WI members decide 2025/26 campaign

On Wednesday, 4 June 2025, WI members voted in force to support a major new campaign for 2025/6, titled Bystanders can be Lifesavers – to increase vital CPR and defibrillator skills across the UK.

This popular motion was passed by a huge majority of delegates at the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) Annual Meeting, held online this year. Thousands of members joined from their homes and WI watch parties around England, Wales, and the Islands.

Melissa Green, CEO of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI), said,

“We’re thrilled to be able to raise even greater awareness of an issue that we know affects women in different ways. For example, sensitivities about removing or cutting bras have led to women not receiving the same treatment as men in the instance of a heart attack. Compounding this, 95% of CPR training mannequins represent a male torso, limiting confidence and training in administering CPR to women.

“Our members will step up to demand a change, working with local partners and charities to reinforce the need to include gendered training, increase defibrillator competence, and how to look out for the symptoms of a heart attack in women.”

The NFWI will now work across its network of over 180,000 women with locally based charities and other groups to help deliver CPR and defibrillator training across its membership, and check the accessibility of their nearest defibrillators.

Members will also apply their signature craftivism to raise awareness of the campaign with decision makers and the public across its 5,500 regional Federations.

The WI prides itself on being a trusted place for all women of all generations, with a rich and successful legacy of campaigning to protect the rights of women, voiceless communities, and to preserve the natural environment.

A WI membership enables women to find fun and friendship with other women, share experiences, and make a difference in their communities through our wide-ranging campaigns, including ending violence against women, improving diagnoses for neurodiverse conditions, tackling climate change, and transforming NHS dental healthcare.

Find out more about the campaign here.