We're kicking off 2026 by focusing on the rise of singlehood; where an increasing number of people are living without any romantic relationship at all. The Economist has reported that among Americans aged 25 to 34, the number of people living without a spouse or partner has doubled over the past five decades, reaching 50 percent of men and 41 percent of women. Since 2010, the proportion of people living alone has increased in 26 of the world's 30 richest countries.

In a special edition, we focus on childbirth and how much control women really do have over the process. In France, doulas have become increasingly popular in recent years. They provide emotional and practical support during pregnancy and birth, but not medical assistance. So where do doulas fit into the childbirth experience; and how can we better empower women giving birth? Annette Young puts these questions to Professor Soo Downe, a midwifery specialist from the University of Lancashire, and to Charlotte Brielle, founder and executive director of Wombs of the World, an NGO promoting the use of doulas.

Four people have been arrested over the hacking of 120,000 home security cameras in South Korea, whose footage was used to make sexually exploitative material. It's the latest episode in an ongoing battle by authorities to end illicit electronic spying on women and girls. In Pakistan, a spate of TikTok femicides has sparked a national debate over the growing online visibility of Pakistani women. Also arm-wrestling and weightlifting are surging in popularity among French women as they're seen to boost both physical and mental health.

LinkedIn, the social media platform with which professionals connect and network, has found itself in hot water after a surprising experiment revealed signs of bias against women. Also competition is woven into nearly every part of our lives; but do we really need it at work or even in our daily routines? Annette Young talks to author, Ruchika Malhotra, whose latest book is entitled "Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success". Plus the countdown is on for French female astronaut, Sophie Adenot, who will be heading to the International Space Station in the coming months.

Annette Young talks to Pagan Kennedy, the journalist who uncovered that a woman originally invented the rape kit, even though a man had long been credited with the idea. Also, as we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, a victory of sorts for the survivors of the late convicted pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein. After months of mounting pressure, US President Donald Trump has now signed a bill allowing for the release of files on the sexual assault and rape of hundreds of women and girls. Plus, the NGO in Zanzibar which is teaching local women to become solar power technicians.

In a reminder that no woman is safe; Mexico's first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is the victim of a public sexual assault. Our team in Mexico report on how the attack has triggered a national reckoning. Also how Pakistan is one of the countries hardest hit by period poverty. Sanitary products are taxed while almost 44 percent of women and girls lack access to the most basic resources needed to manage their periods. Plus in France, how a wave of influencers are turning everyday construction projects into inspiration, motivating women to try their hand at DIY.

As the COP30 climate talks kick off in Belém, Brazil, we showcase the women at the forefront of the fight against the climate crisis; a struggle that continues to affect women and children disproportionately. According to the UN, climate change could push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty by 2050 – 16 million more than the number of men and boys. Annette Young speaks to climate activist Camille Étienne, often described as the "French Greta Thunberg", as she and her all-female crew sail to Brazil for this crucial summit. We also meet Vanda Witoto, an Indigenous climate activist from the Brazilian Amazon, and Binta Wane in Senegal, who is transforming wastelands into thriving vegetable gardens.

In a special edition, we focus on the power of testimony – and nowhere is that more evident than in the case of the late Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted paedophile. His crimes, and those of his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell – who's currently behind bars – continue to have far-reaching consequences to this very day. Following Buckingham Palace's announcement that King Charles III's brother Andrew will be stripped of his princely title over his friendship with Epstein, Annette Young talks to Jess Michaels, herself a survivor of rape by Epstein, and Lucia Osborne-Crowley, a journalist and author who covered the Maxwell trial. 

It is 25 years since the UN Security Council signed a historic agreement linking gender equality to the maintenance of international peace and security. But the world is now facing the highest number of active conflicts since 1946, creating unprecedented risks for women and girls. Yet only one in ten peace talks in the past year included female negotiators. Annette Young talks to Chris Coulter, Executive Director of the Berghof Foundation, who has more than 20 years’ experience in conflict resolution and is a former adviser to the Swedish Foreign Ministry, and Lyric Thompson, CEO of the Feminist Foreign Policy Collaborative in Paris, ahead of the Feminist Foreign Policy Conference. Also, as the war in Ukraine continues and European nations grow increasingly concerned about Russian aggression, Denmark has now begun drafting women into its armed forces.

It's an industry tipped to be worth more than a trillion dollars in the coming decade. Femtech refers to technology-driven solutions for women's health, covering areas such as reproductive health, pregnancy care and menopause management. Marina Gerner, the author of "The Vagina Business", joins Annette Young to discuss the rapidly growing industry that's revolutionising women's health. Also, marking the 30th anniversary of a groundbreaking UN conference on women's rights, China touts its progress on gender equality. But its approach to feminist activism paints a very different picture.

