Wilkinson said she would like to see more families embrace the women’s game and that there is still a perception that it is inferior to the men’s game.
“I hate this men vs. women debate, I’ve talked to Craig. [Bellamy, Wales men’s manager] About it at length,” he added.
“I’m as big a supporter of his as he is of mine, and there’s no comparison. We’re Welsh, we’re proud to be Welsh, we’re proud of the Welsh game. Your Welsh women’s team is world class. Come and support them.
“Get rid of all that second story that’s in the back of your head. It’s time to move on and just support our female and male athletes alike.
“Whenever I feel like we’re showing our young people, boys and girls, that there’s more and less than that and that it’s gendered, it really bothers me.
“Because I can see this next generation, don’t think they’re not seeing their moms and dads bring them into a men’s game, like it’s more important.
“I’m not talking about the financial value and I think people get confused. I’m talking about what you’re showing and showing that men are just pretending. More deserving or how you talk about it at home.”
“Men’s boss Bellamy has been an excellent advocate,” Wilkinson said.
“The men’s team, I’ve had a few of them come in to talk to a bunch, it means a lot,” he said. “Why don’t we try to grow each other and promote each other?
“And I think Craig is the epitome of that. He’s never mentioned being a father or a wife or a mother. He’s just a proud Welshman and the opportunity for women to take the game to the world stage.”
Wilkinson added that players such as Jess Fishlock, Wales’ most capped player and record goalscorer, were “criminally underrated, even at home”, and said she hoped Wales’ first major final appearance could create a lasting legacy of further opportunities for girls at grassroots level. .
“I think my biggest, biggest message is that we can’t be okay with it being so difficult for our young girls to get the same opportunities,” added the former defender, who played for Canada. 183 caps won.
“I’m hoping that this Euros campaign will only continue to highlight these incredible women, ambassadors for the game, give them the platform they so richly deserve and get the message across even more. will resonate – not only in our cities but across the wonderful country.
“Because there are so many lovely little areas in Wales it’s a challenge not only to have a women’s team but to have these young girls’ teams competing.
“It’s a challenge, it needs to keep investing, and keep growing.”