The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have announced plans to review existing athlete safeguarding policies, following allegations of sexual harassment reportedly involving members of the West Indies Women’s team during the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, March 21, 2025, the organisations confirmed that they were aware of the allegations, which are said to date back five years.
While no specific details have been made public, WIPA and CWI stated that they take such matters seriously and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a safe, professional, and supportive environment for all players and staff.
The planned review, according to the statement, will assess all aspects of athlete safeguarding within West Indies cricket.
Both organisations indicated that this initiative forms part of their ongoing efforts to uphold high standards of player welfare and to ensure the effectiveness of safeguarding measures.
WIPA and CWI also outlined several steps already taken to strengthen player protection. In 2021, revised safeguarding protocols were introduced for women’s international tours.
Additional measures were implemented in May 2023, including the provision of single-room accommodations for all members of the West Indies Senior Women’s team, aligning them with the standards applied to the men’s team.
These measures are among several included in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed for the period October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2027.
The organisations also noted the establishment of the CWI Women’s Cricket Transformation Committee, which aims to support the development and advancement of women’s cricket in the region.
Further policies highlighted include the adoption of UNICEF’s Child Protection Policy, which mandates that minors are not housed with adults, and the implementation of mandatory safeguarding training for all officials.
WIPA and CWI stated that the upcoming review is intended to further enhance existing protections and ensure that all players can operate in an environment of safety and respect. (PR)
