The Ministry of Youth and Sports has formed a five-member committee to ensure the protection, safety, participation and overall development of women in sports in Bangladesh.
According to an official order issued by the ministry on June 2, the committee has been constituted under the provisions of the National Sports Council Act, 2018 to help create a more inclusive and supportive environment for female athletes.
Former national table tennis player and National Sports Award recipient Zobera Rahman Linu has been appointed chairperson of the committee.
The other members are Farida Yasmin, a member of parliament representing a reserved women's seat; Bangladesh Women's Sports Association president Barrister Sarowat Siraj Shukla; Professor Nasrin Sultana of the Institute of Health Economics at the University of Dhaka; and Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Umme Israt.
The committee has been tasked with formulating programmes to ensure the protection, safety, participation, development and empowerment of women in sports.
It will also work to increase women's participation and leadership in the sporting arena and recommend measures to expand opportunities for promising female athletes at the grassroots level.
Among its key responsibilities are proposing initiatives related to athletes' health, nutrition, mental well-being and social security, identifying and removing barriers to women's participation in sports, and promoting sports as a tool for women's empowerment and rights.
The committee will also focus on establishing a safe and equitable environment for women in sports and provide recommendations for strengthening policies and support systems for female athletes.
Under its terms of reference, the committee will submit written progress reports to the government every two months and may co-opt experts on specific issues when necessary.
The ministry said the order was issued with the approval of the competent authority.