Marking International Women's Day 2025: Merck Foundation's 13-Year Commitment to Empowering Women, particularly Infertile Women and supporting Girls Education
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with First Ladies of Africa who are also their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication&Gender, mark 'International Women's Day 2025', through their impactful development programs, continuing their 13-year legacy of empowering women and girls.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the Most Influential African Women for Six Consecutive Years (2019 - 2024) expressed, 'Happy International Women's Day to all the remarkable women and girls around the world!
Empowering girls and women is at the core of all our initiatives and programs at Merck Foundation. I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realize their capabilities, especially in underserved communities.
Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women's Day every day since the last 13 years through our development programs and initiatives such as ' More Than a Mother', 'Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement', 'Educating Linda', and 'STEM Program'."
"Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset.
'I am thrilled to share that out of the 2,250 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1048 scholarships, that is nearly 50% have been granted to female medical graduates, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders.
I am especially proud that we have awarded over 701 scholarships to young doctors, dedicated to advancing women's health by strengthening reproductive, sexual health, and fertility care capacity.'
Merck Foundation CEO strongly believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment.
'I am happy to share that through our 'Educating Linda' Program, together with my dear sisters, our Ambassadors, we are supporting the education by providing over 950 scholarships for high performance and underprivileged African schoolgirls, empowering them to complete their studies and reach their full potential and also providing essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Verde and more.
Moreover, we have benefitted thousands of girls through our awareness campaign through many initiates like the release of inspiring songs, children's storybooks, animation films, TV Program and awards for best media, song, film&fashion designs, all aimed at promoting girl education today for women's empowerment tomorrow', emphasized Senator Rasha Kelej.
Merck Foundation also actively empowers women in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards that recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence.
'Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM,' emphasized Dr. Kelej.
Watch the Episodes of 'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV program on Supporting Girl Education:
Episode 2: https://apo-opa.co/42MB6e1
Episode 11: https://apo-opa.co/4jBHdYo
Episode 14: https://apo-opa.co/4iSmRsK
Listen to Merck Foundation song about Supporting Girl Education here:
Watch, share&subscribe to the 'Girl Can' song here, sung by two famous singers, Irene and Cwezi from Liberia and Ghana respectively: https://apo-opa.co/3ENJuAJ
Watch, share&subscribe the ' Like Them ' song here, sung by Kenneth, a famous singer from Uganda: https://apo-opa.co/3EVrkNq
Watch, share&subscribe ' Take me to School ' song here, sung by Wezi, Afro-soul singer from Zambia, to support girls' education: https://apo-opa.co/3GIzauh
Watch share&subscribe ' Tu Podes Sim ' Portuguese song, which means ' Yes, You Can ' in English by Blaze and Tamyris Moiane, singers from Mozambique in English here: https://apo-opa.co/4k5R9cD
Watch the Merck Foundation Animation Films to Support Girl Education :
Ride into to Future: https://apo-opa.co/4iZr3ao
Jackeline's Rescue: https://apo-opa.co/4k4T9Sb
Read the Merck Foundation storybook addressing the importance of Girl Education:
To read Educating Linda Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/4d7tcPZ
To read Jackline's Rescue Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/4iHZe61
To read Ride into the Future Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/3SkYVTU
To read Not Who You Are Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/4m2GRvD
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.
Contact details:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613 / +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com
Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4k52NEy
X: https://apo-opa.co/44r9tbw
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/430QSAR
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3F0vKm4
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/3Z6dApQ
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/44VMBB1
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3RRy69R
About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare&scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4k52NEy), X (https://apo-opa.co/44r9tbw), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3F0vKm4), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/430QSAR), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/3Z6dApQ) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/44VMBB1).
