Women activists call for reforms to protect female athletes from violence

Women activists are urging both national and regional governments to take stronger action against gender-based violence (GBV) to protect female athletes.

These calls were made during a press conference in response to the recent murder of Rebecca Cheptegel, a celebrated Ugandan Olympian, who was brutally killed by her boyfriend in Kenya.

Described as a "horrendous murder," Cheptegel's death has sent shockwaves through Uganda and Kenya, bringing attention to the growing threat that women, even accomplished athletes, face.

Her murder is part of a disturbing trend of violence against female athletes in the region, with advocates drawing comparisons to similar cases in Kenya.

Stella Rose Akutui, Coordinator of the Women's Land Rights Movement at LANDNet Uganda, emphasized the urgent need for governments to enforce domestic violence laws more strictly.

She called for faster prosecutions, tougher penalties for offenders, and increased funding for GBV prevention and justice systems.

Akutui also called on the Ministry of Education and Sports to lead reforms, including the creation of specific laws and regulatory bodies to address violence against female athletes.

Community awareness campaigns were also highlighted as essential to changing harmful social norms and supporting women-centered prevention and response services.

She extended her appeal to governments across East Africa, urging them to honor their commitments under various treaties and human rights instruments.

Further more she  stressed the importance of prioritizing women's safety and well-being as a key factor in sustainable development.

However she also proposed the creation of an African Union Convention focused on eliminating violence against women and girls, calling for cross-border coordination and policy enforcement to ensure accountability.

Elizabeth Kemigisha, Advocacy and Communications Manager for FIDA Uganda expressed solidarity with the Uganda Athletics Federation, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and women’s rights organizations across East Africa.

She urged governments to take decisive action against femicide and protect women’s rights.

"Her death is not just a personal tragedy; it’s a symbol of the escalating violence against women, and a reminder of how far we still have to go in protecting women’s rights."

Kemigisha emphasized that these cases are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of violence against women. In Kenya, recent data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 1 in 3 women has experienced GBV, with over 40% facing a lifetime of physical and sexual abuse from intimate partners. Femicide Count Kenya recorded 152 women killed in 2023 alone.

In Uganda, the 2023 Police Annual Crime Report documented 15,184 survivors of domestic violence, of whom 10,792 were women.

Kemigisha described the situation as a regional emergency, calling for immediate action from East African governments.

"The violence we are witnessing is like a cancer; it grows if left unchecked. Femicide is the ultimate result of years of mistreatment and abuse."

The activists also criticized the East African Community (EAC) for not prioritizing gender justice, despite commitments made under the EAC Treaty to promote human rights and social justice.

The disparity in legal frameworks and attitudes toward women's rights between countries like Uganda and Kenya underscores the need for a unified regional approach to GBV.

They also criticized Uganda’s justice system for failing to deliver substantial justice for survivors of violence, often engaging in victim-blaming.

As Uganda’s 2026 general elections approach, Grace Nayiga, Executive Director of Uganet, raised concerns about the potential for increased violence against women during the election period, a pattern seen in past elections.

Nayiga reiterated the need for governments across East Africa to fulfill their commitments to protect women’s rights, emphasizing the need to enforce domestic violence laws and increase funding for GBV prevention services.

She also urged governments to advocate for an African Union Convention aimed at eliminating violence against women