Men will be able to join the Women’s Institute under a new policy banning trans women from becoming members.

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NSFWI) announced on Wednesday (3 December) that it is planning to update internal policies to only accept applicants based on so-called “biological sex.”

Melissa Green, the women’s rights organisation’s CEO, said that from April 2026 onwards, it would no longer offer formal memberships to trans women.

She added the decision was made in response to an April Supreme Court judgment which determined the 2010 Equality Act’s 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,” she added.

The updated policy means that, under the Supreme Court’s definition of “biological sex,” trans men will be within their right to apply and be accepted into the women’s organisation, even though they are legally recognised as men.

Asked whether it was aware of this, an NFWI spokesperson said: “While the law is clear, we are still waiting for formal guidance from the [Equality and Human Rights Commission] EHRC on how to apply the judgment in practice.”

Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson was handed a draft code of practice on gender-exclusive services in September after a months-long consultation on updates that, if enacted, would ban trans people from using facilities such as toilets and changing rooms consistent with their gender identity.

While the final draft has yet to be made public, sources suggest it allegedly bans trans people from facilities based entirely on their appearance alone, according to The Times.

Amendments to the code, shared as part of a controversial public consultation, stated the EHRC’s belief that trans men were “biologically female,” meaning they would be permitted to join the Women’s Institute.

Once the ban comes into effect, Green said the organisation plans to launch a “national network” of its sisterhood groups, which she said would “offer monthly opportunities for all people, including transgender women.”

“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,” she said. “We remain absolutely committed to delivering on that mission.”

Green reaffirmed the organisation’s firm belief that “trans women are women” despite the move. PinkNews has asked the organisation whether it believes trans men are men and, if so, whether it will reverse the decision to allow men in its gender-exclusive organisation.

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