In May of this year, the Gender Commission of the Ibero-American Go Federation was officially launched. This is made in an attempt to invite all the Go community to join the search for more diverse and equitable Go participation conditions. Their philosophy is that the construction of a more solidary world, inclusive for all the ‘different us’ that inhabit it, is a need that can no longer be postponed.

This initiative brings together ladies from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Mexico, who answered an open call to form the commission, and who have established the basis, objectives, and vision of the project. Their background lies within the founding of the Argentinian Gender Commission, and by the experience of some events which brought players together, such as the female match of Argentina v. Chile on a 6 v. 6 player format.

Their goal is to improve conditions of the Latin American Go scene to promote women’s and minorities’ participation. They’ve set the goal of organising a Female Latin American Rengo Championship and different types of team tournaments, in which women from all the region can feel comfortable to play.

As a matter of fact, in late July, the 1st Latin American Female Rengo took place on Pandanet, where 14 ladies out of 4 countries played a 7-pair, 3-round Swiss system tournament. In the final match, Agostina Romero and Gisella Gastin from Argentina beat Renate Reisenegger and Claudia Flores from Chile, allowing the pair to claim the Championship. The kifu of this match is presented below.

It’s worth mentioning that the Commission got Cho Hye-Yeon 9p to be their godmother, and as part of this task she made a video review of the Rengo final match. This is a great honour for the Commission, considering Cho’s successful trajectory in Korean and International Go. She was awarded an official certificate from the Commission on Sao Paulo, Brazil during the 3rd Latin American Go Congress in October.

Now the Commission has opened registrations for the 1st Latin American Female Team Tournament, which will take place in December 22 on OGS and all ladies are welcome to join.

The commission invites us all to collaborate with this initiative. Their message is that together we can create a more inclusive Go scene for us and future generations.

You can follow the Commission through their social media such as Facebook and webpage.

 

 

Report by Emil García based on the text ‘Gender equity in Go: a challenge that can no longer be postponed’ by Valeria Sánchez.