Olympians, athletes unite to end gender-based violence

The campaign aims to raise awareness, demand action, and honour the lives of female athletes lost to violence.

1in3’s creation follows the murder of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who returned home from competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to be doused in petrol and set on fire in front of her children by a former partner.

Cheptegei is not the only athlete to face such brutality – in fact, she is the third female athlete to suffer a violent death at the hands of an intimate partner.

Kenyan athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Muthee were killed in October 2021 and April 2022 as a result of domestic violence.

“Rebecca’s murder is a stark reminder that women, even those who have achieved incredible things on the world stage, are not immune to the dangers of gender-based violence. Rebecca reported the abuse, yet no action was taken – this is unacceptable,” said Joan Chelimo, a Kenyan runner and friend of Tirop who co-founded Tirop’s Angels.

“It’s time for our leaders to prioritise the safety of women and children, and to confront the harmful beliefs that perpetuate this violence. As athletes, we must use our voices not just to honour those we’ve lost, like Rebecca, but to demand change for all women. People should not fear for their lives because they dare to live independently, to be fulfilled and free.”

According to the United Nations, one in three women worldwide experiences violence. Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed by an intimate partner.

Athletes have now come together to lend their voices and platforms to drive meaningful change.

The first phase of the 1in3 movement began with a mass media campaign in Uganda, which was launched on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25). The campaign launched in collaboration with Reach a Hand Uganda and the Ugandan Athletes’ Commission.

1in3 will expand globally in 2025 with campaigns tailored to local contexts, to help create safer environments for women and drive legislative reforms. As part of this effort, an Athlete Council has been formed.

“The fact that so many Olympians and other athletes have come together so quickly to show their support for 1in3 demonstrates the importance of addressing gender-based violence,” Gaby Dabrowski, a three-time Olympian representing Canada, Paris 2024 Bronze medallist and doubles tennis player, told Global Sustainable Sport.

“As a collective we are fortunate to be able to use our platforms to raise awareness and amplify the voices of those unheard.”

Image + Video: 1in3