Media urged to intensify fight against GBV in sports

The Kenyan media has been urged to play a leading role in the fight against Gender Based Violence that is currently bedeviling our sporting community.

Speaking during SJAK Kip Keino Classic Media Workshop in Nairobi, Diana Watila C.E.O Gender Protection and Implementation Committee, State Department for Sports, noted that GVB is a monster that should be fought with the seriousness it deserves.

She called upon the media to intensify the fight in shaping the public opinion and perception on matters GVB.

“From the fallen Agnes Tirop of Kenya to Rebecca Cheptegei of Uganda, GBV is no respector  of person, creed, race, or culture,” Watila noted.

Watila, a career advocate with vast experience in legal and advocacy fields focusing on gender and human rights, highlighted in her presentation that the media needs to be very objective in their GBV coverage to safeguard policies and their reporting coverage on GBV.

“GBV cuts across all gender, but it affects more women than men, this is because of culture, stigma, inadequate distribution of resources and the power struggle,” Watila highlighted.

“The first priority when responding to GVB issue is to focus on the needs of the victims, ensure they are properly protected.  Prevention plays a central role in efforts to eradicate the root cause of the issue at hand. Provide accessible information about what the GVB issue is all about, its different forms, possible remedies and the existing support measures, ” Watila stated in the detailed presentation.

Kip Keino Classic Meet Director, Barnaba Korir, who highlighted on the success of the Continental Tour Gold Series praised the scribes for contributing in the growth and development of the global showdown.

“Through your immense coverage, we have had sponsors and partners who have propelled this contest to the next level,” Korir stated.

” Truth be said, this Meet is currently the best in the world, starting with our well organised media center that is helping scribes to relay live feeds to the rest of the world,” stated Korir.

Korir gave assurance that Ulinzi Sports Complex venue is due to be ratified by the global athletics body anytime between now and Saturday.

During the workshop, the scribes shared their personal experiences and relationships with athletes and officials, with some turning out bitter while others resulting into blessings in disguises.

This interactive session was conducted by immediate former Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) President Chris Mbaisi.

Current SJAK boss James Waindi thanked the organisers of the workshop for the noble seminar that also highlighted the plight of the scribes and urged organisers to stage more of those sessions to build networking and relationships with journalists.

Waindi also called on the media to embrace investigative journalism more so on matters dipping and governance.

The workshop is one of the many pre event activities held in the run up to the sixth edition of the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour which will be held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex after being moved from Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, 31 May 2025.

This year’s edition  marks the first time the event is being staged out of its traditional venues, Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums, since its inclusion in the World Athletics calendar in 2020.

This year’s edition has already attracted top European sprinters, among them the 2016 Olympic javelin champion Thomas Rohler from Germany, and both two-time world and Olympic Anderson Peters from Grenada and reigning hammer throw world champion Ethan Katzberg from Germany.