Mali musician Fatoumata Diawara

Every hour, more than three babies in the UK are born to a parent who is dependent on alcohol. To help protect the children of those addicted to either alcohol or drugs, the NSPCC has set up a home visiting service to help these people improve their parenting skills. The NSPCC's Parents Under Pressure programme is based on a model developed in Australia, they have eleven centres across the UK. Jane speaks to Sharon Dawe, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Griffith University in Australia and co-founder of the Parents Under Pressure programme and Chris Cuthbert, head of strategy and development at the NSPCC.

In reaction to the current unrest in Mali, the singer Fatoumata Diawara gathered over 40 of the country’s most renowned musicians to record a song calling for peace. She says she wants an end to the violence, and calls for greater rights and emancipation of women, who she says are being turned into refugees. Despite the country’s powerful musical heritage, music has now been banned by Islamists in their push for sharia law, making this a daring move for a female singer. Fatoumata Diawara explains why she wants to use the power of music to bring an end to the conflict, and to help women all across Mali, and plays her song Alama live in the studio.

Fatoumata Diawara is performing with Angelique Kidjo at WOW – the Women Of the World Festival - at Southbank Centre in London on Friday 8 March. Mali-ko, by Voices United for Mali, will be released soon, with all proceeds going to charity.

Fatoumata Diawara & Voices United for Mali 

The majority of women with qualifications in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects do not work in these areas. The stumbling block is not just encouraging women into these areas, but getting them to return after a career break. Jane is joined by Professor Lesley Yellowlees, the first female President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and Dr Katie Perry, Chief Executive of the Daphne Jackson Trust who offer help to those with a background in science, engineering and technology to return to work after a minimum of two years.

The Daily Mail described it as ‘one of the most gruesome criminal investigations since the days of Jack the Ripper’. In the summer of 1946 details of the sadistic murders of two women by the charming but deadly ex-RAF playboy Neville Heath both horrified and fascinated the country.   Sean O’Connor examines the case from the perspectives of the women in his life – his wife, his mother, his lovers and his victims.  He joins Jane to discuss Neville Heath - war hero, conman and killer. 

Handsome Brute – The Story of a Ladykiller is published by Simon and Schuster on 14 February