The Bylaws Committee is currently engaged in an important discussion regarding the consequences for members who seriously or repeatedly violate WILPF’s Code of Conduct. WILPF US adheres to the same Code of Conduct as the rest of WILPF International, and we are seeking input from our membership on the structures needed to ensure a safe working environment free from harassment or derogatory remarks by fellow members.

To facilitate this, we will hold a webinar early next year to openly discuss ideas and suggestions for codifying and maintaining protections for our members. Our goal is to determine how we can focus on the meaningful work we have been doing and continue to do without fear of hostility.

As a feminist-led peace organization, WILPF US has been making significant contributions for over 110 years, with many notable members creating a positive impact worldwide. Despite our progress, we have faced internal conflicts, particularly in the past two decades, as the rapid advancement of online communication has transformed how we connect across regions. While these tools make networking and collaboration easier—allowing friendships and alliances to grow from afar—they can also lead to friction and animosity.

It can be hard to believe that, within a women’s peace organization, some members might, despite their hearts being in the right place, view other members as their primary challenge. While many of us avoid those with whom we do not get along and focus on our goals, there have been instances in which members have targeted others with verbal attacks, shifting public discussions away from collaboration toward personal discrediting. Unfortunately, we have witnessed this behavior on various platforms in recent years.

Having majored in Interpersonal Communications and Leadership and Organizational Communications, I learned that each person interprets messages in their unique “voice.” The tone and implied meanings can alter the perception of a message, even if not explicitly stated. However, overtly harmful behaviors, such as name-calling and threats, are hard to misinterpret and cannot be excused or rationalized.

As the chair of WILPF’s newest issue committee, Domestic Prisoners of War, which focuses on eradicating domestic violence, I have contemplated how the fallout from cyberbullying affects bystanders and potential new members. This concern has led me to repeatedly emphasize the need for the Bylaws Committee to establish clear boundaries and guidelines to protect our members from abuse by fellow members.

Thank you to all our members for contributing to the inspiring and wonderful work we do at WILPF. We welcome your thoughts, questions, or suggestions before the webinar! Please send them to the Bylaws Committee Chair, Darien De Lu, at bylawscomments@wilpfus.org.