Positive Solace with Attika Choudhary
In March 2020, the UK went into lockdown as did most of the world. As people reached out to Attika, about feeling anxious and confused, she wanted to do something helpful and the “Positive Solace” podcasts were born. Mental health has been her concern for some years and this led to the creation of a team which would make it happen.
Hosted by BBC’s Attika Choudhary, Positive Solace is a podcast that will empower your mind, spread positivity and wisdom. The guests are from different backgrounds, cultures, experience and learning. In their own, unique way they are doing what they can to help their community overcome the challenges and lead people to a better place. The conversations are not scripted: they are raw and show vulnerability and create a place where these voices can empower us all. So come join us as we laugh, get emotional and travel the world!
Positive Solace with Attika Choudhary
Force for Change with Siobhan Baillie MP
In this week’s episode of Positive Solace: Women of Vision, Attika interviews Siobhan Baillie, the first ever woman MP for Stroud.
Becoming an MP for the first time already has its challenges, but for Siobhan, the challenges were complicated by the fact that she was pregnant at the time of the election. Three months later, the Coronavirus pandemic forced people into lockdown and MPs had to do business from home. But Siobhan is no novice as far as the Internet is concerned.
Leaving home at the age of 15 and underperforming at her GCSEs, she often sofa-surfed at the houses of her friends before getting work as a secretary in a law firm. Then, luckily, they sponsored her to study for her solicitor's exams. As a solicitor, Siobhan was moved by families who struggled to pay for the services of people like herself, and she saw a lot to be desired in the divorce laws so she entered politics. First she won a seat as a borough councilor, and then as an MP in Westminster.
She is now working to change the laws regarding separating families and has been successful in creating a no-fault divorce. Alongside her work as an MP, Siobhan is one of those courageous enough to tackle online abuse and trolling, especially on behalf of susceptible young people. This includes working with the Stop The Hate Campaign and Clean up the Internet, two organisations challenging all forms of hate crime and discrimination.
Attika and Siobhan speak about the need for more female representation in UK politics, and the challenges that women politicians face every day. They discuss what can be done to combat abuse of women on social media, and how to help younger adults who are considering going into politics.
With thanks to the Positive Solace Team. Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode.
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