TIB urges BCB to adopt gender-sensitive safeguarding policy

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called for urgent action over sexual harassment allegations in the national women's cricket team, issuing a press release on Sunday.

Former women's team captain Jahanara Alam accused a former selector and team manager, Monjurul Islam, prompting the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to form a three-member investigation committee.

While welcoming the committee, TIB urged the inclusion of at least two independent experts with experience in investigating harassment to ensure impartiality and professionalism.

The organisation also criticised the BCB's lack of a formal safeguarding policy, which violates ICC guidelines and High Court directives. ICC rules require all boards to ensure participants' safety, appoint trained safeguarding officers, and enforce a zero-tolerance policy for abuse or harassment.

TIB executive director Dr Iftikharuzzaman said: "Previously, the BCB has taken no action against earlier harassment complaints, allowing perpetrators to go unpunished. This institutionalises male dominance in Bangladeshi cricket and undermines opportunities for women."

Beyond harassment, TIB highlighted broader governance concerns, including repeated match-fixing allegations, financial irregularities, and weak accountability. Earlier recommendations to form an independent anti-corruption unit and promote ethical practices remain largely unimplemented.

TIB called on the BCB to immediately establish an independent, gender-sensitive complaints and redress committee and adopt ICC-compliant safeguarding measures, warning that continued inaction risks undermining both women's cricket and the sport's integrity in Bangladesh.