Despite women getting success, pay disparity with men remain

Infograph: TBS

Bangladesh's women's teams in cricket and football have been doing well and bringing the nation glory over the past few years but that has not been reflected enough in the amount of money they make.

Not only does a female sportsperson have to deal with social barriers but the financial one is an equal obstacle. 

Former national team cricketer Sathira Zakir Jesy spoke on the pay gap between male and female sportspersons in Bangladesh to The Business Standard.

"It is not easy for women here. The amount of money they make from cricket, or even football is not good, especially when you compare it with what their male counterparts make."

She however believes that the pay for female footballers will get better, now that they have won the Saff Championship. 

"I hope that the success of the women's football team will lead to their pay being improved now. The salaries and match fees of the women's cricket team improved after they won the Asia Cup. It was even lower before," she explained.

She expressed that the situation in Bangladesh is worse than in neighbouring countries like India, where their female players are paid more and are given other jobs to do in the off-season. 

"When you compare with our neighbouring countries, like India, their female sportsperson make more money. Plus, they are given jobs in the military and other such services too, to ensure they have a financially stable life," she revealed. 

But the real issue isn't in the pay gap but that of the players that are not in the national team, players that want to make it to the national team.

"The women that are playing for the national team can still make a decent amount of money. But most of the ones that are not there are having a tough time making a living only by playing cricket. It's the domestic scene where bigger issues lie," Jessy expressed.

Better infrastructure, money for equipment and facilities are all necessary for women's sports to thrive.

Of course, it can be argued that there isn't enough money in women's sports due to a lack of interest, and therefore viewership and sponsorship.

But that still doesn't make matters easier for young girls willing to take up sports and make it as a pro as there is so little money at the grassroots level.

The BFF need to be credited nonetheless for planning well with the national women's football team and getting Saff glory.

However, for the team to go from strength to strength, domestic football needs to do that.

The Saff winners will certainly be treated as heroes now, the money should start to flow in from all corners.

But one hopes that this is just the beginning for the women's team and interest increases so that cash gets injected into the system. 

At the end of the day, yes the wage gap between men and women in sports in Bangladesh might make sense as men's cricket and football are more popular and generate more money.

What is, however, the area of concern, is the lack of money at the domestic level in women's sports and just how immensely difficult it is for them to make it.