspectives.
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