Deepika Padukone has welcomed the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) newly published guidelines for female cricketers returning from maternity leave, calling it a “landmark moment for women in sport”.The actress took to her Instagram Stories to share reports about the initiative and praised the move, which aims to help female athletes return to professional cricket after giving birth.
International Cricket Federation announces support for cricketer’s return after becoming a mother
The ICC’s new policy includes a structured return-to-play program after childbirth. It provides medical and psychological support, rehabilitation programmes, flexible training programmes, childcare support and mother and baby facilities.The initiative aims to ensure that female athletes do not have to choose between motherhood and a career in sport.
Deepika On the work challenges of becoming a mother
Deepika was at the center of discussions about working conditions in the film industry last year after reports emerged that she was seeking eight-hour shifts after becoming a mother.These reports surfaced amid speculations about her relationship with Kalki 2. While Deepika did not directly respond to the reports, she later spoke about working conditions and pay equality in Bollywood in an interview with CNBC-TV18.“I’ve done this on so many levels; it’s not new to me. I think even in terms of pay, I have to deal with everything that comes with it. I don’t even know what to call it, but I’m someone who always fights quietly,” she said.She added, “For some strange reason, sometimes they get made public, and that’s not the way I know how, and it’s not the way I was raised. But yes, fighting quietly and with dignity is the way I know.”By supporting the ICC’s maternity leave refund policy, Deepika has once again supported measures to make it easier for women to balance career and motherhood.
