Women's Institute Changes Rules After Court Order, Some Groups Close

The Women's Institute (WI) has updated its rules about who can become a member. This is because of a court decision. Because of this, some local WI groups have closed down. The WI says they still believe transgender women are women.
By Newsroom | Society, United Kingdom |

A decision by the Women's Institute (WI) to restrict membership to individuals assigned female at birth has led to the closure of several local groups and significant public outcry. The organization cited a UK Supreme Court ruling as the impetus for this policy change, which affects transgender women's ability to formally join.

The WI, a long-standing organization in the United Kingdom with a broad membership, has updated its policies regarding who can become a member. This change follows a UK Supreme Court judgment, prompting the WI to revise its approach to membership. The new policy, effective from April, means that only those legally registered as female at birth can be full members.

The WI's decision to restrict membership to individuals assigned female at birth is a direct response to a UK Supreme Court ruling, impacting transgender women's eligibility for formal membership.

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‘Carnage of concern and upset’: Women’s Institute groups close after transgender ban - 1

The policy shift has not been without consequence. At least twelve WI groups have either closed or are considering shutting down their operations. Nora Salmon, a member of the Hackney Wicked Women group, stated that her branch would also cease to exist next month. This has generated a strong reaction, with one group, Seven Hills WI, reporting receiving around 220 abusive online comments after announcing their closure.

The National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) confirmed the new membership criteria. The organization stated that the adjustment was necessary to comply with the UK Supreme Court's judgment.

  • Supreme Court Ruling: The UK's highest court issued a ruling earlier in the year that influenced the WI's interpretation of legal sex for membership purposes.

  • Equality and Human Rights Commission Guidance: In August, the Equality and Human Rights Commission released guidance that has implications for single-sex facilities and services. This guidance has been cited as a factor in the WI's decision-making process.

  • WI's Stated Belief: Despite the membership change, the WI has emphasized that this is a policy adjustment and does not alter their fundamental belief that "transgender women are women." They have also indicated that transgender women will still be welcome at social events like "sisterhood" gatherings.

Local Group Reactions and Impact

The closure of local WI groups has been met with distress and concern from members and the wider community.

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‘Carnage of concern and upset’: Women’s Institute groups close after transgender ban - 2

  • Closure of Hackney Wicked Women: Nora Salmon's group in Hackney Wick is one of the branches set to close.

  • Abusive Online Comments: The Seven Hills WI group experienced significant negative feedback online following their announcement of closure.

  • Forced to Shut: Branches have conveyed a sense of being compelled to close their doors due to the new national policy.

The WI has been admitting transgender women as members for approximately 40 years. The organization has expressed "deep regret" and "utmost sadness" over the necessity of this change, framing it as a difficult decision made after considerable deliberation, including legal advice and input from senior and young members.

Broader Implications and Comparisons

The WI's decision aligns with a similar move by Girlguiding UK, another prominent organization for girls and young women in the UK. Girlguiding also announced that it would no longer admit transgender girls as new members.

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  • Girlguiding's Policy: As of December 2, 2025, trans girls and young women not recorded as female at birth are no longer able to join Girlguiding as new young members.

  • Shared Rationale: Both organizations cited legal advice and the Supreme Court ruling as key factors in their decisions.

  • Continued Support: Both the WI and Girlguiding have stated their continued belief that transgender women are women and plan to support them through non-membership activities.

The situation highlights the complex intersection of legal interpretations, organizational traditions, and inclusivity policies within established community groups in the United Kingdom.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Women's Institute change its rules?
The WI changed its rules because of a ruling from the UK Supreme Court. They had to follow the court's decision about who can be a member.
Q: What does the new rule mean for transgender women?
The new rule means only people who were recorded as female when they were born can be full members. This stops transgender women from joining as members.
Q: Have other groups also changed their rules?
Yes, Girlguiding UK, another group for girls and young women, has made a similar change to its membership rules.
Q: Are transgender women still welcome at the WI?
The WI says that transgender women are still welcome to come to social events, even if they cannot be full members.