The wempower’s Podcast

Her Body. Her Performance. Her Power. Dr. Lamia Zafrani on Women’s health in Sports

Female athletes are achieving more than ever, yet too often the systems designed to support them were never built with their bodies in mind. Menstrual cycles are misunderstood. Pregnancy forces many to step back rather than be supported. Injuries linked to female physiology remain under-researched. Performance and wellbeing are treated like two separate stories. This needs to change.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lamia Zafrani, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, powerlifter, and Perinatal Practitioner of the Year 2025. She has spent more than 15 years driving forward a new approach to women’s sports health. One that recognises strength and science must go hand in hand. One that prioritises athletes not as “small men” but as women with unique physiology, hormones, and needs.

Dr. Zafrani shares her personal journey into medicine and sport, the reality of caring for female athletes across all stages of life, and why better healthcare policies and performance programs are essential if women are to reach their true potential on the field.

This conversation is a reminder that progress in women’s sport is not only about visibility or medals. It is about the right support, the right knowledge, and the right to be healthy while chasing ambition.

Tune in and be part of the shift toward a future where women can perform at their peak without compromising their bodies or their power.

 

* This podcast episode is part of the new series “Level the Playing Field: The Untold Stories of Women in Sport.” Each Monday, we publish a new story highlighting the women reshaping the world of sport — on and off the field. To read more inspiring stories of everyday women making a real difference in the world, be sure to check out the latest edition of Wempower magazine, or listen to our podcast. *

From Vision to Impact

Jasmine Sayyari on Shaping Gen Z’s Careers

In this episode of the Wempower Podcast, we sit down with Jasmine Sayyari, founder of New Generation Network (NGN) and the mind behind Chanci AI, to explore how technology, mentorship, and community are shaping the future of work for Gen Z.

Jasmine shares her journey as an entrepreneur, the challenges she faced in building a tech-driven platform for career development, and her vision for creating opportunities that are both inclusive and empowering. We dive into how AI tools like Chanci AI are transforming career planning by combining psychology, skills assessment, and CV analysis to help young professionals discover unexpected career paths.

We also discuss the importance of mentorship, peer support, and inclusivity in preparing the next generation for rapidly changing industries, as well as Jasmine’s advice for women entering male-dominated fields. Looking ahead, Jasmine offers insight into how NGN is evolving to meet the needs of a workforce increasingly shaped by AI.

This conversation is all about innovation, empowerment, and building a future of work where no one is left behind.

Fighting from Exile

Malalai's voice for Afghan Women 

 

In the final episode of our Women on the Move series, Malalai—a courageous Afghan humanitarian and mother—shares her powerful journey of forced displacement, resilience, and continued activism for Afghan women under Taliban rule. From the fall of Kabul to building a new life in exile, her voice is a call to action and remembrance.

To protect her identity and safety, certain important details have been intentionally omitted. This is an audio-only episode, inviting you to listen closely to her voice and testimony.

This episode concludes our special series exploring the intersection of gender and migration. Discover more at www.wempower.co or follow us @wempoweruk.

From Survivor to Advocate. Adama Nyama Bah's Powerful Journey for Women's Health

Trigger Warning: This podcast episode discusses sensitive topics, including sexual violence, FGM and abuse.

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

 

In this deeply moving and impactful episode, we sit down with Adama Nyama Bah, the founder and director of the Women's Health Advocacy Network (WHAN). Adama, a survivor of sexual violence from Sierra Leone's Civil War and a victim of FGM, shares her extraordinary journey and her unwavering commitment to supporting women and girls who have endured unimaginable trauma.

Adama's story is one of resilience and determination. From her own experiences of navigating the devastating aftermath of violence to her tireless advocacy for marginalized women, she illuminates the urgent need for systemic change and trauma-informed care. We delve into the critical work of WHAN, exploring how the organization provides life-changing support, including emergency assistance, mental health services, and empowerment programs.

Adama passionately discusses the barriers faced by survivors, particularly those from migrant and marginalized communities, highlighting the lack of culturally sensitive services and the urgent need for training in maternal health. She also addresses the importance of engaging men and broader communities in the fight against gender-based violence.

This episode is a powerful call to action, shedding light on the urgent need for funding and support for WHAN's vital work. Adama's voice is a beacon of hope, inspiring survivors to break the silence and seek help and challenging us all to create a world where every woman's voice is heard and her needs are met.

Health Inequalities for Black Women: Breaking Barriers in Healthcare with Simphiwe Sesane

Welcome to Fobbed Off & Female, Wempower’s special series on medical misogyny. In this episode, journalist Rebecca Crockett speaks with Simphiwe Sansani, medical educator, nurse consultant, and founder of Black Nurses and Midwives UK.

