Faith Kipyegon’s win shows what equal investment in girls can do.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon celebrates after winning the World Athletics Championships women’s 1,500m final at Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, on September 16, 2025. Photo credit: Photo | Reuters
What you need to know:
Faith Kipyegon’s historic victories inspire millions and expose systemic barriers facing women in sports, politics and leadership.
Her story demonstrates the power of resilience but underscores the urgent need for equal investment in girls’ education, opportunities and support.
It was a proud moment for Kenyans when multiple Olympic and world 1,500 metres champion Faith Kipyegon set a new record by becoming the first woman to win three 1,500 metres Olympic titles.
From running barefoot to conquering the world’s biggest stages, her courage, passion and determination have undoubtedly given hope to millions of young girls, showing them that anything is possible.
Her resilience is testament to what can happen when girls are allowed to dream and are given an environment in which to nurture those dreams into reality.
We, Kenyans, can all share in the glory she has brought us, but it is unfortunate that women still have to work twice as hard to achieve greatness.
While Faith’s story is inspiring, it also highlights the painful truth that for every woman who breaks through, countless others are denied the opportunity to do the same.
Structural inequalities, cultural stereotypes and systemic barriers continue to undermine women’s empowerment in Kenya and beyond.
Related
From an early age, many girls are confined to rigid gender roles that limit their potential.
While a boy who excels in sports is quickly celebrated and invested in, a girl with the same talent may be told to focus on “more appropriate” pursuits.
Even in education, statistics consistently show higher dropout rates for girls due to early marriages, teenage pregnancies and poverty-driven family decisions.
Faith’s triumph is, therefore, not just an individual victory but also a reminder of the benefits of equal investment in girls and women to society.
Her gold medals represent more than athletic excellence; they are a call to action to dismantle the barriers that still hold so many back.
For instance, women remain underrepresented in politics, despite the constitutional two-thirds gender rule.
Many female candidates face harassment, intimidation and cultural resistance.
In the corporate sector, women in leadership positions remain in the minority and are often forced to work harder to prove their worth in male-dominated spaces.
The same is true of sports. Female athletes often receive less sponsorship, coverage and opportunities than their male counterparts.
For every Faith, there are dozens of talented girls whose potential is stifled by a lack of resources and support.
Empowering women must be treated as a national priority, not a token agenda.
When girls are educated and supported, entire communities flourish.
Kenya has made progress – laws exist to protect women’s rights, and programmes supporting girls’ education are growing.
Yet, the gap between policy and practice remains wide.
All too often, empowerment is reduced to slogans rather than sustained action.
While Faith’s record-breaking moment will undoubtedly inspire future generations, inspiration alone is not enough.
We all have a role to play in creating a society where girls do not need to demonstrate extraordinary resilience just to succeed: policymakers, communities, parents and peers.
Empowerment should not be about fighting twice as hard; it should be about ensuring that the path is fair for everyone.
If Kenya could produce a Faith, despite systemic inequality, imagine what we could achieve if we gave every girl the wind at her back.
Her victory is not just hers – it reflects our nation’s potential and the work still to be done.
In honouring Faith, we must not only cheer her on but also commit to building a Kenya in which every girl can dream, run and win.
