Dear friends from all over the world,
I invite you to read this letter that we want to send to the World Bridge Federation.
The topic is the Abolition of Division between Women and Men in Youth Competitions.

The only reason I am referring to Youth Competitions is because I think they are the best place to start this change and hopefully, some time in the future, even adults won't have the need to be divided.
If you like to support us, please leave your name, mail and nationality. We truly appreciate.

Have a nice reading,
Hugs (virtually)

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"Dear Mr Ofir,

My name is Camilla Schiaffino and I am from Milan. I am a 21-year-old bridge player and I have been playing bridge for three years now. I am writing to you because I am really disappointed at the entire bridge system. It is 2020 and somehow girls and boys play bridge differently. We fight everyday for gender equality and yet, you divide Women competitions from Open ones.

Do you really need a women category? Why do you think it is normal? Bridge is not Tennis, Football or any other physical sport. Bridge is a mind game and there should be no gender distinctions. The fact that they exist definitely increases the gap between men and women.

I know that years ago, the number of women was so low that a separate competition could have helped to increase the number of female players, but now I do not really see the need of such a separation. We are definitely treated differently and this distinction does not help the spread of bridge among young generations, especially among women.

I firmly think that women and men play in the same manner. I teach bridge in middle schools and I see no difference between girls and boys, I do not see any difference between how I play and my male friends play. However, these distinctions lead a lot of ignorant people to think there is an actual difference. I hear sexist comments on a daily basis and the more I hear them, the less I want to keep playing.

Older generations might be used to this, but I refuse to think that kids and younger people see this difference, unless someone teaches them so. I do not want young girls to grow up thinking they play worse than boys, and I do not want to see a boy that sits at the table thinking he is playing with someone who is less talented than him, just because it is a girl.

I love bridge and I would love to see more young people involved in the game, but this situation is preventing me from spreading this game. Together with me a lot of Young players, males and females, think the same and I hope you do too.

Please be aware that this is a problem and that this distinction is just spreading sexism.

I really hope you take this email seriously, and hopefully things will change quickly. Look forward to your reply.

Camilla Schiaffino

22/05/2020, Milan, Italy

EDIT:

I am writing this edit because the main complaint that I had concerns cutting places in the national teams, leading to a lower number of people to have access to the national trainings and to be able to compete at an international level.

My point is that a selection based on gender is not fair.
This doesn't prevent us from replacing the U26W team with another one that is not gender-based. There are a lot of possible solutions that can be discussed, and I am personally listening to a lot of people's opinions about possible replacement teams.

If you have any idea that could help, you can write me an email. Thank you!"