Women’s Institute bans trans women from joining from April

The Women’s Institute has said it will no longer accept trans women as members in yet another blow for the community.

The 110-year-old women’s rights organisation updated its membership policy to only accept applicant on the basis of so-called “biological sex.”

National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) CEO Melissa Green confirmed on Wednesday (3 December) that, from April 2026 onwards, it would no longer offer formal membership to trans women.

The move came in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling that the legal definition of a woman referred to “biological sex” only.

“To be able to continue operating as the Women’s Institute – a legally recognised women’s organisation and charity – we must act in accordance with the Supreme Court’s judgment and restrict formal membership to biological women only,” Green said.

The organisation said it is still committed in its “firm belief” that trans women are women despite the move.

In the wake of the April judgment, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) drafted updates to its code of practice on gender-exclusive facilities and groups calling for the exclusion of trans people from spaces including toilets, changing rooms, and gender-specific groups.

Its recommendations were called into question by legal experts and human rights groups who have accused the controversial regulator of misinterpreting the law.

The Women’s Institute says trans ban is ‘extremely painful’

Once the ban comes into effect, the Women’s Institute says it plans to launch a “national network” of its sisterhood groups, which it said would “offer monthly opportunities for all people, including transgender women”.

The CEO acknowledged that members would likely find the decision “extremely painful”, adding that officials had been actively seeking alternative pathways.

“Our activity outside of formal membership has always and will continue to play a vital role in creating welcoming spaces where all women can come together to learn, share ideas, and work together to improve lives in our communities,” Green said. “We remain absolutely committed to delivering on that mission.”

It comes just a day after Girlguiding UK announced it would no longer allow trans girls to join its scouting groups under similar updates responding to the ruling.

Labour MPs warned that the EHRC’s recommendations, if enacted by the government, could create a “minefield” for businesses in the UK.

A private letter sent to business secretary Peter Kyle, reported by The Guardian, detailed how several MPs had been contacted by local businesses expressing deep concern over the implications of the code of practice.

Concerns include the potential financial impact, as well as issues around “service delivery” and staffing shortages.

“Businesses have told us that while, up to now, they have been used to resolving issues quickly and quietly, in line with corporate codes of conduct about values of tolerance and respect, and with a commonsense approach, they believe that, if the final draft code becomes an official code of practice, they will find disputes frequently escalating into expensive court action,” the letter reads.