Women's Institute to exclude transgender women from formal membership following Supreme Court ruling

The National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) has announced a significant shift in its formal membership policy, effective April 2026, which will no longer include transgender women. This decision, expressed by the organization's leadership, comes as a direct consequence of a landmark UK Supreme Court ruling earlier this year.

As reported by Sky News, Chief executive Melissa Green conveyed a sadness and reluctance surrounding the change, stating, "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." She emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly, noting, "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."

The Supreme Court's unanimous decision in April clarified that the legal definitions of "woman" and "sex" within the Equality Act 2010 refer to "a biological woman and biological sex." Ms. Green explained that to maintain its legal standing as a women's organization and charity, the NFWI is compelled to align its formal membership criteria with this legal interpretation, restricting it to biological women only.

Crucially, Ms. Green reaffirmed the NFWI's core values: "This change is only in respect to our membership policy and does not change our firm belief that transgender women are women." The organization, founded in 1915 and the UK's largest women's organization, pledges to continue its commitment to inclusivity. While formal membership is impacted, the NFWI will actively develop and implement programmes specifically designed to "extend fellowship, sisterhood, and support to transgender women," acknowledging their continued value within the broader community.

This policy adjustment at the NFWI mirrors a similar announcement by Girlguiding, the UK's largest youth organization for girls, indicating a broader response across women's and girls' groups to the Supreme Court's verdict. These organizations are navigating a period of significant uncertainty, as they await updated guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The EHRC's proposed code of practice, intended to provide clarity on the provision of single-sex services and incorporating the Supreme Court's ruling, has been awaiting government approval for three months. Despite the urgency expressed by organizations seeking clear direction, ministers have stated they will not "rush" its publication. The EHRC formally urged the women and equalities minister in October to expedite the guidance, highlighting that some current practices may be operating unlawfully in its absence. Once approved, the guidance would require a 40-day period after being laid in Parliament before coming into force.