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Woman's Hour: Artist, Elsa James; Forced adoption and unmarried mothers; Ukrainian refugees; Chef, Fatmata Binta

15/07/2022

Artist, Elsa James; Forced adoption and unmarried mothers; Ukrainian refugees; Chef, Fatmata Binta

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Artist, Elsa James; Forced adoption and unmarried mothers; Ukrainian refugees; Chef, Fatmata Binta

The lives of historical black female figures who made their homes in Essex.

The artist and feminist activist Elsa James explores her identity as a black woman living in Essex for the last 20 years.

A formal apology should be issued by the government to the thousands of unmarried mothers in England and Wales who had their babies taken for adoption in the 50s, 60s, 70s. In a report published today, the Joint Committee on Human Rights says the Government bears ultimate responsibility for the pain and suffering caused by public institutions and state employees that railroaded mothers into those unwanted adoptions. Harriet Harman MP is Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

Fulani chef Fatmata Binta has won the world's most prestigious gastronomy prize, the 2022 Basque Culinary World Prize, an international achievement award for chefs who improve society through food.   Fatmata is the first African to receive the award, and won for her work celebrating nomadic food culture and exploring west African cuisine through her Dine on a Mat pop-up restaurant.

What shape does a life take after fleeing a war? It's nearly five months since Russia invaded Ukraine and families across the UK are trying to redefine their 'normal' after being displaced. Many will be housed in temporary accommodation; others will be living with host families. While safety and the promise of a new home will bring comfort and relief, sharing a domestic space with strangers can bring its own set of challenges. Anastasia Skelton is an Ukrainian living in the UK who is currently volunteering as a coordinator in Canterbury, helping to match refugees with host families. And Kate Daniels is a family therapist and senior lecturer in clinical psychology at Christchurch University. She has set up a project to equip host families with the emotional skills necessary to make the transition as easy as possible for the people displaced by war.

The artist and feminist activist Elsa James tells us about exploring her identity as a black woman living in Essex in her latest exhibition 'Othered in a Region that has Been Historically Othered'. She has lived in the county for more than 20 years but asks ‘Is being in Essex diluting my black identity’? She also examines the lives of historical black female figures as well the women who came over as nurses as part of Windrush and who made their homes in Essex.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Kirsty Starkey

Interviewed Guest: Harriet Harman
Interviewed Guest: Veronica Smith
Interviewed Guest: Fatmata Binta
Interviewed Guest: Anastasia Skelton
Interviewed Guest: Kate Daniels
Interviewed Guest: Elsa James
Film Still: Andy Delaney

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