In 2021 the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) has enacted an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy that allows anyone who "identifies as a woman" to join Women's Institutes. This policy was updated in April 2023, we believe this is due to pressure exerted by this petition.

Read the submission to the Board of Trustees dated 7 February 2023 - this request was rejected on 15 March 2023.

We, the undersigned, believe that this puts Women's Institutes in an untenable position. Its objectives* are under threat, it cannot legitimately campaign for women-specific issues, and individual WI's constitutions have been de facto changed without members' consent to allow anyone to join, regardless of sex.

We, the undersigned, are calling for:

1. A moratorium on trans women joining - current trans members could remain members.

2. An expansive debate involving the whole membership on the wider implications of this policy (embracing gender ideology) not only to the WI, but to wider society. The WI is, in part, a campaigning organisation and campaigns on society-wide issues.

3. A membership vote to decide whether Women's Institutes revert to being a sex based membership organisation, or embrace gender ideology as per the current position.

WIWD will not receive your details when you sign this petition. If you would like to be kept up to date with our work and how you can help please email us: hello@wdwi.co.uk

If you are a WI member please put your Federation name in the comments section - thank you.

*Objectives are:

The three main purposes of the Women’s Institute are:

• to advance the education of women and girls for the public benefit in all areas including (without limitation):
  • local, national and international issues of political and social importance;
  • music, drama and other cultural subjects; and
  • all branches of agriculture, crafts, home economics, science, health and social welfare
• to promote sustainable development for the public benefit by:
  • educating people in the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and the prudent use of natural resources and
  • promoting sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration
• to advance health for the public benefit, and to advance citizenship for the public benefit by the promotion of civic responsibility and volunteering (NFWI website.)