BBC Radio 4 will broadcast a special anniversary edition of Woman's Hour from Glasgow Women's Library on 7 October to mark 80 years of the programme. Presenter Nuala McGovern will lead the broadcast, which incorporates archival material and a commissioned work by poet Hollie McNish. The episode will release new polling data regarding how women use their voices in current contexts and the specific areas where they feel silenced.
The programme first aired in October 1946 and was promoted on the front cover of the Radio Times. The debut episode was presented by Alan Ivimey and focused on domestic topics, including a segment on mother's midday meals. Joan Griffiths succeeded Ivimey as the first female presenter of the show. The production received over 1,000 listener letters during its first month of broadcasting.
The programme has been hosted by a succession of broadcasters including Jean Metcalfe, Sue MacGregor, Martha Kearney, Jenni Murray, Jane Garvey, and Emma Barnett. Current presenting duties are shared by Anita Rani and Nuala McGovern. Early episodes featured music requests from listeners, including tracks by Vera Lynn and Bing Crosby.
The 80th anniversary broadcast focuses on the theme Use Your Voice. Nuala McGovern accessed the BBC Archives to review the original 1946 script for the anniversary preparations. The programme continues to use listener contributions and interviews as a primary source of content. The first episode of Woman's Hour was broadcast in 1946.