by Christina Charie '25 on October 16, 2024
Opinion Editor

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Opinion

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Why Femicide is Appearing in Your Feed Now

In the past month, Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei died after her partner set her on fire in their home in Kenya. Unfortunately, Cheptegei’s death is not a unique occurrence in Kenya. She is one of at least 500 such incidents that have occurred since 2016 in Kenya, according to the United Nations. With recent high-profile cases of femicide and violence against women, there is new motivation to examine the context in which these situations have developed. 

Americans should be asking why we are only hearing about the systematic nature of these issues now. Certainly, Cheptegei’s status as an Olympic athlete contributes to international interest in her well-being, but the lack of media attention surrounding the systematic femicide occurring in Kenya reflects our “America First” mindset. 

I am sure everyone expected a writer versus a writer about the recent Presidential Debate in The Cowl. Surely, it has occupied most of my Instagram feed, from serious analysis of key issues to parody song remixes. Instead, I challenge us to consider that our occupation with domestic politics often sidelines international concerns. This is not meant to devalue the importance of domestic policies and elections. However, Americans often use rhetoric that suggests using time, tax dollars, and resources to help the women of another country is wasteful. Even if one does not claim to ascribe to the “America First” ideological leanings, not caring about the femicide in Kenya contributes to the lack of international awareness prevalent throughout American media. 

Cheptegei’s tragic death has not been getting the media attention it deserves because Americans are preoccupied with debates and elections. Candidates often suggest that it is time to address real issues that affect people globally. Cheptegei’s fate reflects a growing problem across the globe that should be addressed. Ignoring the situation because it occurred in a country that is not of primary importance to the U.S. further emphasizes an imperialist mindset, one that puts its own culture above all others globally. Giving the situation the time and attention it deserves does not mean the government initiates military involvement. But it’s time for us to acknowledge the situation and how greater public awareness can force unwilling actors to develop solutions. 

Even though Cheptegei’s death may seem far detached from American life, these attitudes have historically allowed the disregard for human life to rise among our cultural frameworks.