Women’s Rights Network

Send us Fan Mail Olympian Sharron Davies is joined by a trio panel of Susan Smith of 'For women Scotland', Kate Harris co-founder of LGB Alliance, and employment and discrimination law barrister Naomi Cunningham. This live event was co-hosted by WRN Wales and Merched Cymru. If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us Fan Mail Step behind the scenes for an exclusive look at the work of the Women’s Rights Network (WRN) and hear directly about one of its most significant recent campaigns. This session offers a unique opportunity to learn about WRN’s extensive Freedom of Information venture, to hold local councils across the nation, to account over their unlawful policies and practices. Beginning in May 2025, the project was launched in response to the landmark ruling in the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Over months of investigation, WRN volunteers gathered evidence from councils across the country, exposing the scale of non-compliance with the law. This work ultimately culminated in the powerful exposé report “The Waiting Shame”, which brings together the findings of this nationwide inquiry and highlights the consequences of these policies for women. You will also hear about the other strategies and actions being undertaken by WRN regional groups to force the attention of councils that are failing to uphold the law. Among these is the widely discussed WRN Leeds Deposition, an initiative that rapidly gained national attention after going viral online. If you are a woman who would like to get involved in the incredible work of WRN, visit: www.womensrights.network/join-wrn. Membership is free, and WRN has regional groups across the entire UK, offering opportunities for women to collaborate, organise, and take action locally. ==== Useful Link: WRN Leeds Deposition to council: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkZO9Tswqo0 If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us Fan Mail Heather Binning hosts guest Menno Kuijper, better known to the world as Mr Menno. Menno describes himself as a 'satirist, songwriter, performer, woo woo buster'. Menno takes us through his profound personal journey from a young gay man sympathetic to a seemingly innocuous gender movement to his startling realisation that it is unapologetically motivated by homphobia and mysogyny. A funny, honest, bittersweet account that is both touching and uplifting. Useful links: https://www.patreon.com/BadGaySuperGay If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us Fan Mail Heather Binning is joined by Michael Foran, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Oxford and Tutorial Fellow at Keble College, specialising in public law, equality, and anti-discrimination law. Drawing on cases including Sandie Peggie and the Good Law Project's latest challenge to EHRC guidance, Michael cuts through the legal complexity to explain — in plain language — what these developments mean and how they are being weighed by legal professionals. He also offers practical advice for anyone facing discrimination from an employer, or being refused service by event organisers as a gender-critical individual or group. Michael's first book, Equality Before the Law (Hart, 2023), won the Yorke Prize from Cambridge. His second book, Sex, Gender Identity, and the Law, is forthcoming from Cambridge University Press in 2026. === Useful Links: Michael’s Substack on the GLP appeal: https://knowingius.org Equality Act Schedule 3, Paragraph 26: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/schedule/3/paragraph/26/enacted/data.xht?view=snippet&wrap=true The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-sector-equality-duty-guidance-for-public-authorities/public-sector-equality-duty-guidance-for-public-authorities If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send a text This week, Heather Binning is joined by barrister Akua Reindorf KC to discuss the legal and institutional fallout from the Supreme Court’s April 2025 judgment. Akua was closely involved in the developments surrounding the case, both through her work as an Equality and Human Rights Commissioner and through her prominent role as a public legal commentator. Drawing on that experience, she reflects on the responsibilities of public bodies following a definitive ruling from the UK’s highest court. Akua argues that once the Supreme Court had clarified the law, public authorities and regulators had a clear and immediate duty to implement it promptly and transparently. Akua explains why, in her view, there is no legal justification for institutions to delay compliance or for the UK government to postpone the long-awaited Statutory Code of Practice, stressing that regulators cannot simply defer difficult decisions or wait for political consensus when the law itself has already been settled. === Useful Links: EHRC Codes of Practice: www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-2010/codes-practice/code-practice-services-public-functions-and-associations Akua’s X account: @akuareindorf If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send a text Faika El-Nagashi is the founder and director of the Athena Forum, a European initiative for sex-based rights, democratic values, and political courage. Political scientist, human rights advocate and former member of parliament in Austria, Faikia has spent over three decades advocating for women's rights within Europe. Faika explains the convoluted political structure within both the EU and the European Council, and how influential ideological fringe lobbyists and NGOs frustrate the recognition of sex-based rights. Useful Links: Athena Forum website: https://athena-forum.eu Council of Europe: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Join Heather Binning who hosts special guest Kemi Badenoch, Leader of HM Opposition, Leader of the UK Conservative Party and Conservative MP for North West Essex. After a career in IT and then in the financial sector, she turned her sights to politics, taking her seat in Parliament in 2017. Amongst her many roles in Government and in opposition, she has been Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi discusses the frustration elected representatives face when agenda driven activists are provided the loudest voice on Select