Why discrimination against women footballers is not illegal, asks HC

The High Court has issued a rule asking why the discrimination in salaries and benefits between women footballers and their male counterparts in Bangladesh should not be declared illegal. The rule was issued on Sunday by a bench led by Justice Shikdar Mahmudul Raji after a hearing on a writ petition.

Barrister Sumaiya Binte Tanvir represented the petitioners in court. The sports secretary, the national football federation and other relevant authorities have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

Speaking to Views Bangladesh afterwards, Barrister Sumaiya Binte Tanvir said, “There is discrimination everywhere between men’s and women’s football. Male footballers are paid Tk 50 to 60 lakh a year, while female footballers receive only Tk 6 to 7 lakh. They do not even receive regular salaries. They have no housing facilities, and regular leagues are not organised for them. Male players receive Tk 5 lakh as incentives when they win a match, while female players receive a token amount. After the SAFF victory, Tk 1.5 crore was announced as an incentive for the women’s team, but that money has still not been paid. We filed the writ challenging all these inequalities.”