Breaking the Silence: Confronting Gender-Based Violence in Sport

By Bernadette Deka Zulu
Founder-Shaping Futures Zambia

There comes a time when silence is no longer an option. A time when we must hold ourselves, our institutions, and our communities accountable. That time is now. And the topic is violence around female athletes.

Sport has always been a powerful force—one that unites people, fuels ambition, and evidently as we’ve seen in recent years among our youths, sport creates opportunities. It is a stage where young athletes dare to dream and their dreams have become reality for most of them, and from that we’ve witnessed champions being made and legacies being built. But beneath the glitz of medals, trophies, and roaring crowds, a darker reality persists—one that has been swept under the rug for too long. Gender-based violence (GBV) in sport is a silent epidemic, preying on the vulnerable, destroying dreams, and silencing voices that deserve to be heard.

This is not a distant issue, nor is it someone else’s problem. It is happening here, in our communities, on our fields, and within our institutions. Just recently, a chilling case in Chongwe, right here in Zambia, exposed how a so-called witch doctor lured young female footballers with promises of success—only to exploit them sexually. Their only dream was to play football, yet they found themselves trapped in a nightmare; among other disturbing stories.

How many more stories like this must we hear before we act? How many more young girls must suffer before we say, “Enough”?

I refuse to be silent.

The Cost of Silence

As a woman, a leader, and a staunch advocate for gender equality, I have heard the stories firsthand. Young girls who once sprinted onto the pitch with determination, now hesitant, their confidence shattered by those they trusted most. Women in sports administration belittled, harassed, and sidelined simply for daring to exist in a male-dominated space. Promising careers cut short—not because of talent, but because speaking out came at too high a price.

Silence has been the greatest enabler of this abuse. The fear of losing scholarships, sponsorships, or a spot on the team has kept too many victims quiet. Institutions, in their pursuit of maintaining reputations, have often chosen to look the other way. But silence is not neutrality—it is complicity.

It is time to change the narrative.

On March 18, 2024, in New York, we will no longer just talk about GBV in sport—we will act. At the GRZ-RKF-UN Gender-Based Violence in Sport Side Event at CSW69, which I have the honor of chairing, we will bring together survivors, policymakers, athletes, and advocates from around the world to dismantle the systems that have allowed abuse to persist.

This is not just another panel discussion. It is a call to arms.

Sport Should Be a Safe Space, Not a Battleground

Sport has the power to transform lives. It teaches discipline, builds character, and fosters unity. But for too many, it has become a battleground where power imbalances fuel exploitation and abuse.

How can we encourage young girls to pursue their dreams when those dreams come at the cost of their dignity? How can we celebrate victories on the field when behind closed doors, women and girls are fighting battles of survival?

This contradiction must end.

We must work towards a future where sport is a safe space—where no athlete has to trade their body for an opportunity, where no woman is forced to tolerate harassment just to stay in the game, and where no survivor is silenced out of fear.

Breaking the Culture of Silence

One of the biggest challenges in addressing GBV in sport is the entrenched culture of silence. Many victims remain voiceless due to shame, fear of retaliation, or lack of support. We have seen institutions prioritize their reputation over justice, allowing perpetrators to continue operating within the system. This cannot continue.

At our CSW69 side event, we will do what should have been done a long time ago—listen. We will listen to survivors, not as victims, but as leaders who are shaping the future of sport. We will challenge institutions that have failed to act. And most importantly, we will demand accountability.

Policies mean nothing without enforcement. Commitments are empty without action.

A Collective Responsibility

The fight against GBV in sport cannot be won by one person, one organization, or one government alone. It requires a collective commitment.

This is why the the Racheal Kundananji Legacy Foundation (RKF) alongside UN Women and the UNAIDS have joined forces to foster this crucial dialogue at CSW69. But our efforts cannot stop here. This must be the beginning of a larger, global movement to protect athletes and create a culture where speaking up is met with support, not stigma.

Real change requires:
•Stronger policies that prioritize athlete safety over institutional reputation.
•Education and awareness to dismantle harmful norms and encourage victims to come forward.

•Support systems that provide safe spaces for survivors to heal and rebuild.
•Holding perpetrators accountable—because impunity has no place in sport.

Every coach, every administrator, every government official, and every parent has a role to play in ensuring that sport remains a source of empowerment, not exploitation.

A Moment That Must Spark a Movement

I believe in the power of sport. I believe in its ability to inspire, to unite, and to drive change. But I refuse to accept that it must come at the expense of women’s safety and dignity.

On March 18, we are taking a stand. We are opening the doors for dialogue, but more importantly, we are setting the wheels of action in motion. This is not just an event—it is the beginning of a movement.

I call upon every policymaker, athlete, coach, journalist, and activist to join us in New York or follow the conversation online. Share your stories. Hold institutions accountable. Demand change.

Because together, we are stronger.

This is not just about sport. This is about justice. This is about dignity. This is about the right of every girl and woman to step onto a field, a court, or a track without fear.

The game is far from over. But this time, we play to win.

Let’s interact more on the topic through : bernadettedekazulu@gmail.con