committees that are failing in their duty to scrutinise government policy and performance without prejudice. WRN members questions are put to Kemi on topical issues such as the concerning impact on our younger generations accessing highly sexualised, degrading material via the internet, Bridget Phillipson's delay in approving the EHRC guidance, women’s rights as a focal electoral issue and the power of women supporting each other, regardless of political leaning. After a career in IT and then in the financial sector, she turned her sights to politics, taking her seat in Parliament in 2017. Amongst her many roles in Government and in opposition, she has been Minister for Women and Equalities . If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Heather Binning hosted this interview with two British sporting legends, Sharron Davies and Tracy Edwards. The refusal of so many sports bodies, regulators, unions (and currently the UK government) to recognise the importance of delivering fair sporting opportunities for women and girls, be it recreational or at elite level, inspired Sharron and Tracy to set up the Women’s Sports Union. A fascinating, inspiring interview filled with anecdotes, infuriating stats but most importantly, hope. Women’s Sports Union: https://www.womenssportsunion.com If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Join Heather Binning who hosts this week’s special guests Louise Irvine, co-chair of the Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender and Terry Patterson from Thoughtful Therapists. Louise and Terry explain why there are enormous concerns from sector experts regarding the ethical grounds and outcomes competence of the UK puberty blockers trial called ‘Pathway’, a medical trial which will involve around 220 children under the age of 16. We hear explanation of the scrutiny stages that UK clinical trials must successfully pass through in order to be granted approval, as well as questioning how this safety net has failed Useful Links ... Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender: https://can-sg.org Open Letter from CAN-SG: https://can-sg.org/2025/12/18/open-letter-to-wes-streeting-on-the-pathways-puberty-blockers-trial/ Thoughtful Therapists: https://www.thoughtfultherapists.org National Institute for Health and Care Research: https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR167530 Health Research Authority: https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/application-summaries/research-summaries/pathways-trial/ Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency Commission on Human Medicines: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/commission-on-human-medicines If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Claire Lonergan hosts this week’s guests, Jo Bartosch and Rob Jessel, co-authors of 'Pornocracy', a research rich expose of the neurological shifts caused by porn use, the normalisation of violent sexualised behaviour fed to our youth and the dystopian potential for A.I. to destroy the value of what it is to be human. Jo is a journalist who has written for the Telegraph, The Times, Unherd, Mail to name just a few national papers. Jo is also Assistant editor at The Critic. Rob Jessel is a communications consultant for the campaigning sector and co-founder of Fair Cop. He is Director of Campaign for Fair Procurement. Useful Links: Internet Watch Foundation: https://www.iwf.org.uk If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Elaine Miller is a pelvic health physiotherapist or as Elaine prefers, a 'fanny physio', who campaigns on women's health issues. Elaine frequently uses comedy as a public health tool, successfully connecting to target female audiences and highlighting serious conditions affecting female bodies that rarely receive the attention, and never the funding, needed to ensure women's quality of life is improved. Useful Links: Get A Grip: https://venusenvyxx.substack.com/p/get-a-grip-my-feminist-fanny-fundraiser?r=3mkmwi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true The Jean Hailes Foundation: https://www.jeanhailes.org.au Let’s Get Elected: Email - dangerousfemalesxx@gmail.com , Twitter account is @letsgetelected If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Hosted by Mary Howden of the Women’s Rights Network, this week’s special guest is Ash Regan, an Independent Member of the Scottish Parliament and fierce advocate for women’s rights. Ash’s Prostitution Bill seeks to criminalise the purchase of sex and provide support to help women exit prostitution. Ash describes prostitution as ”… a system of commercial sexual exploitation that targets the vulnerable”. Ash takes us through the excruciatingly slow process of attempting to get her bill considered, likening it to ”… trying to push treacle uphill …” We also hear how Ash Regan spectacularly resigned in order to vote against the Gender Recognition Reform bill. Among her continued work to protect and remove barriers to sex class equality, Ash has rigourously defended the Cass review and submitted a motion in parliament which called for surrogacy to be banned in Scotland. Useful Links: Proposed Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill: https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/proposals-for-bills/proposed-prostitution-offences-and-support-scotland-bill If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text A fascinating interview hosted by Claire Loneragan of the Women’s Rights Network with this week’s special guest, Jo Brew, a founding member of Women’s Declaration International (WDI), an international network of volunteer women dedicated to preserving female sex-based rights throughout the world. Jo takes us through her intriguing journey of feminist advocacy from her Cambridge university days, feminist magazine publishing, working in European academia and with Women in Development Europe, to the creation of WDI. We hear extensively about the structure and work of WDI, with its international country contacts and weekly guest contributors. Jo touches on how geopolitical shifts distinctly promote or push back against gender ideology cuture and the disturbing cementation into EU policies a generation ago, by powerfully positioned ideologues in Brussels. Jo Brew is a political commentator, podcaster and author