Why are the WI now policing thoughts?

[Marmaladelover]

I posted about this on the feminism board but I am posting here because I think members of the WI who are not on that board need to be aware of what is going on

Last December the WI finally agreed somewhat reluctantly did to the court ruling to not allow transwomen (men) to be members. That said people were appalled at their statement saying the WI believed “Transwomen are women”, this was shown by the threads and polls on here at the time.

The WI have just written and published the updated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
which now states that

• Transwomen are women
• The WI offers support and fellowship to Transwomen
• That transwomen enrich the WI
• That all members must accept these values
• That all speakers must accept these values.

Link to policy https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/720327/NFWI-Equality-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Policy-April-2026.pdf

Moreover they have issued a new form that every member must sign in order to remain a member . (Photo of this attached when approved by mumsnet ) This says the member agrees with all policies including this one . Failure to sign the form means you can no longer be a member.

I really hope the press pick up on this post. If you are a member of a WI then please draw attention to this to your other members.

Even members of political parties and churches do not have to say they agree with every teaching or manifesto to be a member.

I thought the WI had come to its senses and albeit reluctantly were going to follow the law. This is a new low for them. I am not being unreasonable am I ?

It doesn't say you have to agree with their policies.

It says that you have to follow their policies.

There is a big difference.

You can believe that Group A shouldn't be members (whatever that Group is, whether its men, disabled, trans, or unicorns). You can probably even vocalise that belief to other members, or lobby the leadership. But what you can't do is try to throw them out etc. if doing so would be in opposition to the published policies of the organisation.

So they’re really doubling down on censorship and coerced beliefs.

I hope WI members leave in their droves and set up actual Women’s Institutes.