Poets: Charly Cox and Nikita Gill, Premature babies and crocheted octopuses, Scarlett Curtis

Available for over a year

Thursday is National Poetry Day and this year’s theme is ‘change.’ Jenni speaks to two young, female poets about how they are using their work to challenge societal norms and spark difficult conversations. Nikita Gill’s poetry focuses on female empowerment and Charly Cox writes about mental health. What do the deaths of four high profile Iraqi women in the last few months tell us about the current situation for women there? Jenni is joined by Belkis Wille, Senior Iraq and Qatar Researcher at Human Rights Watch and Hanna Edwar, Human Rights Activist from Baghdad. Scarlett Curtis’s new book Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies) aims to bridge the gap between feminist hashtags and scholarly texts. Featuring essays and contributions from A-listers like Emma Watson, Gemma Arterton and Keira Knightley, the book includes angry manifestos, surreal fiction and harrowing accounts of rape, self-harm and eating disorders. Scarlett explains why and how she persuaded some of the world’s most famous women to contribute. In 60 UK hospitals, vulnerable premature babies are grasping the tentacles of a little crocheted octopus and it seems to be good for them.Emma and Mark Ripley were among the first parents in the UK to receive a crocheted octopus for their son Luke. Reporter, Blanche Girouard went to meet them at an event held for crocheting volunteers at Mortlake Crematorium. Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Kirsty Starkey Interviewed Guest: Belkis Wille Interviewed Guest: Hanaa Edwar Interviewed Guest: Scarlett Curtis Interviewed Guest: Emma Ripley Interviewed Guest: Mark Ripley Interviewed Guest: Nikita Gill Interviewed Guest: Charly Cox Reporter: Blanche Girouard