SHARON SERETI NABAALA
Sharon Sereti Nabaala is the Executive Director of Matasaru Ntoyie Foundation, a mentor, and a survivor advocate committed to protecting the rights of women and girls. She believes that lasting change begins within communities and that every girl deserves the chance to grow up safe, educated, and free to make her own choices. Inspired by her own journey, Sharon has dedicated her life to creating safer and more equitable futures through education, research, advocacy, and community empowerment.
Born and raised in Lemek Village near the Maasai Mara in Narok County, Sharon grew up in a community where traditions shape many aspects of daily life. As a young girl, she survived Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), an experience that changed her life forever. Instead of allowing that experience to define her, she chose to transform her pain into purpose. Determined that other girls should not go through what she experienced, she founded Matasaru Ntoyie Foundation to mentor, educate, and empower young Maasai girls.
Today, Sharon works mainly with girls and young mothers, addressing issues of FGM, child marriage, gender-based violence, girls’ education, and women’s empowerment. Through advocacy, community dialogues, mentorship, and research, she works closely with families and community members to challenge harmful practices while promoting education and equal opportunities for girls.
Her leadership is rooted in service, courage, and collaboration. One of the initiatives she is most proud of is the annual Mara Girls Summit, which brings together more than 100 girls every year for mentorship, inspiration, and open conversations about FGM, child marriage, education, and leadership. Through her foundation, she has also rescued girls at risk, connected them to scholarships, and ensured they receive the support they need to remain in school and pursue their dreams.
Over the years, Sharon has reached more than 5,000 girls through her community work. She has successfully carried out three rescue interventions, and one of the first girls her foundation rescued is now preparing to complete Form Four next year through a scholarship provided by the organisation. Seeing that young girl stay in school and approach adulthood with hope instead of fear is one of the moments that continues to inspire Sharon’s work.
Like many grassroots advocates, Sharon has faced significant challenges. Listening to the stories of survivors of violence, FGM, and child marriage takes an emotional toll, and balancing compassion with the strength to keep advocating has not always been easy. Financial constraints have also limited the reach of her work. At times, she has experienced rejection from members of her own community because, having undergone FGM herself, some believe she should support the practice instead of speaking against it. Even so, she continues to stand firm because she believes every girl deserves a different future.
What makes Sharon’s approach unique is the way she connects girls’ education with gender equality and women’s empowerment. She believes that when girls stay in school, they gain the confidence, knowledge, and opportunities to make informed decisions about their lives. Through dialogue and trust building, she works with communities to create change from within rather than imposing it from outside.
Compassion, integrity, and honesty are the values that guide her work. To Sharon, sisterhood means “sisters with one vision.” She believes women become stronger when they learn from one another, support each other, and work together towards a common purpose. Through the Sister to Sister Initiative, she has found inspiration from other women leaders and continues to learn valuable lessons on building and strengthening her own organisation.
Speaking about her community, Sharon acknowledges that many people still believe a girl must undergo FGM before she can be recognised as a woman. However, she believes this mindset is changing as more families begin to value education and recognise that girls deserve to make their own choices.
Looking ahead, Sharon dreams of a future where every girl’s voice is heard and respected. One of her greatest ambitions is to establish a safe house in her village where girls and women escaping violence and harmful practices can find protection, healing, and hope as they rebuild their lives.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The African Women’s Rights Advocates (AWRA) is a dynamic, survivor-led movement founded by African women across the continent and in the diaspora.
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