Statement: UK Women's Marches (18 January)

While we continue to wholeheartedly support the principles and asks underpinning this grassroots movement, the NFWI has taken the decision not to attend this weekend’s women’s marches. As a campaigning charity, we keep all events and initiatives under constant review, and at any event where we have a formal presence, we will always ensure that the nature, safety arrangements and overall messaging of an event is in line with our own organisational position. These factors are often not simply linked to the event itself and its official objectives but also encompass an assessment of any activities or wider context that risks obscuring or changing the message and tone.

Members will be aware that we have made similar decisions about our participation in other national events in the past leading to us withdrawing or rescheduling where we feel involvement is no longer in the best interests of the WI or its members. We are always sorry to have to make decisions of this nature and saddened when anything gets in the way of members engaging in genuine and legitimate campaigning activities, and we appreciate many members may be disappointed.

We have reasserted our commitment to the organisers and we reaffirm their statement calling for urgent action to protect women’s rights from multiple threats, here in the UK and globally. While we will not be present at the marches on Saturday, we are urging our members to stand in solidarity with women in the UK and worldwide by supporting our ongoing work to end violence against women and girls.