The National Federation of Women's Institutes has announced it will ban transgender women from formal membership starting April 2026, ending more than 40 years of welcoming trans women into the organisation. The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that clarified biological sex definitions in the Equality Act 2010.
NFWI chief executive Melissa Green said in an announcement: «It is with the utmost regret and sadness that we must announce that from April 2026 we can no longer offer formal membership to transgender women. As an organisation that has proudly welcomed transgender women into our membership for more than 40 years, this is not something we would do unless we felt that we had no other choice.»
Green explained the organisation must act in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment to continue operating as a legally recognised women's organisation and charity. She stressed: «This change is only in respect to our membership policy and does not change our firm belief that transgender women are women.»
Alternative programmes planned
The NFWI will launch a national network of WI Sisterhood groups from April 2026, offering monthly social and learning opportunities for all people, including transgender women. The organisation said it plans to extend "fellowship, sisterhood, and support to transgender women" through these programmes. Transgender members have been contacted to explain the changes and assure ongoing support.
Part of broader trend
The NFWI announcement came just one day after Girlguiding announced a ban on trans girls joining. Both policy changes stem from the Supreme Court ruling that defined "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 as referring to biological women and biological sex respectively.
Trans rights campaigners have criticised the moves. TransActual described the policy change as «yet another horrible act of violence against the most vulnerable trans people». Critics claimed organisations were «being forced to exclude young trans girls by adults with bigotries and institutional power».
Delayed guidance
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has urged women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson to accelerate new transgender guidance, which ministers have held for three months. The EHRC wrote to Phillipson in October, noting some organisations are currently using unlawful practices. The last code of practice update was in 2011.
The Government said it will not rush publication of the proposed code, which once approved would guide businesses and organisations on providing single and separate-sex services like toilets and changing rooms. Neither the NFWI nor Girlguiding maintain data on the number of their transgender members.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
