The declaration has been formally recognized and our position is confirmed. I am physically drained by the months of friction involved in getting here but I am deeply grateful to those who stayed the course. We will remain vigilant to ensure the integrity of these protections is preserved moving forward.
October 9, 2023
Final supporters
Women’s Institute: Women’s Declaration
The Women's Institute has a proud history of campaigning on women's issues, such as cervical cancer, the under diagnosis of ADHD and autism in women and girls. We, the undersigned, declare that:
1. Women and girls are subject to discrimination on the basis of their sex. Sex is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
2. Women have the right to organise themselves as a sex class across cultural, leisure, educational, sporting and political activities.
3. Women have the right to maintain their sex-based protections as set out in the Equality Act 2010, and refuse men access to single sex spaces, including, but not limited to: hospital wards, refuges, changing rooms, hostels, counselling services and medical care.
4. We condemn all attempts to undermine or limit the rights of women to self-organise, and discuss policies which affect them. Women should be able to do this free from harassment, abuse and intimidation. We call on the National Federation of Women’s Institutes to actively support this essential freedom.
WDWI 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: [email protected]
If you are a WI member please put your Federation in the comments section, and your WI. Thank you.
Updates
August 24, 2023
We hit 250 signatures today. It has been an exhausting road to get this far but seeing so many of you join this effort keeps me moving forward.
Reached 250 supporters
August 23, 2023
August 12, 2023
Reaching this point has been a long and draining road. Seeing this level of support makes me feel less isolated in this struggle.
Reached 100 supporters
April 19, 2023
186 Comments
I firmly believe that women need to feel safe at WI meetings. This will not happen if they try to include Transgender people. Leighton Buzzard Riverside. Bedfordshire Federation.
So disappointing that an important and established women's organisation should have chosen to become mixed sex. I've worked with WI in the past, but not now it's got this policy.
Found the list of language we are supposed to use and how we should re-educate ourselves extraordinary. The constant pushing of trans and pride issues is out of key with members. Time there was a debate and vote on these issues. North East North Yorkshire Federation member
Women (as do men) have the right to single sex spaces. How can you promote the rights of women, influence policy, support women and provide a safe social network if it is not solely for women.
I do not support this move by NFWI. Women are entitled to a safe space. This imposition is unacceptable. We should be offered a vote. I think there will be thousands of resignations from the organisation if this new rule is forced upon us.
Thank you
I am signing this because I believe women are entitled to single sex spaces without the presence of men however they identify . I am concerned that the WI leadership is presenting their recent decision to exclude men to be under duress & not the will of the members. I am assuming lots of WI members don't want males in the WI but have perhaps never been consulted.
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The declaration has been formally recognized and our position is confirmed. I am physically drained by the months of friction involved in getting here but I am deeply grateful to those who stayed the course. We will remain vigilant to ensure the integrity of these protections is preserved moving forward.
October 9, 2023
Final supporters
Women’s Institute: Women’s Declaration
The Women's Institute has a proud history of campaigning on women's issues, such as cervical cancer, the under diagnosis of ADHD and autism in women and girls. We, the undersigned, declare that:
1. Women and girls are subject to discrimination on the basis of their sex. Sex is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
2. Women have the right to organise themselves as a sex class across cultural, leisure, educational, sporting and political activities.
3. Women have the right to maintain their sex-based protections as set out in the Equality Act 2010, and refuse men access to single sex spaces, including, but not limited to: hospital wards, refuges, changing rooms, hostels, counselling services and medical care.
4. We condemn all attempts to undermine or limit the rights of women to self-organise, and discuss policies which affect them. Women should be able to do this free from harassment, abuse and intimidation. We call on the National Federation of Women’s Institutes to actively support this essential freedom.
WDWI 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: [email protected]
If you are a WI member please put your Federation in the comments section, and your WI. Thank you.
Updates
August 24, 2023
We hit 250 signatures today. It has been an exhausting road to get this far but seeing so many of you join this effort keeps me moving forward.
Reached 250 supporters
August 23, 2023
August 12, 2023
Reaching this point has been a long and draining road. Seeing this level of support makes me feel less isolated in this struggle.
Reached 100 supporters
April 19, 2023
186 Comments
I have no wish to see any group persecuted or discriminated against but I feel the rights and safety of women is being eroded by the need to accommodate a small number of transgender people. Single sex spaces have been created for good reasons and the need for them remains unchanged.
I firmly believe that women need to feel safe at WI meetings. This will not happen if they try to include Transgender people. Leighton Buzzard Riverside. Bedfordshire Federation.
So disappointing that an important and established women's organisation should have chosen to become mixed sex. I've worked with WI in the past, but not now it's got this policy.
Found the list of language we are supposed to use and how we should re-educate ourselves extraordinary. The constant pushing of trans and pride issues is out of key with members. Time there was a debate and vote on these issues. North East North Yorkshire Federation member
Women (as do men) have the right to single sex spaces. How can you promote the rights of women, influence policy, support women and provide a safe social network if it is not solely for women.
I do not support this move by NFWI. Women are entitled to a safe space. This imposition is unacceptable. We should be offered a vote. I think there will be thousands of resignations from the organisation if this new rule is forced upon us.
Thank you
I am signing this because I believe women are entitled to single sex spaces without the presence of men however they identify . I am concerned that the WI leadership is presenting their recent decision to exclude men to be under duress & not the will of the members. I am assuming lots of WI members don't want males in the WI but have perhaps never been consulted.
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I have no wish to see any group persecuted or discriminated against but I feel the rights and safety of women is being eroded by the need to accommodate a small number of transgender people. Single sex spaces have been created for good reasons and the need for them remains unchanged.