Viola Cheptoo Lagat is an outstanding athlete and an inspirational figure who has stood up against gender-based violence (GBV) and advocated for women’s empowerment.
She is an athlete from Kenya whose athletic achievements are numerous, however, her stand against GBV and women’s empowerment is what makes her a unique and admirable sports personality.
Viola Lagat is determined to confront the culture of violence against women in Kenya, in memory of her late friend and world record-holder, Agnes Tirop.
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“It is something I’ve had an issue with from the beginning, from growing up. I saw my own relatives going through this issue and I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to go back to my community and work on ways to end gender-based violence,” she says in an interview with CGTN concerning GBV.
“Ending GBV is something that I’m really, really passionate about. When my friend Agnes Tirop died my friends and myself decided that, you know, enough is enough, it’s time for us to step up and take action on ending gender-based violence, and that’s where Tirop’s Angels started,
“We try to empower them and also talk to them about gender-based violence on, uh, shallow level because they don’t understand it quite well until they’re a little bit older. So we still want to make sure that they understand what it is and to support those signs early enough. That way they do not fall, victim.
Early Life and Athletic Career
Viola Lagat was born in 1984 in Kenya. She grew up in a family that valued education and sports. Her father was an athletics coach, and her mother was a teacher. Viola was the youngest of four siblings, and her elder siblings were also athletes.
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Viola started her athletic career at an early age, and she won her first race at the age of six. She showed remarkable talent and dedication, and her hard work paid off when she won her first international race at the age of 17. She went on to win several national and international races, and she represented Kenya in various international competitions.
Viola’s Achievements in Athletics
Viola Lagat has achieved several milestones in her athletic career. She won a gold medal in the 1500m race at the 2007 All-Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria. She also won a bronze medal in the same event at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany. Viola also won several medals at the African Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
Viola’s Stand Against GBV
Viola Lagat is not only an outstanding athlete, but she is also an advocate for women’s empowerment and ending GBV. She has used her platform as an athlete to create awareness about these issues and to empower women to speak out against GBV.
Viola believes that GBV is a serious issue that needs to be addressed urgently. She has spoken out against GBV and has encouraged women to speak out against it. She has also worked with several organizations that aim to end GBV and support victims of GBV.
Women Empowerment Initiatives
Viola Lagat is a firm believer in women’s empowerment, and she has taken several initiatives to empower women. She has established a foundation that aims to empower women through education and sports. The foundation provides scholarships to girls who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and it also provides training and support to women athletes.
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Viola also runs a mentorship program that aims to inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams. She believes that mentorship is essential for women’s empowerment and that women should support and encourage each other to achieve their goals.
Viola Lagat is an exceptional athlete and an inspiring advocate for women’s empowerment and for ending GBV. She has achieved several milestones in her athletic career and has used her platform to create awareness about important social issues.
Viola’s initiatives to empower women through education and sports are commendable, and her mentorship program is an excellent example of how women can support and encourage each other.
Viola Lagat is a role model for young girls and women around the world, and her stand against GBV and women’s empowerment is an inspiration for everyone. We hope that her example will inspire more women to speak out against GBV and to work towards creating a more
