2020 Resolutions short list is out:
- A call to increase potential stem cell donor registration
There is an urgent need to increase the number of people registered on the aligned UK stem cell registry in order to provide potentially life-saving treatment to people of all ages with certain blood cancers. We call on all WI members to promote registration to the database to avoid people dying whilst waiting for a match.
- Female crash test dummies
Women are significantly more likely to die, or be seriously injured, in car crashes than men. The WI calls on the government to mandate equitable testing with female crash test dummies to that of male dummies in regulatory vehicle safety tests; and for consumer organisations, such as EuroNCAP, to include a gendered breakdown in their published results.
- End modern slavery
There are tens of thousands of victims of modern slavery hiding in plain sight in the UK. Modern slavery has severe consequences for the health and mental wellbeing of survivors. The NFWI calls on Government to protect victims of modern slavery in the first instance and deliver longer term support to help them rebuild their lives. We call on our members to raise awareness of the prevalence of modern slavery throughout society and to campaign to defeat it.
- Time to talk about death and dying
64% of people in the UK think that we do not talk enough about death in this country, yet these conversations can be really helpful in enabling people to receive the end of life care they would want. In order to demystify a natural part of life, and support more people to share their wishes, the NFWI calls upon members to encourage open discussions about death and dying.
- Protect our precious helium
Helium is a precious resource that is widely used in healthcare, medical and scientific research, but it is non-renewable and in short supply. The NFWI calls on WI members to help raise awareness of the need to conserve helium, and on government and industry to work together to ensure it is used responsibly, and to support innovative research that could address the shortage such as reducing use or improving capture and recycling.
The Time is Now Lobby – 26th June 2019
MFWI Public Affairs Team Met with NFWI Public Affairs team in Mary Sumner House before the lobby. Sarah Wilson, Anna East Harlington WI and Alison Fremantle West Drayton WI
Anna Kidd N1WI (also MFWI Public Affairs) Lorraine Reed-Wenman MFWI Chair, and Clare Taylor N1WI.
Alison and Anna making their way to lobby line on the South Bank.
John McDonnell MP for Hayes and Harlington constituency in Portcullis House.
Morsbag and soap pocket presented to John Mcdonnell, MFWI practical ways to help with plastic pollution.
Two new resolutions passed at the 2019 Annual Meeting
Over 96% of delegates at the WI Annual Meeting in Bournemouth on 5th June voted to pass a resolution aimed at tackling the decline in local bus services.
The resolution, proposed by Burniston and Cloughton WI in North Yorkshire East Federation calls for the WI to lobby for more funding and work in partnership with bus companies and local authorities to improve services.
We want to hear from members who live in communities that have experienced cuts to bus services or where services are under threat. We are also keen to hear from members who have managed to save their services or develop new ways of making them sustainable. Do get in touch using this form! NFWI Memo AGM 2019 Resolution Passed Decline in Bus Services
A resolution calling for action to tackle declining take up of cervical cancer screening was also supported by 97% of delegates.
In England and Wales women aged 25-49 are invited for cervical screening every three years, and those aged 50-64 are invited every five years. But attendance rates are currently at a 21 year low.
The resolution, put forward by Disley WI, Cheshire Federation, calls for WI members to attend their own screening appointments, to raise awareness of the issue and to tackle the barriers to attendance.
The NFWI will now develop a full campaign plan to enable members to take action locally and nationally to help raise screening rates. More information is available here NFWI Memo AGM 2019 Resolution Passed Don’t Fear the Smear.
Campaigns:
If you know anyone in your WI who is interested in our campaigns, please direct them to the campaigns area of the NFWI website to sign up to receive the Public Affairs Digest.
To view the latest version: Public Affairs Digest May 2020
