WI campaigns are about changing things for the better and tackling the issues that matter to members. Members are at the heart of the WI and they play a central role in bringing issues onto the WI’s national agenda through our public affairs and campaigning.

Suggestions for initiatives are submitted each year by local branches via regional federations. These are then narrowed down to a short list by representatives from the federations. Local branches then consider and discuss the short-listed resolutions and select the one they would like to go forward for further discussion and final voting at the Annual Meeting.

For more information about the WI Resolutions and  Campaigns and the procedures involved click here. 

You can also find more Information on your My WI page then under Public Affairs & Campaigns, then Resolutions.

At the NFWI Resolution Shortlist Selection meeting on 3 October 2023, members shortlisted four resolutions which will now be taken forward for further debate and selection by members.

The shortlisted resolutions are:

1. Dental Health Matters

   There is a chronic shortage of NHS Dentists and people are suffering health issues as a result. The NFWI calls on the Government to increase investment in the training and retention of dentists and to review the current inadequate NHS contracts in order to ensure everyone can access an NHS dentist wherever they live.

2. Impacts of poor housing conditions

   Poor housing can have a deleterious effect on human health and wellbeing, safety and quality of life and can disproportionately affect the most vulnerable groups in society.

   The NFWI calls on the UK Government to boost housing standards and regulations, increase funding for housing renovations, increase the supply of affordable and secure housing and strengthen collaboration with local authorities, housing associations and other relevant stakeholders to develop strategies that address local housing challenges.

3. Say ‘no’ to gambling advertising

   Harm caused by excessive gambling is a global problem. Some countries are already addressing this by banning advertising. The NFWI calls on members, the government, regulators, the NHS, educationalists and gambling charities to work together towards achieving a complete ban on gambling advertising. This will reduce gambling harm, save the NHS money, protect family relationships and decrease the number of suicides, around 400 per annum at present.

4. Improving Outcomes for Women in the Criminal Justice System
   
   There is an urgent need to radically reform decision-making in respect of women in the criminal justice system and in particular, pregnant women and women with children. We urge cross-government collaboration to deliver on the 2018 female offender strategy by setting goals, robust governance and performance measures to reduce the number of women who have committed non-violent offences from being imprisoned.

Next steps

Every member now has the opportunity to cast their individual selection on the resolution they support the most. WIs are encouraged to hold meetings to provide members with the opportunity to discuss and learn more about each resolution.

The deadline for members’ selections to reach their federations is 11 February 2024.

Current Campaign

With a majority of 84 %, the Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife resolution passes at the 2023 NFWI Annual Meeting.

Now we are urging all members to get involved in the campaign to clean up our rivers. Our new campaign will be encouraging members to make and support applications to create bathing waters in rivers across England and Wales as a way to drive the clean up of our precious waters.

Bathing water designation can play a key role in tackling pollution as it means that water must be tested for the bacteria that causes illness during the bathing season, and because water companies have an obligation to tackle pollution in these locations.

How you can get involved

1. Find out more information about how to apply for inland bathing water by using the Surfers Against Sewage’s ‘Wild Water’ website.

Sign the Surfers Against Sewage petition here

The website contains a useful nine-step guide that provides guidance about applying for a designated bathing water. You can also access the Surfers Against Sewage community bathing waters toolkit here.

2. Save the date: Take part in the WI’s Week of River Action

Make a splash for clean rivers in your community by taking part in the WI’s Week of River Action from 11-18 September!

We will be asking WIs to join with local groups in your area campaigning for clean rivers to sound the alarm about the ecological state of the UK’s rivers.

Further details, including resource packs, are to be announced closer to the date. To register your interest in the WI’s Week of River Action, email the NFWI Public Affairs team on pa@nfwi.org.uk

3. Find out about sewage pollution in rivers in our area

You can find out about the location of combined sewage outflows (CSOs) in our area by looking at the Rivers Trust Sewage Map.

Resolution Shortlist 2023-24

At the NFWI Resolution Shortlist Selection meeting on 4 October 2022 member and federation delegates shortlisted four resolutions which will now be taken forward for further debate and selection by members.

