Sports stakeholders commit to eradicate gender based violence in sports

In light of the ongoing Agnes Tirop Conference in Kwale County, representatives of various sports organizations have come up with declarations and commitments meant to achieve gender equity in sports and cure gender based violence in the trade. The conference which began on Monday and is set to run up until Friday has seen various sports stakeholders converge in Diani to launch the Gender Welfare and Equity in Sports report as well as deliberate on key issues ranging from governance, youth,funding, compliance with the Sports Act among others.

Here are the declarations and commitments by sports organizations:

Each sports organization will initiate the process of revising their constitution and policies to reflect the Sports Act and any other Acts and policies for the promotion and protection of gender equity;

Each sports organization shall develop an implementation framework for the recommendations adopted in the Report on Gender Welfare and Equity in Sports.

Sports Organizations will submit to the office of the Registrar of Sports a semi-annual report on the implementation of the recommendations of the report;

Sports Organizations will comply with the guidelines issued by the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund to be considered for funding.

Sports Organizations will explore alternative sources of financing by engaging the Corporate Sector and other development partners to ensure there is sufficient funding to take care of athlete welfare;

The Ministry and Sports Organizations commit to embrace an athlete-centric culture in all their undertakings and adopt a zero-tolerance to corruption, mal-administration and gender-based violence;

All Sports Organizations commit to engage in capacity building of youth on gender equity matters;

All Sports Federations commit to establishing and gradually strengthening basic structures of operations including office and administrative staff.

Each Federation will establish mechanisms that ensure fair selection of athletes, coaches and other technical staff on all their teams.

All federations will ensure they prioritize the mental health of athletes by undertaking periodic training and assessment of all the athletes in their respective federations.

“In 2008, Beijing Olympic Games there were 8 women, in 2012, London Games we had 20 women, the numbers hit high in the Rio Olympics with 42 Women and recently in Tokyo we took 48 women to the Olympics. 166% participation increase in women sports since 2008 to 2021. “NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku said.

“Last year in Tokyo we decided the women will have some positions, not based on token but radical change. The CEO of the Tokyo Games was a woman, the lead Doctor, the Nutritionist and the Psychologist. This year heading to Commonwealth games two teams are already off the block, netball had their qualifiers last year in Namibia and South Africa and Cricket is currently in Malaysia for qualifiers.” He added.

The declaration was presented to the Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed signed by NOC-K president Dr. Paul Tergat, KNPC President Agnes Oluoch, Ms Miriam Opondo, President Deaf Basketball and Mr. Charles Nyaberi Treasurer, Kenya National Sports Council on behalf of sports organization.

The representatives also pledged in the declaration to meet after 100 days to have discussion on the progress of the above.