In the US, the gender pay gap widens again for the second year in a row. Annette Young asks financial journalist, Josie Cox, why there is a U-turn after decades of the pay gap shrinking? Plus in Mexico City, a new museum explores the early life of iconic artist, Frida Kahlo. Also in Syria, a group of brave women speak to FRANCE 24 about sexual violence during 13 years of war in a powerful new documentary.

It is two years since Hamas attacked Israeli communities along the Gaza border. In response, Israel launched a devastating war in the Palestinian territory. We take a closer look at the heavy toll this conflict has had on Palestinian women and girls. Also, in 2024, Belgium's groundbreaking law gave sex workers full employment rights. Our team on the ground report on whether the law is really working. Plus Verdi's 19th-century opera "Aida" returns to Paris with a fresh, modern twist in a new production by Iranian artist Shirin Neshat.

With Paris Fashion Week upon us, we look at an industry that while largely targeting women, is rarely led by them. This year, just two women have been appointed as new creative directors of major fashion houses despite an incredible shake-up in the industry. So how is it that in 2025, men are still in charge of women's fashion? Annette Young is joined by Dana Thomas, a fashion journalist and Emilie Hammen, a fashion historian and the new director of Palais Galliera, to discuss the unstitching of progress in the industry. We also report on how body positivity, where models of all sizes, ages and colour took to the runway, now seems to be out of fashion.

As Taliban restrictions leave Afghan women without medical care after a deadly earthquake, we have a report from one rare hospital in Kabul where women are still able to access treatment. Also, at least nine French families are suing the government over ignored pleas for help by victims of domestic violence. Annette Young talks to psychologist, Dr Andreea Gruev-Vintila, a specialist in coercive control, on the need for authorities to change their approach. Plus a new expedition is seeking to find out what happened to American aviator, Amelia Earhart, who vanished in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world.

Sudan is now facing famine as civil war continues to ravage the country. It’s become the world's worst humanitarian crisis; displacing close to 13 million people. This as rape is being used as a weapon of terror. Annette Young speaks to Sudanese activist, Hala al-Karib, about efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable. Also French cinema icon, Gérard Depardieu, is facing further sexual assault charges. Plus Algerian athlete, Imane Khelif, will not be participating in this year's World Boxing Championships, following the introduction of gender testing in the sport.

In a special edition marking the start of a new season, we dive into an issue increasingly alarming governments around the world: a global decline in birthrates. A recent joint study by UNFPA and YouGov — spanning 14 countries and covering 37 percent of the world’s population — reveals a stark trend: fertility rates have dropped below 2.1 births per woman in over half of the nations surveyed. That's the critical threshold needed to maintain population levels without immigration.

Despite the old adage that a woman's place is in the kitchen, the world of gastronomy tells a different story. In France, while women make up 35 percent of professional kitchen staff, only 19 percent of chefs are female. But a shift is clearly underway with the likes of industry innovators such as Laetitia Visse, the chef and owner of La Femme du Boucher in Marseille who has bravely spoken out against abusive work environments; Georgiana Viou, the first woman of colour and from an immigrant background to win a Michelin star in France, and Manon Fleury, a champion of both organic cuisine and female empowerment. These women generously opened up their kitchens -- and their stories -- to Annette Young.

In a special edition, we focus on the plight of migrants, particularly women and children who make the perilous journey from French shores to the UK. It is an issue that has redrawn Britain's political landscape. This as the number of migrants arriving on the UK southern coastline reach unprecedented levels. Britain and France have finalised a deal on how to reduce the numbers, with the UK accepting some asylum seekers but returning others to France.

French police have issued a warning about a significant jump in the number of teenage prostitutes in France; saying the numbers have increased by as much as 70 percent in the last five years. Also how in the face of ongoing repression by the Taliban, more and more Afghan women are converting their frustration into creativity, using art as a silent but powerful form of resistance. Plus we meet Sophie Adenot, the second French female astronaut who's set to blast off into space next year and is in the midst of a rigorous training programme.

How statistics are revealing a preference for boys is dropping rapidly, even in regions where it used to be the strongest. Annette Young asks Swedish sociologist, Lisa Eklund, why this is happening. Also UK MPs have voted in favour of a legislative amendment that should decriminalize abortion in England and Wales, and stop any woman facing criminal charges if she chooses to end her pregnancy. Plus how an artist's studio in southern Morocco is providing crucial paid employment to local women who create collaborative works of textile art.