Are women the stronger sex?
Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to female scientists from South Africa and Australia on the different strengths of men and women, from fighting disease to throwing a ball.
The weaker sex? The fairer sex? The female body has often been viewed as less strong and less powerful than that of men. Datshiane Navanayagam meets two female scientists who are challenging that assumption. They reveal the ways in which women’s bodies actually come out on top.
Starre Vartan is an Australian science journalist, based in America. In her book The Stronger Sex she explores the different areas where women have the physical edge over men, from endurance events to immune response.
Marlo Möller is Professor of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Her research explores why women appear to be better at fighting off and surviving diseases like tuberculosis.
Produced by Hannah Sander
On radio
Broadcasts
- Mon 27 Jul 202603:32GMTBBC World Service
- Mon 27 Jul 202612:32GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
- Mon 27 Jul 202617:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Mon 27 Jul 202621:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
- Mon 27 Jul 202622:32GMTBBC World Service Europe and the Middle East
- Sat 1 Aug 202616:32GMTBBC World Service News Internet
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