We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who was brutally murdered by her former partner. As a talented marathon runner who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, Rebecca’s life was cut short by an act of violence that underscores the urgent need to address gender-based violence in our societies.
Her passing is a stark reminder of the pervasive and insidious nature of violence against women. This incident highlights the normalized acts of violence along a continuum that many women face daily, in public and in private, ranging from subtle harassment to extreme acts of violence and brutality during times of “peace” and periods of unrest.
We are committed to combating the systemic inequalities perpetuating such violence at Utu Wetu. As we emphasize in our work:
“Gender-based violence is a form of violence directed against a person because of their gender and is a phenomenon rooted in gender inequality and continues to be one of the most pervasive human rights violations in most societies. While both men and women experience gender-based violence, the majority of the reported victims are women.”
We call for justice for Rebecca and all victims of gendered violence, and we renew our commitment to creating an equitable and just world for women and girls.
Let us honor her memory and the scores of other women who have died because of gendered forms of violence by continuing to advocate for systemic change and accountability by and through the state to ensure that such tragedies are no longer tolerated in our societies.