Women will recognise the emotional and domestic labour of the festive period from cooking Christmas dinner, to sending cards, and buying and wrapping presents. In Ireland this weekend there's a celebration of 'Women's Christmas' - based on a tradition that appreciates the work done by women at this time. It's a holiday that's seeing growing support so where does the idea originate and what's its significance today? Women's history researcher Gillian Kenny and author Mary Morrissy discuss.

A man guilty of the manslaughter of two women he'd been in relationships with will be sentenced today for the murder of a third woman who had ended their relationship. How was Theodore Johnson able to kill again? Forensic criminologist Dr Jane Monckton-Smith says more must be done to protect women at risk from partners who are abusive or controlling - key factors in domestic homicide.

Beth Underdown's debut novel is based on the life of the 1640's witch-finder Matthew Hopkins. The story is narrated by Matthew's fictional sister, Alice, who is forced against her will to help Hopkins in identifying and prosecuting witches. Hopkins' instigated witch trials which led to the death of at least one hundred women across Eastern England. Beth joins Jenni to talk about collective madness, witches, women's rights and a particularly turbulent period in English history.

Presenter: Jenni Murray
Interviewed Guest: Gillian Kenny
Interviewed Guest: Mary Morrissy
Interviewed Guest: Jane Monckton-Smith
Interviewed Guest: Beth Underdown
Producer: Anne Peacock. Show less