All WI members are encouraged to become involved with WI campaigns.
Campaigns stem from an issue close to members hearts, but before they can become a campaign they start as a resolution.
- The resolution process starts every September, with the chance for your WI to submit a resolution.
- In the November issue of WI Life, a resolution shortlist is published. This is your first glimpse at the resolutions.
- From November until February, you have the chance to discuss and learn more about each resolution at SWFWI Resolution events.
- In January/February, you select the resolution that you support the most. Your selection is submitted to your Federation, collated and submitted to NFWI.
- At the end of February, NFWI release the resolution selection results
- In April, your WI can attend our Resolution Forum to help make an informed decision on the resolution/s that have made it through to the final round.
- In May, your WI votes on the resolution/s. The vote is submitted at the NFWI Annual Meeting where the WI’s next campaign is revealed!
Our Public Affairs team are dedicated to the resolution process and keeping campaigns alive. If you’d like to find out more or become involved email pa@swfwi.org.uk
2024/25 Resolution Selection Results
This year over 90,000 selections were cast by WI members. With over 32,000 of the votes, NFWI have put forward Bystanders Can be Lifesavers resolution to the Annual Meeting in June. You can read the full wording of the resolution here
NEXT STEPS
WIs now need to collectively decide how they wish to vote. Every WI gets one vote; for or against, or discretion in case new information comes to light after the decision has been made.
To help our WIs make an informed decision, the PA Team are holding a Resolution Forum where we’ll be joined by expert speakers to answer questions.
2024: Dental Health Matters
In 2024 the WI proposed; there is a chronic shortage of NHS Dentists & people are suffering health issues as a result. The NFWI calls on the Government to increase investment in the training & retention of dentists & to review the current inadequate NHS contracts in order to ensure everyone can access an NHS dentist.
In support of the campaign Suffolk West teamed up with Toothless in England. Our Public Affairs team also wrote to West Suffolk MPs voicing the WI’s concerns over the current.
Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife
The WI’s 2023 campaign encouraged members to make and support applications to create bathing waters in rivers across England and Wales as designated bathing areas play a key role in tackling river pollution.
With the help of Sudbury Gainsborough WI who held a tea party in the Stour and Sturmer WI, Haverhill Owls WI, Kedington WI & Radwinter WI who joined together to raise awareness, the River Stour Trust has now achieved designated bathing water status.
No More Violence Against Women
In 2019, an estimated 1.6 million women across the UK experienced violence, including domestic violence, rape, forced marriage, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse and harassment. The WI’s No More Violence against Women campaign encourages WI members to take action to end violence against women.
After the murder of Sara Sharif, SWFWI launched a template letter for members to send to their MP to carry on the fight.
Download our template letter to support this vital campaign.
End Plastic Soup
Microplastic fibres are small plastic fragments shed from synthetic clothes when washed. As the fragments are too small to be caught by washing machine filters, they then flow into the sewage system and eventually into the ocean, where those fibres are often swallowed or absorbed by plants and fish.
Launched in 2017, the End Plastic Soup campaign still continues to be a hot topic. In 2024, SWFWI backed the bill to put filters on washing machines.
Our incredible campaign history spans more than 100 years! You can find out even more about our campaign heritage here