Women’s Institute to continue to celebrate transgender women amid inclusivity row

Exclusive: Melissa Green, CEO of the organisation, says it won’t be part of ‘toxic’ debate on trans membership

The Women’s Institute will continue to “celebrate” the lives of the transgender women enriching its membership, the head of the organisation said on Tuesday, following reports that it was facing a bid to overturn inclusive policy.

Melissa Green, CEO of the the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI), said the organisation did not want to enter into a “toxic and divisive” row that sought to sow discord among women, but instead foster sensible discourse and reflect the lives of all its members – including those that are transgender.