Rasheda Rawnak Khan speakes to DOT
Bangl-adesh clinched the title of the inaugural SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship, beating Nepal 1-0. Nevertheless, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has been discouraging our girls by not recognising their success. I think such nonchalance will impede their onward march.
The BFF itself is a great barrier to the participation of women in sporting activities. Driven by capitalistic mindset, the football federation is least concerned about our women. The organising is pouring in money only for the boys. Unlike the boys, the girls of our country are deprived of the facilities. Despite being a rich organisation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is not doing anything to ensure the financial security of the women cricketers.
In our male-dominated society, the girls are not encouraged to take part in sports and their success is not duly celebrated. Because, women are still considered to be a commodity. Moreover, there is religious injunction over women participation in sports. It also acts as a hurdle for our women to go ahead.
Writer is Associate Professor, Anthropology Department, Dhaka University
Based on an interview by Tanzina Tanin and translated by Hossen Sohel