with bestselling titles including Big Sister is Watching You! and, A New Operating System for Patriarchy … also, an enthusiastic gardener! Useful links: WDI website: https://www.womensdeclaration.com/en WDI Statement on wars: https://womensdeclaration.com/documents/480/WDI_Statement_on_Wars.pdf Feminist Question Time and, Radical Feminist perspectives: https://www.womensdeclaration.com/en/webinars If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Cathy Larkman of the Women’s Rights Network is joined by Graham Linehan direct from the USA for a no holes barred discussion about the cowardice of an entertainment industry that’s refused to condemn the abuse of children and vulnerable young people in a captured UK. Graham talks frankly about the betrayal of advocate voices such as his, made possible by the pernicious embedding of manic cancellation of those speaking the uncomfortable truth about the harms of gender ideology, a men’s sexual rights movement. Now residing in America, Graham explains why creative freedom to produce and perform comedic content comes far easier now he and his fellow writers are no longer constrained by the madness of gender cult worshipping. Please be advised there are a few sweary bits! If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Join us for a thoughtful yet entertaining interview with the greatly loved James Dreyfus; internationally acclaimed star of stage & screen, ex-husband of Julie Bindel (artistic license applied) and keeper of the legendary Hobbes. James speaks candidly about the sharp contradiction between the reality of homosexuality and the parasitical nature of trans ideology, as well as the immense impact for both aspiring and established actors due to a captured arts sector. We do hope James has now fully recovered from his cold. If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Sam Wright is a Senior Community Midwife and WRN Derbyshire & Staffordshire member. She is a powerful advocate for women as they go through their pregnancy and birthing journey. Sam begins with the history of midwives and takes us through the ages. She explains the meaning of the word "midwife" as being "with women" throughout their pregnancy. How midwives have been historically persecuted as witches, and in more modern times are marginalised and erased with the increasing medicalisation of pregnancy. She discusses how because of this women are losing trust in the medical profession and midwives. How the gender neutral language and the erasure of female specific words like "woman", "mother", "breastfeeding", have all impacted on women, including women whose first language is not English, who have no understanding of terms such as "birthing person". She goes on to discuss how midwives are impacted by the rise in commercial surrogacy in the UK and beyond, and what is really going on in the murky world of commissioning parents and baby manufacturing using women as the factory unit. If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text 2025 saw WRN hold our first ever Women’s festival in Derby. Organised by local WRN members in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, it attracted a large audience from across the UK. The Festival theme was Celebrating Grassroots Activism and we welcomed speakers and guests from England, Ireland , Scotland and Wales to give presentations on their local activities and tactics. Sorcha Nic Lochlainn is a Director of and Sports Spokeswoman for "The Countess Didn't Fight for This" a voluntary, non-partisan group - with members from all corners of Ireland - dedicated to defending women's rights and child safeguarding. Sorcha explained how the group became established in Ireland. If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text 2025 saw WRN hold our first ever Women’s festival in Derby. Organised by local WRN members in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, it attracted a large audience from across the UK. The Festival theme was Celebrating Grassroots Activism and we welcomed speakers and guests from England, Ireland , Scotland and Wales to give presentations on their local activities and tactics. Mary Howden is a former Head of Education and Workforce Development at the Scottish Social Services, Director of WRN, and Coordinator for WRN Scotland She talked about the journey taken by WRN Scotland to establish a grassroots women's movement. From small beginnings with 14 women working together to get their message out, to how they grew their membership to cover the whole of Scotland. If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text When a relationship breaks down and one parent relocates a child to another country without the ongoing consent of the other parent, the 1980 Hague Abduction Convention can be invoked. Anita Gera, co founder of Hague Explained joins the Women’s Rights Network to explain the key principles and little known pitfalls of the Convention that have resulted in an increasing number of mothers and children being ripped apart. A fascinating, disturbing expose of an international treaty that trumps all UK law and has the power to inflict irreparable damage on mothers and their children. If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Send us a text Julie Bindel joins WRN on Zoom to discuss defining lesbian culture. Julie is a feminist campaigner, writer, and investigative journalist. She is the host of The Lesbian Project podcast, with Kathleen Stock. She writes for Unherd, Observer, Sunday Times, The Critic, Spectator, Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, Tortoise, Prospect, and more. She is a keen broadcaster and travels far and wide to investigate stories which relate to misogyny. Her latest book is ‘Lesbians: where are we now?’ Part-memoir, part frontline reportage and part cultural commentary, Julie examines what defines lesbian culture, love, friendship and happiness today. She distinguishes the particular challenges facing lesbians from the very different experiences of gay men, and asks: why do lesbians so often seem to face particular hostility? Link to Julie’s UNHERD article on Yehudis Fletcher: https://unherd.com/2025/05/the-charedi-have-a-woman-problem/ If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you’d like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn