Tirop's Angels to hold GBV-awareness 10km run

In a bid to create awareness and take the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to the community, Tirop’s Angels plans are underway to hold a 10km race and an awareness walk targeting the rift region with plans to expand in succeeding editions. 

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Tirop’s Angels is an organization founded by slain Olympian Agnes Tirop’s family in conjunction with and her fellow elite female athletes in a bid to educate, lobby and help hold accountable those who perpetrate crimes and injustices against the vulnerable, especially women and children. 

“We meet weekly just to give our fellow athletes a safe space to share their experiences and any concerns they have as far as the matter is concerned. For a long time, our athletes have kept these injustices to themselves because of how our society and our culture has normalized violence, especially against women. People make jokes out of others who are being abused in their relationship and it becomes hard for the victims to speak out,"

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"Tirop’s murder was, however, a wake-up call. She was a jovial person, always had a smile on her face and no one could suspect the kind of injustice she was going through. Now we have athletes seeking help for similar situations,” said marathoner Joan Chelimo who has been at the forefront of championing an end to GBV. 

The foundation is not just stopping at creating awareness, they have embarked on an education journey targeting schools and women. 

“On top of the race and walk, we have support from the county and national government, shoe companies as well as other stakeholders and are embarking on a school program that will teach young runners how to deal with conflicts in relationships. We are also educating women on their rights while educating the society on some cultural practices that normalize violence,” added Chelimo further stating that their scope is not limited to women but men who are facing GBV too. 

The marathoner further thanked Athletics Kenya who are holding nationwide consultative forums, following Tirop’s murder, aimed at giving athletes the chance to voice out their challenges on and off the track and road.