BCB Forms Independent Committee Led by Rashna Imam to Investigate Harassment Complaints by Women Cricketers

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken a new initiative to ensure a safe and respectful environment for women cricketers. The board has formed a five-member independent committee to receive complaints of sexual harassment and abuse and to investigate them impartially. Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Rashna Imam has been made the head of the committee.

The other members of the committee are Barrister Nazia Kabir, Barrister Anita Gazi Rahman and Zarin Mahmud Hossein. A former cricketer will also be added to the committee, but that name has not yet been finalised.

The most notable aspect of the new committee is that no one connected with the BCB has been kept on it. The decision was taken to avoid internal influence or conflicts of interest in receiving and investigating complaints. The board hopes women cricketers will now be able to lodge their complaints without any pressure or hesitation.

Before the BCB's most recent election, Rashna Imam was a member of the convening committee led by Tamim Iqbal. At that time she also served as head of the women's wing.

On the formation of the committee, women's wing chief Rafiqul Islam told the media: 'There had long been a demand for such a committee. Now we have formed it. Any cricketer who wishes can come here and speak.'

Allegations of harassment in Bangladesh women's cricket are not new, however. Former national team captain Jahanara Alam had earlier raised an allegation of sexual abuse against a person connected with the team management. The BCB formed an inquiry committee after that allegation.

At that time, the board had also spoken of strengthening institutional safeguards by forming a complaints committee following a 2009 High Court Division verdict. BCB director and women's wing committee chief Rubaba Dowla had then been given the leadership of the inquiry committee.

By forming a new independent five-member committee, the BCB now wants to make it easier for women cricketers to lodge complaints. The board says the main aim of the initiative is that cricketers can present their experiences in an environment free of fear, hesitation or influence.