They discuss the pressing issue of health inequalities for Black women in the UK, the systemic barriers they face, and how we can work towards real health equity. From representation in the NHS to mentorship and career development, this conversation sheds light on the power of community and advocacy in healthcare.

🔗 Follow Wempower for more stories challenging gender bias in medicine https://wempower.co/

Endometriosis Beyond the Binary

An interview with Lois Shearing, Senior Sex and Relationships Writer at Cosmopolitan UK

We’re diving into a vital and long-overdue conversation with Lois Shearing, Senior Sex and Relationships Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, to explore the realities of endometriosis beyond the binary.

For too long, endometriosis has been framed as a “women’s disease,” leaving many sufferers overlooked and underdiagnosed. In this episode, Lois unpacks the gendered biases in healthcare and the urgent need for more inclusive, affirming care for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people with endometriosis.

🔹 Why is endometriosis still so misunderstood and misdiagnosed?
🔹 How does gender bias shape who gets access to treatment?
🔹 What needs to change for a truly inclusive approach to reproductive health?

This is essential listening for healthcare professionals, advocates, and anyone pushing for a more inclusive medical system.

🎧 Tune in now & join the conversation!

Remember to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth explorations of the realities of healthcare and gender.

Contraception, Menopause, and Everything In Between: What Do We Really Know?

Interview with Kate Muir, novelist and journalist

 

We’re kicking off our brand-new series, Fobbed Off and Female, with an unmissable conversation featuring Kate Muir—novelist, journalist, and fierce advocate for women's health.

Kate, author of Everything You Need to Know About The Menopause and The Pill, has been instrumental in breaking the silence around medical misogyny. In this episode, she shares eye-opening insights into the systemic biases in healthcare, from the hidden dangers of hormonal contraception to the neglect of menopause in medical research.

We also discuss her upcoming book, How to Have a Magnificent Midlife Crisis (out this summer!), which challenges outdated perceptions of aging and women’s health.

🔹 How much do we know about the pill’s impact on mental health?
🔹 Why is female contraception not held to the same safety standards as male contraception?
🔹 What’s the Pope Rule—and how has it shaped access to birth control?

This is essential listening for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and anyone ready to challenge the status quo.

🎧 Tune in now & join the conversation!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on the realities of women's healthcare. 

#MedicalMisogyny #KateMuir #Menopause #Contraception

When Water Comes at a Cost Cecilia Ayot’s Fight Against Sextortion in Kenya

• Kenya is facing a deepening water crisis, with 15 million people lacking access to safe water and 37 million without proper sanitation. As droughts intensify, water scarcity is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who are often forced into dangerous situations just to secure this basic necessity.

  In this episode, we speak with Cecilia Achieng Ayot, a feminist activist and former member of the Nairobi County Assembly, who has dedicated her life to fighting against water cartels and the inhumane practice of sextortion—where women and girls are coerced into exchanging sex for water.

  Having experienced this reality firsthand growing up in Kibera, Cecilia shares her powerful journey from survival to activism, her fight to criminalize sextortion, and the ongoing struggle for women’s dignity and economic empowerment in Kenya. Her story is a testament to resilience and the urgent need for systemic change in the face of gendered violence and climate injustice.

 

Liberia Uncovered: Bettie Mbayo on Media Independence and Women’s Voices

Meet Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo, a fearless investigative journalist fighting for truth in Liberia—a country grappling with corruption, gender inequality, and threats to press freedom.

Bettie’s incredible journey has taken her from founding her school’s press club to exposing systemic corruption and launching The Stage Media, a platform that champions transparency and amplifies survivors’ voices.

Discover the full story of her resilience, courage, and vision for a Liberia where journalists work free from harassment, and media independence thrives.

Lyanne Nicholl: Empowering Women for Political Change

An interview with the CEO of 50:50 Parliament

We are thrilled to feature Lyanne Nicholl, CEO of 50:50 Parliament, a passionate advocate for gender equality in political representation. With over 17 years of experience in the charity sector, Lyanne shares her journey and the pivotal moments that led her to lead 50:50 Parliament, an organization working tirelessly to break down the barriers preventing women from entering political life.

In our conversation, Lyanne discusses the challenges women face when entering politics, the progress made in recent years, and the important campaigns 50:50 Parliament is spearheading to accelerate gender parity. A particular focus is on their Ask Her To Stand campaign, which encourages women from all backgrounds to step up and consider running for office. She also shares the organization's vision for a more inclusive political landscape and their ongoing efforts to push for systemic changes in Parliament to attract and retain top female talent.

Join us as we delve into the strategies, campaigns, and achievements driving the push for gender equality in politics, and hear Lyanne’s insights on the future of political representation in the UK and beyond.

Don’t miss this inspiring episode!