WDI weekly newsletter

News from WDI

WDI complains to UNWomen following CSW66

Following the conclusion of the recent CSW66, WDI has written to UN Women to raise serious concerns about the organisation’s adoption of gender ideology language and to ask them to revert to clear sex-based language as used in CEDAW. If you are on Twitter please share our update. 

WDI publishes first annual report

WDI has published our first annual report. Visit our Resources page to download a copy and read about what WDI women all over the world have been doing in the last 12 months.

WDI is writing a book!

The provisional title is 'A Report on the Spread of 'Gender Identity' Ideology Around the World'. We'll be providing some more information at FQT on 14 May so make sure to come along if you're interested. Look out for more info in the newsletter on 18 May where we'll be inviting proposals for articles. 

WDI USA statement on leaked Roe v Wade opinion

'Roe is likely dead and, again, women are grieving and we grieve with our sisters. But we will never stop fighting for women’s complete reproductive integrity, including the right to abortion on demand, without apology.' More on the WDI USA website.  

WDI publishes latest accounts

WDI has published its latest accounts. Download a copy here.

Follow WDI on Gettr

The WDI Gettr account is now up and running. Follow us here. 

WDI India opposes 'gender neutral' hostels petition

India WDI has submitted a formal communication to the following departments against a petition that seeks higher and professional educational institutions to allot hostels to students on the basis of their “gender identity” instead of biological sex. The hearing is expected on the 6th of June this year.

WDI Québec - surrogacy in Ukraine

Ghislaine Gendron and Clemence Trilling of WDI Québec write in La Presse on the exploitation of women and babies in commercial surrogacy in Ukraine.  

WDI Germany - four reasons to stop saying 'gender dysphoria'

Stefanie Bode of WDI Germany writes in 4W. German translation available here. 

WDI webinars are availble on Spotify

If you prefer to listen to our webinars as a podcast you can find them all on Anchor.fm or Spotify. 

WDI Feminist Question Time (FQT) takes place on Saturdays at 15.00 UK time. This week, 7 May, we have:
Melissa Farley, USA, Sexism, Gender Identity, and Prostitution: ‘trans’ advocacy and ‘sexwork’ advocacy are political movements rooted in sexual objectification
T. (Lesbians United), USA, Playing Offense with Pro-Lesbian Language
Kaila Manfah, Togo, Women's sex-based rights in Togo
Sall Grover, Australia, Giggle
Register here. 

WDI Radical Feminist Perspectives (RFP) takes place on Sundays at 10.00 UK time. This week, 8 May, we are discussing 'Gender Critical Feminism' (a new book published in 2022) by Holly Lawford-Smith discussed by Holly Lawford-Smith, Caroline Norma and Jo Brew. Register here.

Campaigns

WDI signatory sues Green Party

Dr Dawn Furness is suing the Green Party of England and Wales for institutional sexism after she was twice assaulted by party members and then expelled. Her crowdfunder is open for donations. 

Sex-based rights around the world

Canadian legislation threatens freedom of speech

The Liberal Party's Bill C-261 includes 'gender identity and expression' to the list of characteristics protected from hate propaganda, hate crimes, and hate speech under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Human Rights Act. Read more from Simone XX on Women are Human.

Male inmate convicted of raping women in female wing at Rikers Island

Ramel Blount, a male inmate at Rikers Island, has been convicted of raping a woman in the female wing. Prison authorities have not said why he was placed on the women's wing. 

Male couple announce they are India's first 'trans lesbian' couple

Two men in Kerala have claimed to be India's first 'trans lesbian' couple. 

Midwifery students taught that men can give birth

Midwifery students at Scottish university were given course materials that claimed men can give birth through. 

German institution refers to female anatomy as 'front hole'

A German government institution has called women 'people with short urethras' with a 'front hole'. Read the full article in Reduxx.

Women prisoners in UK forced to shower with male inmates

Three women prisoners speak to Andreia Erbon in 4W about their experiences with male inmates in female prisions. 

Man arrested for robbing and sexually harassing woman on train

A man who claims a female 'gender identity' has been charged with robbing and sexually harassing a woman in the ladies' compartment of a train in India. 

UK announces enquiry into gender treatment of children

Sajid Javid, the UK's health secretary, has announced an enquiry into the treatment of 'gender-distressed' children in the UK. Read Transgender Trend's response. 

Florida Dept of Health publishes new guidelines on 'gender' treatment

The Department of Health in Florida has issued new guidance on the treatment of 'gender dysphoria' in children and adults which advises against the use of hormonal treatments, surgery and social transition for anyone under 18.

FCA scraps plan to include men in boardroom quotas for women

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority has scrapped plans to include men who claim to be women in female diversity targets after a consultation showed that all but one of 439 respondents were against the move. 

Resources

'Random hard drive checks for MPs?'

'Why should we accept that men in power will use pornography as a sad fact of life?' Jo Bartosch writes on MPs using porn in the UK's House of Commons. 

'The wrong sort of lesbian'

A lesbian writes about her experience of being censured at a recent Lesbian Visibility Week event which chose instead to celebrate a man who claims a female 'gender identity'. 

'Will Elon Musk's Twitter be better for feminists?'

'Although Musk may be currently aligned with feminists on one issue, the fact remains that women can not rely on male-controlled platforms to protect our rights.' MK Fain writes in Feminist Current. 

Events

'Gender-Based Violence As Torture Inflicted By Non-State Actors'

Jeanne Sarson and Linda Macdonald are speaking at this open Zoom meeting on 19 May from 1:10 - 2 00 PM (CET) at the 31st Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, United Nations, Vienna. Join here.