Nyahururu based athletes have been sensitized on the need to be proactive in tackling Gender-related violence among their colleagues.
This was disclosed by retired marathoner Catherine Ndereba during a training being undertaken by Athletic Kenya (AK) in collaboration with the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and Equity Bank at the Nyahururu Social Hall
The intention is to encourage athletes to be at the forefront in addressing issues and cases related to gender-based violence (GBV).
AK officials present have organised a series of training programs in various parts of the country in the wake of increased cases of murder, sexual abuse, and financial exploitation among other related violence meted out to athletes.
Veteran and retired marathoner Catherine Ndereba, AK officials, and partners have urged athletes to speak up and raise their voices against GBV regardless of what society thinks of them.
“Our athletes work hard to earn a living but it is unfortunate that some of them have lost their hard-earned money to their partners or are killed due to family differences,” noted Ndereba.
She encouraged the athletes to be their brothers’ keeper. Her sentiments were echoed by AK’s officer in charge of safeguarding Ms. Elizabeth Keittany and other stakeholders in the forum who challenged victims to seek professional counseling and advice when they face such challenges.
They noted that financial exploitation and sexual abuse were some of the common causes of GBV among the athletes and hence called on the participants be careful not to fall into the trap of unscrupulous coaches, managers, relatives or lovers.
They also challenged them to get a financial advisor to help them invest wisely their hard-earned money.
By Antony Mwangi
