Women and their relationships with light

On this Easter Monday edition of Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4 explores the profound relationship women have with light, both biologically and culturally. Host Nikki Badey opens the programme by highlighting the seasonal shift from darkness to light, linking it to spring, Easter, and Passover. The episode delves into the science of light with GP Dr Radha Modgil, who explains how natural daylight regulates mood through serotonin and melatonin, resets circadian rhythms, and supports vitamin D production. She also notes that women are more sensitive to light exposure and at greater risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) due to lower daytime light exposure. The discussion then turns to women shaping the field of lighting design, with award-winning lighting designer Paulie Constable and architectural lighting director Ruth Kelly-Woskett sharing their passion for light as both art and science. They reflect on the gender imbalance in the field, the emotional and psychological power of light, and the importance of natural daylight in buildings and wellbeing. Farmers Sinead Fenton and Lorna Burge describe how their daily routines and animal husbandry are governed by the sun’s rhythm. The programme also explores ancient myths and prehistoric sites like Newgrange and Stonehenge, where sunlight was central to spiritual and communal life. Finally, composer Cecilia McDowell discusses how she translates the arrival of dawn and spring into music, using bird sounds, choral textures, and symbolic motifs like the Easter Alleluia. The episode closes with a reflection on light as a universal symbol of renewal, resilience, and connection across time and culture.