International Women’s Day in 2024 has taken a dynamic turn towards championing inclusivity with its #inspireinclusion initiative, and spearheading this movement is none other than Indian cricket sensation Smriti Mandhana. At the youthful age of 27, this luminary in women’s cricket has been selected alongside four other global athletes to embody the spirit and message of this year’s campaign, shining a spotlight on the significance of women’s rights and the essence of inclusivity at its heart.
March 8, recognized globally as International Women’s Day, is a beacon for advocating for gender equality and women’s rights worldwide. The inclusion theme is particularly pertinent, emphasizing the movement’s dedication to fostering environments where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive.
In a poignant display of solidarity and message, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released a video featuring Smriti Mandhana. She is seen engaging with a thought-provoking inquiry about her personal interpretation of inclusion. Her answer? Smriti eloquently conveys her feelings by presenting a heart symbol, transitioning into a clip of her scoring a victorious six in a cricket match. “Winning,” she articulates, symbolizing inclusion as a collective victory in the societal arena.
The significance of this message is further amplified as we look towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where cricket, among four other sports, will proudly be part of the Olympic roster. In anticipation of this monumental event, women athletes representing each of these five sports united to echo a resounding message of inclusion. Alongside Mandhana, this diverse group includes Diana Flores, a flag football prodigy from Mexico; Kelly Maxwell, a stalwart in American softball; Nour El Sherbini, a squash virtuoso from Egypt; and Erica Evans, a Canadian lacrosse icon.
Their collective pledge, “Watch us on the road to the LA28 Olympics. Watch us inspire inclusion for our fans and our game, the next generation. This International Women’s Day, we’re getting together to Inspire Inclusion today, so our sports can win every day,” is a powerful testament to their shared commitment to fostering inclusivity in sports and beyond.
Smriti Mandhana’s journey in international cricket, which commenced in 2013, is studded with remarkable achievements. A recipient of the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award twice, she has etched her name in history as the first Indian woman cricketer to notch up centuries in both ODI and Test formats on Australian soil. Furthermore, her leadership and prowess were instrumental in India securing a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games and a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The inclusion of cricket in the LA 2028 Olympics marks a historic moment, bridging a 128-year gap since its last appearance at the 1900 Paris Olympics. Back then, the competition featured only two men’s teams from Great Britain and France engaging in a Test match over two days. Fast forward to 2028, and the Olympic stage is set to host cricket in the Twenty20 (T20) format, with separate competitions for men’s and women’s teams, heralding a new era of inclusivity and global representation in the sport.
As we journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the endeavors of athletes like Smriti Mandhana and her counterparts across diverse sports disciplines underscore the transformative power of inclusion. Their collective voices, echoing the #inspireinclusion message, serve as a clarion call for embracing diversity, equality, and unity in the realm of sports and beyond. The International Women’s Day 2024 campaign, with its focus on inclusivity, not only celebrates the achievements and potential of women athletes but also paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable world of sports for future generations.
The collaborative efforts of Smriti Mandhana and her fellow athletes in the #inspireinclusion campaign for International Women’s Day 2024 transcend the boundaries of their respective sports, offering a vision of a future where inclusivity reigns supreme. This movement represents not just a celebration of women’s achievements but also a steadfast commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering a world where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to excel and be recognized for their talents. As we look forward to the inclusion of cricket and other sports in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, it’s clear that the impact of this campaign will reverberate, inspiring generations to come to champion the cause of inclusivity.