Why are women expected to endure pain in silence? Meera grew up in India and has battled multiple illnesses for most of her life. They’ve impacted her relationships with her mother, her husband and her kids - especially her young daughter. She says: “As a girl I was taught that a woman’s strength came from her ability to endure great pain and suffering.” But in a letter to her daughter, Meera insists women shouldn’t say “I’m fine” if they’re not. Letter writer: Meera Please send Namulanta...

The generosity of others helped Monique rebuild her life. She’s gone through more trauma than most, having fled genocide in Rwanda, lived in refugee camps and lost everything in a fire in the US. And yet at every stage she’s had the help of strangers. Letter writer: Monique Please send Namulanta your letter. Go to www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letters”. #DearDaughter Audio for this episode was updated on 22nd March 2023.

You don’t need to give me a grandchild. Simone promises having children will be up to her daughter. She says in her letter: “Make your own decision.” Simone is from Mozambique and tells Namulanta that society puts a lot of pressure on women to have a baby. Letter writer: Simone Please send Namulanta your letter. Go to www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letters”. #DearDaughter

The 'Queen of Letters', Isabel Allende, on writing, processing grief and a full garage. The best-selling author wrote to her late daughter, Paula, when she was in a coma. She then turned the letters into a book. She says writing “allowed me to understand what had happened and deal with it”. Isabel has a garage full of her daily correspondence with her own mother. Her novels include The House of the Spirits, City of the Beasts and Eva Luna. Letter writer: Isabel Allende Isabel is reading an...

Marian’s dad left when she was little. Now, she’s giving her daughter “the most special gift”. She looks at her husband and daughter playing together and it means so much to her. That is the inspiration for her letter. Season two of Dear Daughter begins with a story of two fathers and two daughters, which starts during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Letter writer: Marian Please send Namulanta your letter. Go to www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letters”....

We’re back! Join us weekly from 27 February for the second season of Dear Daughter, winner of Podcast of the Year at the 2022 British Podcast Awards. Namulanta Kombo is collecting more of your letters – funny, moving, thoughtful advice and words of wisdom for daughters everywhere. Namulanta started by writing letters to her own daughter Koko, then asked her friends and family to write to Koko too. Then she won the BBC’s first International Podcast Competition, and started collecting letters...

Teenage conflict, pushing boundaries and the unexpected letter. “You won't understand why I seem to like being mean.” Angie writes to her daughter Kira about being the bad cop and not trying to win the nicest mummy competition. Episode 15 letter writer: Angie This is the final episode of the first season of #DearDaughter We hope you have been inspired to write your own letters. Please send them to us and we might be able to include them in future episodes. Go to...

Raquel left her children to work abroad, so she could give them a better life. “I still remember the pain.” Her daughter Alyssa shares her feelings about their years apart. Episode 14 letter writer: Raquel Please send Namulanta your letter. Go to www.bbcworldservice/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letter”. #DearDaughter

“Nothing is off limits.” Daisy on how she will talk to her daughter about sex: smashing taboos and overcoming old-fashioned attitudes. Episode 13 letter writer: Daisy Please send Namulanta your letter. Go to www.bbcworldservice/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letter”. #DearDaughter

Deborah writes letters to her daughter Sibby, who was stillborn at 40 weeks. “We were delighted to meet her, even though my heart was broken into a million pieces”. Please be aware that this episode discusses baby loss. If you have been affected by the issues in this episode, there are support charities in many countries or it may help to speak to a medical professional or someone you trust. Episode 12 letter writer: Deborah Send Namulanta your letter. Go to...

“Jump off the dumpster of doubt!” Comedian Tumi Morake on challenging her fear of failure, what her daughter can learn from a cockroach, and why she should never feel too afraid to “jump, my baby, jump”. Tumi was the first African woman to have her own Netflix special, and the first woman to present Comedy Central Presents in Africa. She explains why overcoming self-doubt can lead to rewards and adventures. Episode 11 letter writer: Tumi Please send Namulanta your letter. Go to...

“Learn something bigger.” Nkule wants her daughter to discover life beyond her home town. It’s a story of two cultures colliding and stereotypes crumbling. Nkule’s message to her daughter is to meet new people, try new foods and see the world. Episode 10 letter writer: Nkule Please send Namulanta your letter. Go to www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letter”. #DearDaughter

“I never want to disappoint someone”. The pitfalls of people-pleasing and not taking risks. Tatiana reflects on the fear of disappointing her parents and the downsides of following the crowd. She hopes her future daughter will be brave enough to take more risks in life. Episode 9 letter writer: Tatiana Please send Namulanta your letter. Go to www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letter”. #DearDaughter

The best of both worlds? One new baby and two religions. Mum and dad are trying to figure it out. How will they bring up their daughter? Episode 8 letter writer: Joe Please send Namulanta your letter. Go to www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letter”. #DearDaughter

Matchmakers, a fake engagement ring and love; welcome to the marriage game. “They’ll wonder, are you good enough for their son? The question is, are they good enough for you?” Episode 7 letter writer: Nashra Please send us your letter. Go to www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letter”. #DearDaughter

My mum’s letter to me! Namulanta’s own mum, Dorcas, is back on the show with a letter to share. She talks with her daughter about self-preservation, mum-guilt and life in colonial, pre-independent Kenya. Episode 6 letter writer: Dorcas Inspired by Dorcas? Please send us your letter. Go to bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letters”. #DearDaughter

An escape by boat, pirates, prejudice and a “strength that lies within”. Charlene’s family was among the Vietnamese “boat people”, fleeing in search of a “better life”. Charlene fears her daughter might encounter similar racism to what she faced. She hopes she’ll be inspired by the stories of the strong women in her family, like Pah Pah and Ma Ma. Episode 5 letter writer: Charlene Please send us your letter. Go to bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on 'Send us your...

Robin tries out blue acrylic fingernails. He advises his daughter to “always trust your instincts” and to “be prepared for anything”. He makes self-defence videos for women using skills he learnt in the military. Episode 4 letter writer: Robin. Please send us your letter. Go to bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on 'Send us your letters'. #DearDaughter

Under pressure to tie the knot? Elle says, “Everyone is praying for me to get married.” She grew up thinking marriage was essential, but as she’s grown older, she’s changed her mind. Episode 3 letter writer: Elle. Please send us your letter. Go to bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on 'Send us your letters'. #DearDaughter

Underwear, razors and teenage angst. The perils of trying to fit in and be noticed. It’s a tale of accidental wedgies, stealing (sort of) from dad and attempting to impress the boys. Episode 2 letter writers: Naliaka and Emma. Please send us your letter. Go to bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letters”. #DearDaughter

Three mums, new and old letters - the beginning of a handbook to life. “When I go, my memory is going to go with me”, so it’s time to start writing. Episode 1 letter writers: Namulanta and Lisa. Plus, meet Dorcas. This podcast needs you and your letters. Go to bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter and click on “Send us your letters”. #DearDaughter

Funny, heart-breaking, insightful and ultimately honest – help Namulanta create a handbook to life. She won the BBC’s International Podcast Competition 2021 and wants to hear your letters. Get in touch at www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter Begins on 10 December 2021 #DearDaughter