Campaigning has been an integral part of the WI since 1918; it enables members to join in the debate of issues important to society today. WI campaigns of past and present have made real changes on issues members feel passionate about.

Many previous mandates are still topical today:

• May 1922 Westmoreland Federation resolution regarding the need for Probation Officers.
• June 1927 Berkshire Federation – Food Hygiene.
  
• May 1952 Gloucestershire Federation – donating parts of the body for transplants. 

Resolutions for 2023

Resolution 1: 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 water security, including addressing water leakage from pipes.

Resolution 2: Women to women - turning over a new leaf in the lives of women tea workers

While in the UK we enjoy a 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 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 a prosperous family life they deserve. 

Resolution 3: 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.

Resolution 4: 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 cup of rivers as it has been for water quality improvements at coastline beaches. 

Resolutions for 2022

1. Fit for purpose: Fit for Girls   3 votes

This Resolution seeks to challenge the gender stereotypes that continue to be perpetuated in the display and marketing of clothes and seeks to improve the quality and fit of girls' clothes. WI members can work with NFWI and use their purchasing power and lobbying potential to influence retailers to change their practices.

2. Appropriate sentencing of non-violent women offenders  46 votes

This Resolution, through NFWI involvement, seeks to urge Government to focus on early intervention and the use of community-based support strategies to reduce the number of women who are in prison for non-violent offences. Reduction in custodial sentences would have a positive effect on women's mental health and the wellbeing of their children. Campaign strategies could involve working with Government, the Prison Reform Trust and other such charities, to increase lobbying power.

3. Equality in law for the Menopause  2 votes

This Resolution seeks the NFWI to increase pressure on Government to make the menopause a protected characteristic. This would provide protection for women who may be discriminated against menopausal symptoms impact, upon their everyday activities. Whilst there has been increasing pressure on this issue, the NFWI could build on this, thus providing a greater force for change.

4. Women and Girls with ASD and ADHD are under-identified, under-diagnosed, mis-diagnosed and under supported  12 votes

This Resolution seeks to increase WI members awareness of these conditions and the symptoms and issues that face women with ASD and ADHD. As their symptoms may present differently to that of men, an increased awareness and pressure exerted to increase funding for research and support, is something that WI members can influence.  A greater awareness may lead to more support and would lead to greater gender equality.

5. Tackling digital exclusion  5 votes

This Resolution seeks the NFWI to increase pressure on Government and digital companies to make digital access more equitable and also to improve digital literacy. This would involve not only our campaigning skills, but also use our educational focus to advance training and cross member support in local WI's as well as within federations.

Our Voting results will be going forward to HCFWI.
 

2021 Resolution:

A call to increase awareness of the subtle signs of ovarian cancer was the Resolution selected and put to Hampshire Federation WI.

Resolution Process:

Any member can put forward an issue they would like the National Federation of Women’s Institutes to campaign on; they are known as resolutions. 

Stage 1 - the process starts in July through to September. WI’s put forward their ideas for resolutions and a list is formulated. 

Stage 2 - November until January shortlisted resolutions along with key facts appear in WI Life. Each member can select the resolution they would like to see put forward to the Annual Meeting, collated by their Federation. 

February - the NFWI meets to finalise the list of resolutions to take to the Annual Meeting. This is based on member selection, progress of existing campaigns and key developments on the resolutions. 

Stage 3 - April - the resolution appears in WI Life, WIs and Federations hold meetings to discuss whether they will vote in favour or against the resolution (Tilly Widgets debates this at their own AGM). 

The resolution is then voted on at the Annual Meeting by the WI delegates. The campaign action notes on new mandates are sent to WIs in the August mailing.