Deborah Monari is a nurse, advocate for medical and social justice , and youth leader from Nairobi, Kenya. She has spearheaded impactful campaigns addressing gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health rights, and systemic inequities. In addition, she founded the Fosterhance Health and Rights Initiative, to enhance reproductive health and rights in low income areas and informal settlements. These efforts underscore her commitment to advancing healthcare, women’s empowerment, and policy change for a just society.
Deborah was misdiagnosed with a brain tumor. She underwent brain surgery in India sometime back. Instead of becoming bitter to the responsible healthcare services providers, Deborah decided to turn this experience into a positive direction by studying to become a nurse. She is currently one of the best nurses at Kenyatta National Hospitals in Nairobi Kenya. Deborah has played a crucial role by providing healthcare advice in our OBV Campaign making it a very credible project.
In 2023, she advocated for the establishment of patients’ rights committees in Kenyan healthcare institutions, meeting with Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, who publicly committed to advancing these rights. That same year, she successfully led a petition against the Nairobi Finance Bill, ensuring family planning services remained free in level-three hospitals and below while reducing post-abortion care costs by 83%.
Deborah has successfully rallied public support to revise policies that would have imposed prohibitive costs on contraceptives, showcasing her ability to effect policy change through grassroots mobilisation. In 2024, collaborating with a member of Parliament , Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba, she championed maternal health rights and led a 27-county survey on obstetrics violence. The findings were instrumental in developing a maternal child health policy, recognized by the Kenya Parliamentary Women Association, and she presented the report during the launch of Kenya’s Obstetrics Violence Report Center.
In 2024, during Finance Bill debates, she led Nguvu change leaders in drafting letters to Members of Parliament, urging them to reject provisions burdening Kenyans. She also participated in the 2024 Dark Valentine’s Day event, raising awareness of femicide and women’s safety in Kenya. She is a fellow of the Nguvu Collective program and a passionate advocate for youth leadership and global governance.
With a vision for a more equitable world, Deborah continues to champion the intersection of healthcare, human rights, and youth empowerment, inspiring communities to claim power through unity and collaboration.
