The International Cricket Council (ICC), world governing body of cricket, has continued its commitment to empowering women and girls through cricket by embarking on a new campaign that coincided with International Women’s Day on March 8.

The ‘100% Cricket Year of Women’s Cricket’ campaign has been introduced by the ICC to help drive transformative change and be part of accelerating the growth of the game, the cricket body said in a statement on its website.

Using the #IDeclare hashtag, the ICC is asking all cricket fans worldwide to show what they can do to further promote gender equality and further empower women and girls through cricket.

The ICC announced the partnership with UNICEF on International Women’s Day to promote equal opportunities for girls and boys in South Asia.

ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said, “Cricket has the incredible power and reach to raise awareness and effect change and we’re proud to partner with UNICEF as part of ‘100% Cricket Year of Women’s Cricket’ to #IDeclare our commitment to empowering women and girls through cricket.”

“We are committed to gender equity and using the platform of our sport to promote equal opportunities for girls and boys is a great way of doing this. We will also focus all of our Cricket 4 Good efforts on this too, ensuring we’re giving as many women and girls the chance to grow through our game,” he added.

Cricket stars currently competing at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand wasted no time in getting behind the new campaign with India captain Mithali Raj one of the first to show her support.

#IDeclare – “I declare that I will scout and train as many young girls as possible to take up this wonderful sport,” Raj said.

Pakistan Captain Bismah Maroof and Bangladesh seamer Jahanara Alam followed suit shortly after.

#IDeclare – “I declare I will encourage my daughter to play cricket,” Maroof said.

#IDeclare – “I declare I will work hard and play good cricket to set an example not only for Bangladeshi girls but also all over the world,” Alam added.

Now cricket fans all over the world are urged to get involved and #IDeclare what they will do to drive transformational growth of the game, ICC said.