HIGHLIGHTS-
- ICC inaugurated the ‘100% Cricket Year of Women’s Cricket’ campaign.
- The initiative has been launched to promote gender equality and empower women and girls through cricket.
- The ICC is encouraging cricket fans around the world to use the hashtag #IDeclare.
Cricket’s global governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) inaugurated its ‘100% Cricket Year of Women’s Cricket‘ campaign coinciding with International Women’s Day. The initiative has been launched to promote gender equality and empower women and girls through cricket.
The sport’s global governing body said in a statement, “The 100% Cricket Year of Women’s Cricket campaign has been introduced to help promote transformative change and be part of driving the growth of the game,”
‘100 percent Cricket Year of Women’s Cricket’
Despite recent progress, there is still much to be done in terms of attracting more attention to the women’s game. The ‘100 percent Cricket Year of Women’s Cricket campaign is being launched in order to better promote the women’s game and bring about the much-needed reform. The global governing body of cricket has invited supporters to use the hashtag #IDeclare to help promote gender equality and women’s empowerment via cricket.
#IDeclare
The ICC is encouraging cricket fans around the world to use the hashtag #IDeclare. The initiative has been started to indicate what they can do to further promote gender equality and further empower women and girls through cricket.
Many cricket stars as well as fans supported the initiative, Indian captain Mithali Raj one of the first to show her support. Furthermore, Pakistan Captain Bismah Maroof and Bangladesh seamer Jahanara Alam followed the suit. They quoted-
#IDeclare — “I declare that I will scout and train as many young girls as possible to take up this wonderful sport,” Mithali said.
#IDeclare — “I declare I will encourage my daughter to play cricket,” Maroof said.
#IDeclare — “I declare I will work hard and play good cricket to set an example not only for Bangladeshi girls but also all over the world,” Alam added.
“Tremendous potential and reach to raise awareness and impact change”: ICC CEO
Geoff Allardice, the current CEO of the ICC, commented on the initiative and stated that sport has a huge reach and can effect change. Further, he stated that the ICC has partnered with UNICEF to support the cause.
He quoted “Cricket has incredible power and reach to raise awareness and effect change and we’re proud to partner with UNICEF as part of 100 percent Cricket Year of Women’s Cricket to #IDeclare our commitment to empowering women and girls through cricket.
“We are committed to gender equity”
Further, Allardice added, “We are committed to gender equity, and leveraging our sport’s platform to promote equal opportunities for girls and boys is an excellent way to do so.” We’ll focus all of our Cricket 4 Good efforts on this as well, ensuring that as many women and girls as possible have the opportunity to grow via our game.”
