19th February 2025 marked a pivotal day for Jumuiya Women Fund and our efforts in the fight against GBV and Femicide. This time our efforts were spread from advocacy dialogues to awareness campaigns on Gender Based Violence, including Femicide in among the Athletic community. WE Jumuiya Women Fund (JWF), in partnership with the Elgeyo Marakwet County Government and Athletics Kenya, led a powerful awareness campaign focused on the athletic community under the banner #ChampionsWithoutViolence. This was a community dialogue and stakeholder meeting in Iten, Iten Manasha Hotel, Elegeyo Marakwet County, popularly known as “Home of Champions”
The serene high-altitude town of Iten echoed not only with the rhythm of determined strides but with voices united against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide. Athletes Speak Out.
The campaign was graced with a walk procession through Iten, where athletes, coaches, community members, and local leaders boldly took to the streets, chanting for justice and awareness. The procession culminated in a powerful community engagement forum at Manasha Hotel, drawing together diverse stakeholders to confront the hidden epidemic of GBV within the sports community.
At the heart of this initiative was an unwavering focus on the athletes themselves, especially young girls and women, who are often silenced by fear, stigma, or systemic neglect. The bold voices of women and girls coming forth to detail their challenges and from their experiences, we get to truly understand the various factors that have fostered violence or tolerance of assaults in the training camps.
Voices of Leadership and Courage
The event was graced by H.E. Wisley Rotich, Governor of Elgeyo Marakwet County, along with officials from the National Gender and Equality Commission, County Gender Office, and Department of Sports. Their presence emphasized the urgency and commitment required to dismantle the silence around GBV and femicide.
“We cannot continue to live in a society where women fear for their lives. I stand firmly and boldly in taking decisive action against all forms of Gender-Based Violence. My government is fully committed to ensuring justice for women and families who have been victims of violence. We are putting systems in place to prevent GBV, protect survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.: said Governor Rotich.
“We cannot celebrate medals while ignoring the pain behind the podium. The same strength we see in athletes must be channeled to end gender-based violence in our communities,” said Milkah Cherotich, CEO Jumuiya Women Fund.
JWF’s work in Iten started weeks before the main event, with pre-visits and media engagements to mobilize the athletic community, engage local leadership, and coordinate community attendance. The groundwork laid during these visits was crucial in ensuring that the campaign reached not only athletes but also families, coaches, and community influencers. The stakeholder dialogue highlighted multiple challenges faced by athletes, including:
Sexual exploitation of young female athletes by coaches and mentors.
Financial abuse and manipulation due to low financial literacy among athletes.
Mental health concerns, including cases of suicide linked to abuse, pressure, and lack of psychosocial support.
Limited reporting pathways for survivors often lead to silence and continued abuse.
These revelations opened a critical space for shared responsibility among stakeholders, including federations, government agencies, community leaders, and the media,to take intentional action in protecting and empowering athletes.
Our Call: A Sporting World Free from Violence
At Jumuiya Women Fund, we believe that every girl and woman deserves to thrive in safety and dignity. The #ChampionsWithoutViolence campaign is a clarion call: Being a champion should never come with the cost of silence, exploitation, or fear.
We reaffirm our commitment to:
Advocate for safe spaces in sports for all.
Equip athletes with financial literacy and management skills to protect their earnings and independence.
Push for policy reforms that hold perpetrators accountable and uphold athlete welfare.
Amplify survivor voices and ensure justice and healing pathways.
Together, LET’S END FEMICIDE! This is just the beginning. JWF will continue to partner with counties, federations, and communities to ensure that no athlete is left behind in the fight against gender-based violence.
#ChampionsWithoutViolence is more than a hashtag—it’s a movement. And in Iten, that movement has begun with purpose, power, and unity.
