Woman's Hour - 13/07/2009

With Jane Garvey. Nigerian writer Chika Unigwe became curious of the African prostitutes she saw working on the streets of Belgium where she lives. To find out more, she donned a pair of thigh-high boots and a mini skirt, and went to talk to the women. She shares the stories she heard with Jane, and talks about how they inspired her first novel. The Woman's Hour drama is The Pursuits of Darleen Fyles, a journey through the unique life of a young woman with learning disabilities. It includes a truly remarkable performance from Donna Lavin in the lead role - who herself has learning difficulties. Jane talks to Donna about playing the part. There's been good news for lovers of cod; stocks in the North Sea are thought to have increased by five per cent over the last year. But how can consumers reconcile this information with the concerns conservation groups have about the long-term impact of commercial global fishing? Jane is joined by Rupert Howes from the Marine Stewardship Council and Phillip MacMullen from Seafish, which represents the UK seafood industry. With a generation of head teachers approaching retirement, the National College for School Leadership is calling on more women to take up leadership roles. Latest statistics show that only 37 per cent of secondary school heads are female, although 59 per cent of secondary teachers are women. Why are women reluctant to take up these leadership roles, where does the next generation of heads come from? Jane will be discussing the issues.