Former Commonwealth champion Lucy Kabuu has told famale athletes to be wary of the men they fall in love with to avoid exploitation and cases of Gender-Based Violence.
Athletes living and training in Ngong, Kajiado have called for wide-ranging reforms to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) and financial exploitation of athletes.
The athletes said the two issues are connected, noting the importance of speaking out and working together with other stakeholders to end them. The 2006 Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion Lucy Kabuu urged upcoming runners to raise their voices against GBV regardless of what the society thinks of them.
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“I have been quiet for a very long time but today I have stood here to say no to GBV. If you are going through the same, I want to encourage you not to be afraid to speak up, regardless of what other people think," Kabuu told Athletics Kenya AK.
"Many athletes are afraid to open up because of what people will think of them,” she reiterated. Giving her experience as evidence, Kabuu called on athletes to make prudent financial decisions. “My message to upcoming athletes, when you start running and making money, be careful not to fall into the trap of unscrupulous coaches and managers."
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"You should buy properties in your name and not in any other person’s name. Get a financial adviser to help you invest wisely. Learn from me and what I am going through; do not wait to learn from another person,” Kabuu said.
The 2013 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon has been embroiled in a property dispute with her ex-husband, with the latter laying claim to the Ksh 70 million estate. Kabuu called on AK to provide athletes who are in a similar situation with legal assistance. "There are others who are suffering and cannot access legal means of assistance. AK should assist these ones and work with coaches at the grassroot to identify these victims,” she said.
Kabuu was speaking at the Kajiado Disability and Empowerment Centre in Ngong during an engagement forum on GBV and financial literacy with athletes in the region. The forum is organised by Equity Bank, National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and AK.
The 1997 World 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio warned young athletes not to be quick to get into relationships that expose them to financial exploitation and GBV. “Run wisely and be self-driven. Every one of us knows where they have come from in their families and it is very important to be mindful of that. Don’t use your money carelessly and don’t be quick to get into relationships with people who are only after your money. These are the issues that lead to GBV,” Barsosio said.