There’s nothing like a bit of good old-fashioned democracy to kick off the year, and our January meeting heralded the first vote on the National Federation resolutions.
Each year the entire membership of the WI votes for one or two campaigns that we’ll be throwing our weight behind, and the Swallowtails have a dedicated expert from our group to keep us informed. Swallowtail Jenny liaises with the Norfolk Federation to get all the information we need to know before we vote, and then the first round sees us got to the polls to select our favourite out of five suggested resolutions. It’s always fascinating to see what issues and causes are put to our vote. This year’s choices were no exception. Here’s a rundown of the five resolutions we could choose from: 1. Positive body image in a digital age This meeting urges every WI and the NFWI to campaign to ensure that government and the media industry promote healthy body images and ensure diversity is represented in the media. 2. Stop female genital mutilation Almost 200,000 women and girls in England and Wales are affected by or threatened with the risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). This figure rises to 200 million worldwide. FGM is illegal in the UK, but it is still happening. We urge the NFWI to use its collective voice and influence to raise wider awareness of the traumatic health consequences of FGM and support and partner with agencies that are working to end this practice in the UK and worldwide. 3. Raising awareness of modern slavery in the UK Modern slavery affects thousands of people in the UK every year, and leaves them facing servitude, forced or compulsory labour, sexual exploitation and human trafficking. This meeting calls on every WI and the NFWI to raise awareness of this important issue and to lobby for more effective support for the physical and psychological health of victims of this crime. 4. Mental health matters Mental health matters as much as physical health. The NFWI urges all WI members to recognise the importance of parity between mental health and physical health and take action to make it as acceptable to talk about mental health issues as much as physical health issues, and to lobby government for better support for mental illness. 5. Healthier Mouth, Healthier Body Health research suggests that there is a link between gum health and serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and even dementia. The NFWI calls upon the government to raise awareness about the importance of oral health and the impact that it can have in preventing life-changing acute and chronic health conditions. From here, the votes are counted, and we’ll discover which resolutions will be taken forward. With such a diverse selection to choose from we look forward to finding out where the WI will be focusing our energies. Following our resolutions talk, it was down to some cake and crafting as we made green hearts to form part of the Norfolk Federation display to raise awareness for climate change. We’re proud to be part of a group of women nationwide who care passionately about causes and try to do good. These aspect of the WI, combined with all the fun and friendship we experience is what makes our Swallowtail group so special.
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