We were passed these information sheets that an enterprising member has sent to all Federations and as many WIs as she could get the email addresses for. If you wish these to be sent to your WI, drop us an email (hello@wdwi.co.uk) and we will pass the details on.

Download the sheets here:

Briefing Sheet on the Supreme Court Ruling for WIs.

Appendix 1

Appendix 1A

The NFWI response:

To WI Secretaries: Communication regarding NFWI Inclusion Policy:

We are aware that a number of WIs have received an email addressed to them and their Federation regarding the NFWI’s ED&I policy, in light of the recent Supreme Court judgement. This email and attachments include a number of inaccuracies and incorrect information, as well as language that may be offensive.

As has previously been communicated by the NFWI, we are considering carefully the impact of the Supreme Court judgement on the definition of sex in the Equality Act. We are undertaking this work with support from our legal advisers, and we would like to reassure you that we are taking this work extremely seriously.

The WI membership includes both transgender members and members with gender critical views, and we encourage members to continue treating each other with support and respect during this time, as we have done throughout our 110 year history.

We know receiving such contacts can be concerning but we would like to reassure you that the NFWI is here to support you with any concerns you may have. We believe, although do not have confirmation of this, that contact details have been gathered from publicly available sources such as the Charity Commission website and WI websites.

If you WI has any particular concerns regarding the communication or have received a query that you are unsure how to answer, please so feel free to contact your federation secretary of NFWI Membership team who can offer support. You can contact us on membership@nfwi.org.uk

I know there may be some concern about what to do when your WI receives contacts such as this. As we have said previously, it is at the discretion of WIs and federations as to how you respond, but there is absolutely no requirement for you to respond such emails, particularly as this relates to a national policy. You are completely within reason to simply forward letters like this to NFWI to respond, as you would any other external organisation emailed about a national policy. If you wish your WIs can also request that you do not receive such contacts in the future.

A larger version.