Women in research face funding gaps and career barriers. On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, ARA City Radio looks at efforts made in Luxembourg, speaking to the FNR and the University of Luxembourg.

Today on Local Matters, we explore the challenges parents face in finding family-friendly cafés in Luxembourg. Hear from Cecile, who created a new label certifying child-welcoming spaces, and visit Florence Café in the Gare area, one of the certified spots hosting an event for new moms this afternoon.

The city of Esch has introduced an online platform where citizens can easily request a meeting with a municipal officer or alderman. The initiative aims to strengthen the direct contact between the citizens and the politicians. In our interview on Local Matters, mayor Christian Weis (CSV) explains how the city of Esch aims to foster civic participation through this and other initiatives.

Passerell Asbl is crowdfunding to keep up their contact point for women and girls. In our interview on Local Matters, campaign manager Constanze Jacquemot explains why the support is necessary.

Franziska has invited Maribel Casas, director of the Luxembourg Center for Architecture Luca, to talk about their initiatives to involve the public in architectural planning. Tonight, Luca is hosting a lecture on affordable living, presenting different innovative examples from Europe.

Every day, racist incidents happen in Luxembourg, administrative procedures, during the job hunt or the search for housing. For Local Matters, Franziska interviewed Madeleine and Yolande from One People Asbl about discrimination during the search for housing.

The Esch Clinics have started in September. The initiative aims to reshape Esch into a model city for a just ecological transition, combining urban planning with political interventions and by integrating the voices and needs of the community. On Local Matters, César Reyes, one of the project leaders, explains how the project is going to overcome traditional ways of thinking urban spaces.

At nearly every party, personal limits are transgressed and partygoers experience harassment or violence. To end gender-based violence in nightlife, the association 4motion has joined the European project Crisscross. On Local Matters, Carlos and Alex from 4motion tell Franziska how they do this.

Young Philippine female entrepreneurs have started to preserve traditional crafts by working with local weavers and embroiderers from a small village to create beautiful traditionally hand-made garments, thus preserving the indigenous culture through fashion.

Luxembourg’s LGBTIQ+ rights groups gathered yesterday to protest for the rights of queer people as the petition that demands LGBTIQA+ related topics to be scrapped from school education surpassed 6.000 signatures – one of the fastest growing petitions in recent history. Franziska comments on protest and the petition.

Using gene therapy, scientists have discovered that managing the level of the protein GDNF is key to the the correct transmission of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, in the brain. GDNF levels plummet when alcoholics abstain from drinking, leading to a dopamine shortage and feeling of discomfort, which makes alcoholics resort to drinking. Gene therapy is now thought to 'fix' GDNF levels, which could be a solution for those suffering from alcoholism.

Men who were prescribed erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra and Cialis were 18 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a British study. That gives some hope that such drugs could be repurposed to prevent a common form of dementia.

Obibini is Ghana's only female surf club. It gives young women and girls a place to play, learn and socialise. Teaching girls to swim and surf even seems to have lowered the local teenage pregnancy rate.

Amélie Dolo knows: Debts make sick. And she also knows that people have to make debts to stay healthy. Amélie Dolo is the head of the Inter-Actions' over-indebtedness counseling service. In our interview on Local Matters, she explains how debts and health are related.

When something unexpected happens in life – job loss or sickness – people risk making more debts than they can afford. The Ligue Médico-sociale offers consultancy for people with excessive debts. Christian Schumacher, the head of the department, is our guest on Local Matters.

Why are Luxembourg’s climate activists so well-behaved? Whereas militants in other countries invent new forms of protest and intend to disrupt the regular functioning of society, Luxembourg’s activists stay quiet. In our interview on Local Matters, Sofia and Brice, members of the collective Rise for Climate Luxembourg tell us why they struggle to mobilize allies for more disruptive forms of protest.

Shivani Sondhi from the Vodafone Foundation explains how the Bright Sky app and website can help victims of domestic abuse.

Suzan Noesen tells us about her art practices, inspirations and experiences as a full-time artist in Luxembourg and abroad.

Luxembourg-City candidate and integration minister Corinne Cahen (DP) joined us in the studio to talk about Election Day etiquette and the do’s and don’ts of choosing your future commune representatives.

The Chinese women's club celebrates their 5th anniversary this spring. In our interview, president Julia Zhang explains why the need for such a community exists.