We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Rebecca Cheptegei, the esteemed Ugandan marathon runner, as well as to the Uganda Athletics Federation and her friends, following her tragic death reported today September 5, 2024. Rebecca, who succumbed to severe burns after allegedly being doused with petrol and set on fire by a former partner, was a remarkable athlete who recently competed in the Paris Olympics. At 33, she suffered burns to more than 75% of her body. This tragic event, which came to light on August 3, 2024, underscores the urgent need to confront and eliminate violence against women and girls (VAWG), an issue that impacts countless lives around the world.
Cheptegei’s attack in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, brings to light the extreme dangers faced by sports women in intimate relationships. The case of Agnes Jebet Tirop, a celebrated Kenyan long-distance runner, further highlights this crisis. Tirop, at just 25, was found stabbed to death in her home in October 2021. Known for her achievements, including competing in the Tokyo Olympics and setting a world record, Tirop was murdered by her husband.
Globally, the statistics on intimate partner violence are alarming. In 2021, approximately 45,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members, with intimate partners responsible for 56% of these homicides. In East Africa, an estimated 45% of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, primarily from intimate partners. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this crisis, with increases in sexual abuse, forced child marriage, and female genital mutilation during lockdowns. The global backlash against women’s rights, coupled with anti-feminist rhetoric and policies, has worsened the situation and heightened gender disparities.
The sports world also reflects disturbing patterns of violence. Nearly 21% of professional female athletes have experienced sexual abuse as children, nearly double the rate among male athletes. Additionally, police reports of domestic violence often surge during major sporting events, with increases of over 30% in some communities. During the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, women athletes faced 87% of abusive Twitter posts, highlighting the pervasive harassment they endure.
These incidents remind us that women are dying daily due to domestic violence and that we currently lack the tools and resources to effectively address it. They also underscore the urgent need for a renewed commitment from all of us to create a world where every woman and girl can live free from all forms of violence because in 2022 alone, Africa reported an estimated 20,000 femicide victims, making it the continent with the highest number of such cases.
