8 SEPTEMBER2024The South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) supports women's cricket participation, reaffirming its commitment to the sport following Cricket South Africa's approval of the Afghanistan ODI series for the men's team. SACA emphasizes investing in women's cricket growth alongside men's cricket, ensuring equal opportunities and resources. South Africa will face Afghanistan in three ODIs from September 18-22 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium but remains the only ICC Full Member without a women's team.Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO & Board Member of the World Cricketer's Association (WCA) mentioned "The Proteas Men white-ball series against Afghanistan later this month is one such series that forms part of the FTP. We respect the position of CSA in this regard as the national governing body for cricket." He added that the South African cricketers must reaffirm their commitment to supporting women's participation in cricket, as human rights issues under Taliban rule cannot be ignored. Cricket South Africa's decision to continue the ODI series follows Cricket Australia's postponement of a men's ODI series against Afghanistan as the Taliban bans women's participation in any sports.SACA CEO further said that the WCA and SACA oppose any exclusion of women's cricketers from South Africa's sport. They believe every athlete has the right to equality of opportunity, protected by international law and the Universal Declaration of Player Rights. The SACA, representing over 310 cricketers, urges South Africa to protect and respect the rights of Afghanistan's women's players in the first bilateral series between the Proteas and Afghanistan, despite only playing two ODIs against the Afghans. US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta, is set to visit India from September 11-16 to strengthen bilateral relations and advance the US-India Alliance for Women's Economic Empowerment. The visit will focus on tackling gender-based violence and enhancing collaboration on issues related to gender equality, health, and education. Dr. Geeta will co-host a meeting of the alliance, including key partners like the US Department of State, USAID, and the American India Foundation.The meeting will be graced by prominent delegates including Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Anjali Kaur. The alliance is set to hold its first in-person meeting on women's participation in the corporate workforce, STEM education, and entrepreneurship in India. Ambassador Geeta will address gender-based violence in public spaces, and speak at the USIBC Ideas Summit Panel 'Leading the Charge: Women Pioneers Shaping the US-Indian Corridor.' She will further meet government officials to discuss women's safety from gender-based violence (GBV) and engage in talks for the Dindigul Agreement with private sectors, labor, and civil society firms in order to foster women's safety. In addition to this, Dr. Geeta will deliver keynote remarks at the POWER Seminar in New Delhi on 'Empowering Women: Unveiling the Importance of Public Transport Facilities.'The visit aims to enhance economic opportunities for women in entrepreneurship, education, and health. She will advocate for gender equality through policy reforms, social empowerment programs, and violence reduction. IN FOCUSSACA CEO SUPPORTS AFGHAN WOMEN'S CRICKET PARTICIPATIONUS AMBASSADOR DR GEETA TO VISIT INDIA; ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
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