By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (December 1^st 2025)

The issue of gender-based exploitation (GBE) and gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenyan athletics is a big problem, but its victims and survivors are fighting back. Romania’s Kenyan-born long-distance runner, Joan Chelimo Mello is leading the struggle. She set up Tirop’s Angels to commemorate her murdered friend, seek justice for her and be an advocate to eliminate GBE and GBV.

No Secret

Tirop’s Angels provide assistance for aspiring athletes through access to facilities and combat the issues the exploited athletes face. The two athletes featured below have been assisted by her, but there is still a long way to travel before talented young women can utilise their athletic talent as they deserve to.

Joan Chelimo Melli’s fight for others while balancing the demands of competitive athletics is inspirational. It played a huge role in the Veteran Athletes Association (VAA) taking up cudgels against both GBE and GBV. It is now one of the VAA’s core projects for the next year.

Kenyan Athletics Survivor 1

Kenyan Athletics Survivor 2