There is a risk among our sportswomen all over the world. The women who are becoming heroes in the sports industry face a lot while representing their country as they try to be patriotic as well as earn a living in various sports disciplines.
The few women who have decided to explore the world of sports are now at risk of sexual exploitation.
Recently, Jenni Hermoso’s image was tainted during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia. The Spanish footballer was captured being kissed by the Spanish football president Luis Rubiales in what has become a huge saga for the women’s national team.
That caption was received with a lot of negative emotion and there were even protests for the football president to resign. The president refused to resign and with the pressure continuing to rise he ended up resigning. Other technical bench officials also resigned apart from the head coach, Jorge Vilda who had to be sacked after he refused to resign alongside his technical bench.
39 players have boycotted the national team call-up for Spain in solidarity with Jenni Hermoso. 15 out of the 39 were in the squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Another prob is rising in Tanzania as Peris Osinde, a Kenyan female footballer was allegedly impregnated by an official at Fountain Gate Princess Football Club, a club where she was plying her trade. The alleged official has been suspended by the Tanzanian club for further investigation to take place according to the club’s statement.
Peris Osinde had signed a two-year contract with the Tanzanian club in 2022 after partying ways with her former club Nakuru Queens from Kenya. Her contract was terminated by mutual consent in May 2023 by her club. More is yet to be known as the investigation is still ongoing.
Last season, Trans Nzoia Falcons was also at the center of sexual harassment. Players claimed that they were being sexually harassed by the club officials which led to a massive walk away of players from the club. one of the players was allegedly impregnated by an official. The officials however declined the accusation saying that the players were impregnated by outsiders.
The federation had to stop a number of matches involving the club for investigation and restructuring to take place. Trans Nzoia County governor George Natembeya had to come out to rescue the players before they resumed the league. The incident affected the performance of the club which fought for relegation and were lucky to retain their spot in the Kenya Women’s Premier League.
A young female athlete gave an ordeal when she confessed to having been sexually harassed for more than two years while in camp by her coach in Nandi county, Kenya. This was discovered by a female official of the Kenya Athletics Board at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani while they were in camp. The coaches had complained about her concentration as they were preparing for a junior world championship competition. The female official had to talk to the young athlete and she discovered the heinous act.
Most of these acts are done to young sportswomen who see the opportunity as a breakthrough towards exploring their talents in the lucrative sports discipline. Some remain silent for fear that if they speak out they might be kicked out of the team camp and may end up wasting their talents.
It is high time we respect the women in whatever discipline they are undertaking. Being in sports as a woman is the hardest thing and the few that have decided to follow that path should be respected.
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