Helen Lewis on Woman's Hour now Friday 28/2

[AbsintheFriends]

Such a great, broad ranging discussion about feminism (to promote her book 'Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights')

Really interesting, taking in the significance and impact of female biology, the importance of women standing together whether they like each other or not, mentioning the political battles women have fought and the challenges they faced in doing it, and the disdain some younger 'feminists' have for the second-wavers. So much more than this - I'm paraphrasing whilst listening!

Well worth a listen, if you've missed it. Helen Lewis is brilliant.

Just caught it. Excellent Helen.

I'm going to need to listen again as I didn't fully catch the first bit. I was torn between outrage at some of the things she mentioned - the bit about the background to the first women's refuges being set up! - and air punching that this is being talked about so eloquently just when we need a reminder of what feminism really is and why it MATTERS.

Fleet Street bars not serving women in the 19fucking80’s had my jaw on the floor. Saloon only.

It was terrific. Well worth a listen.

Did anyone else get a sense of Jenni Murray taking care for the conversation not to stray into difficult territory?

1996: I booked a double glazing salesman to come for a quote - and was horrified when he asked me where my husband was, as they weren't happy dealing with "just the wife".

"The wife" took her business elsewhere.

2013 blind salesman would not come out and give me a quote without my husband there. Still happening.

Helen Lewis was good.

• he was selling blinds, he was not blind, for clarification.

I'll have to listen again when I can. Sounds great.

Forum internum which is on now is similarly interesting! Freedom of thought in the Internet age. How thoughts are influenced. The right someone has to their own inner world and conscience v how social media influence and track thoughts / data. Political persuasion. Do we have laws that help to prevent invasion of freedom of thought. A QC is analysing the law. 3 parts.

How can you have freedom of speech without freedom of thought...

Yes, I think Jenni Murray must have gone into work this morning repeating to herself 'must remain neutral, must remain neutral'. But actually, there was no need to be anything else because Helen Lewis covered it all, factually and concisely.

It was fantastic to have a discussion entirely focused on women's rights, women's history, women's experiences, women's biology and its significance. In that context, a brief mention of the 'a woman is anyone who identifies as one' movement was all that was needed to outline the outrageousness of women having to fight for spaces and laws to protect their safety and meet their specific needs AGAIN.

(I also had the double glazing experience! Astonishing to think this was still happening in 2013 Melioration. I was also shocked to realise that when I got married in 1991 my husband would have had the legal right to rape me whenever he wanted.)

Thanks I'll listen to this, I love Helen Lewis and how she really gets into the complicated stuff. I'll add her book to the reading list.

Just ordered her book on Amazon...hardback currently on offer for £12.31