In late July and early August 2024, Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei competed in the Paris Olympics, coming in 44th place in the women's marathon. Less than one month later, Cheptegei was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in Kenya, where she lived. He poured gasoline over her head and lit her on fire. Cheptegei passed away four days later, having suffered serious burns over 80% of her body. This represents a tragic example of the pervasive violence against women in Uganda and Kenya.
Violent crime often makes it difficult for countries to progress politically, socially, and economically. The UN Women Programme found that 95% of Ugandan women experienced sexual or physical violence past age 15. This troubling statistic reflects the broader issues of femicide and the urgent need for societal change.
Some countries experience high rates of violence because of poverty, political instability, organized crime, war, or weak law enforcement that fails to adequately protect citizens. For example, recent protests in Kenya over tax increases resulted in the deaths of over two dozen protestors. This illustrates how violent climates can stem from governmental and social unrest.
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