Main content

Crowdfunding Cosmetic Surgery

The women using crowdfunding to pay for cosmetic surgery, the reasons behind clothes choices, and whether the gut is the most neglected part of the body. With Jane Garvey.

An increasing number of British women are signing up to a US website that allows women to raise money for breast implants. Jane Garvey talks to Natalie who recently funded her surgery through the site and to Brian who's a donor. Plus the sex columnist for The Times Suzi Godson, on her reservations about the site especially for women with low self-esteem and those who may be suffering from body dysmorphia.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, over 20 percent of women living there reported that their first sexual experience was rape.. Phoebe Tansley, is the founder of AND - Attacked Not Defeated, a charity with volunteers based in London and Uganda which hopes to open up facilities offering both physical and mental help for victims.

Giulia Enders is a 25 year-old medicine student and author of 'Gut: the inside story of our body's most under-rated organ', which argues that the gut has been unfairly neglected and that we're only now beginning to truly understand its power.

Plus what made you choose the clothes you're wearing today? Did you want to feel powerful, attractive, comfortable, clean? Or to fit in with the people you work with? Leanne Shapton is one of the authors of a book - Women in Clothes - which explores the questions we ask ourselves while getting dressed every day.

Presenter Jane Garvey
Producer Beverley Purcell.

Available now

54 minutes

Last on

Wed 6 May 2015 10:00

Chapters

  • Crowdfunding Breast Implants

    Duration: 11:07

  • Women In Clothes

    Duration: 08:32

  • Ugandan Rape Victims

    Duration: 12:28

  • Giulia Enders & The Gut

    Duration: 05:35

Crowdfunded Cosmetic Surgery

An increasing number of British women are signing up to a US website which allows women to raise money for breast implants by creating a profile with photos, chatting to men online, and explaining why they want larger breasts and why they cannot afford surgery. The donors, who are predominantly male, then buy ‘chat credits’ which allow them to talk to ‘the girls’ through private messages. The women receive a dollar for every message they receive, and can also receive donations. Natalie recently had free breast surgery after crowdfunding on the site – she explains how the site works and why she used it. We also talk to Brian who donates money for breast implants. Suzi Godson, the sex columnist for The Times, explains why she’s concerned these sites are dangerous to women’s self-esteem and provide no support for vulnerable girls who may suffer from body dysmorphia.

Women In Clothes

What made you put on the clothes you’re wearing when you got dressed this morning? Did you want to feel powerful, attractive, comfortable, clean? Or to fit in with the people you work with? Leanne Shapton is one of the authors of a book – Women in Clothes – which explores the questions we ask ourselves while getting dressed every day, with answers from more than six hundred women. One of them, therapist Kira Jolliffe also joins us.

Women in Clothes by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits, Leanne Shapton & 639 Others is published by Particular Books

Ugandan Rape Victims

Over 20 percent of women living in Uganda reported that their first sexual experience was rape. That’s according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. There are few facilities in Uganda that can offer help for rape victims both physically and mentally. Phoebe Tansley found that out first-hand, and so decided to set up her own charity, AND - Attacked Not Defeated - a charity with volunteers based in London and Uganda. In a frank conversation with Jane Garvey she talks about her work.  And Jane is also joined by Catherine Byaruhanga, the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú’s Correspondent for Uganda, to share some light on Uganda’s rape crisis.

Giulia Enders & The Inside Story Of The Gut

Giulia Enders is a 25 year old medical student and author of Gut: The Inside Story Of Our Body's Most Under-Rated Organ. In her debut book she argues that the gut has been unfairly neglected and it is only now that we are beginning to truly understand its power. With scientists finding new evidence that gut bacteria may be linked to various conditions from allergies to Alzheimer's, should we be paying more attention to what’s going on behind our belly buttons? Giulia Enders joins Jane live in the studio.

Gut: The Inside Story Of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ by Giulia Enders is published by Greystone Books

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jane Garvey
Interviewed Guest Phoebe Tansley
Interviewed Guest Catherine Byaruhanga
Interviewed Guest Suzi Godson
Interviewed Guest Giulia Enders
Interviewed Guest Leanne Shapton
Producer Beverley Purcell

Broadcast

  • Wed 6 May 2015 10:00

Follow us on Instagram

Get all the pictures, videos, behind the scenes and more from Woman’s Hour

Podcast