The shortlisted resolutions are:

Save our Water: Every Drop Matters

As global temperatures rise, there is a risk drought will become more frequent in the UK.
This will place increasing strains on the UK’s water supply and endanger our natural world.
The NFWI calls on government and water companies to work together to develop robust plans that would ensure the UK’s long-term water security, including addressing water leakage from pipes. The NFWI calls on WI members to take immediate personal actions to value and conserve water.

Women to Women – Turning Over a New Leaf in the Lives of Women Tea Workers

While in the UK we enjoy our daily cuppa, the mostly women tea workers who produce our tea struggle to access living wages, decent housing, sanitation or education for their children due to the low prices paid to producers for tea. The NFWI calls on UK tea companies and retailers to take action to fix the broken tea buying system to enable plantation owners to give women tea pluckers a fair deal so they can live the healthy and prosperous family life they deserve.

Online Gambling Harm: Time for Action

Online gambling has substantially increased, resulting in a growing number of people being exposed to the risks of gambling-related harms. Current legislation is inadequate in addressing the harms caused by problem gambling and in providing protections to those affected. This resolution calls on decision makers to introduce updated legislation and regulation to address these issues, and for increased support to be made available to those affected by problem gambling, particularly women and children.

Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife

Water quality in our rivers is shameful. Legally, designated bathing waters must be regularly monitored for pollution. The NFWI urges its members, the wider public, local authorities and Government to make, support and promote applications for official designated bathing sites on appropriate stretches of rivers in their area. This will be as instrumental to the clean up of rivers as it has been for water quality improvement at coastal beaches.

Previous Campaigns

Fit for Purpose – Fit for Girls 

Girls’ clothing ranges often promote harmful gender stereotypes and can lack the practicality and robustness of boys’ clothing due to the differing design features and materials used. The NFWI calls on clothing manufacturers and retailers to produce and market clothes for girls at all ages which are equal to their boys’ clothing ranges in terms of design, quality and coverage, and which aim to empower and enable girls to feel comfortable and confident in whatever activity they choose throughout their childhood. Click here for more information.

Appropriate Sentencing of Non-Violent Women Offenders

Women in prison are some of the most vulnerable in society. The majority have committed non-violent offences, and many have been victims of much more serious offences than those they are accused of committing. Prison can do enormous lasting damage to women’s mental health, and research shows that community support and management can be far more effective and produce better reoffending outcomes than custodial sentences, as well as mitigate the negative impacts on children and their wider families. The NFWI therefore urges government to renew its focus on early-intervention and community-based solutions for women who have committed non-violent offences as a matter of urgency. Click here for more information.

3. Equality in Law for the Menopause

Too many women are experiencing discrimination at work and in wider society during the menopause. The NFWI calls on the Government to strengthen equality law by including the menopause as a protected characteristic alongside pregnancy and maternity under the Equality Act 2010, in order to provide better protection for women and to help tackle the stigma around menopause. Click here for more information.

Women and Girls with ASD and ADHD Under-Identified, Under-Diagnosed and Under-Supported

Women and girls presenting with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are going undiagnosed. The NFWI calls on the government and funding bodies to fund research into the female presentation of ASD and ADHD, and for action to be taken to improve the diagnosis process for women and girls, to ensure that they are equipped to better manage these conditions and do not suffer in silence. The NFWI further calls on WI members to raise awareness within their WIs of the issues facing women and girls with ASD and ADHD.  Click here for more information.

Tackling Digital Exclusion 

Digital exclusion in the UK is preventing a significant proportion of the population from accessing the internet, and therefore limiting access to essential services, learning opportunities and social connection. This can be due to a lack of internet connection, lack of access to devices or lack of digital literacy. With millions of people affected, the NFWI calls on the government to increase investment in digital infrastructure, ensure access to suitable devices and appropriate education and training.  Click here for more information

Current Campaigns

Our key campaigns are the main issues we are currently working on. 

Current Campaigns