The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Zawya
Counting days to recovery, Yusuf opens up about his painful journey with mpox
When Yusuf Sesay first noticed a strange itch around his genital area, mpox wasn't the first thing that came to mind. He figured it might just be a mild infection, something a quick pharmacy run could fix. But within a few days, the discomfort spiralled into something harder to ignore: fever, pounding headaches, and the kind of fatigue that made getting out of bed quite difficult. Yet, he kept self-medicating, hoping it would go away. 'I was embarrassed,' he says quietly. 'I didn't think it was serious at first. Then I became scared.' Yusuf is one of over 3,600 people in Sierra Leone who have tested positive for mpox since the start of 2025. But numbers alone don't capture what it's like to live through it. The physical pain, the emotional toll, the fear of being judged. Sitting on a hospital chair in one of Freetown's mpox treatment centres, he's ready to share his story. 'It started with itching. Down there,' he says, not making eye contact at first. 'I thought it was just a regular infection. Something I could treat with meds from the pharmacy. But the symptoms didn't stop. The itching got worse.' 'I was scared,' he says, 'and ashamed. I told the woman I slept with that she had given me something. She said it wasn't from her. I didn't know what to believe. So I just kept quiet and and tried to fix it myself.' By the time he arrived at the treatment centre, he was exhausted, physically, mentally, emotionally. The sores had worsened. He knew he needed help. 'I feel a lot better now,' he says. 'The treatment is working. The health workers have been amazing. They respect and care for us. They don't judge.' There are four mpox treatment centres in Freetown. The centre where Yusuf is recovering is one of them and like the others, it is receiving support from the World Health Organization, which has been working closely with the government of Sierra Leone since the outbreak began. 'In close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners, we are working to break the chain of transmission and safeguard lives.' – Dr George Ameh, WHO Country Representative. WHO is helping to strengthen the mpox response, from delivering medical supplies and equipment to providing technical guidance and supporting community engagement. 'We are gratful to the health workers, who are taking good care of us.' He speaks calmly, openly. No hesitation. He knows people outside still doubt that mpox is real. Some think it's a hoax. While others believe it only affects a certain class of people. 'Let me tell you something,' Yusuf says, his voice a little firmer now. 'Mpox is real. I've lived it. I am still living it. If you notice any signs, don't wait. Don't be like me. Go to the hospital early. It makes a huge difference.' Since January, Sierra Leone has reported more than 3,600 confirmed cases of mpox. And behind each number is someone like Yusuf, with a similar story. 'Stay safe. Wash your hands. Protect yourself. Don't be careless. What I am going through now… I could have avoided it if I had gone to the hospital earlier.' During WHO's recent visit to the centre, Yusuf didn't hesitate to speak to the team, where he shared his story, answered questions and assured the team he's ready to help raise awareness, so others don't go through the same thing. 'I want to help. Even if it's just talking to people. If hearing my story helps one person stay safe, then it's worth it.' In a time when stigma and misinformation can keep people from seeking care or speaking up, Yusuf's honesty is refreshing and will save lives. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization - Sierra Leone.
Zawya
21 hours ago
- Zawya
Digital health solutions for non-communicable disease care in Zimbabwe
Sharing data in real time to make critical health care decisions Connecting rural and remote communities to Zimbabwe 's primary health system used to include delays of up to one month and loads of paperwork. Now, with the support of UNICEF and partners, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has equipped Village Health Workers with data-driven tools to make timely and lifesaving health care decisions. Digital health solutions like the use of a smartphone to transmit patient data in real time have empowered these workers to improve outcomes for children living with non-communicable diseases. Village Health Workers, trained volunteers who provide essential health and nutrition services to families and children, often work in remote areas that have limited access to health facilities. In the past, they recorded patient notes during their rounds that were then shared with the public health system, often long after the visit. 'We used to compile reports in a book which we would submit at the clinic at the end of the month. Now it is smoother and faster. Cellphones have been a game-changer,' says 52-year-old Margaret Denhera, a Village Health Worker in Luwana, Zimbabwe. Village Health Workers in Zimbabwe receive regular training on the digital medical equipment and devices they use on their rounds. © UNICEF 'I move around the village collecting information on non-communicable diseases. At the end of the day, I punch it into my phone,' says Denhera. She sends the data to the nearest health facility about 10 miles away. As the front line in Zimbabwe's public health system, Village Health Workers are often the first to identify non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, chronic respiratory illness, cancer and diabetes. These diseases disproportionately affect people in developing countries, leading to the death of nearly 1 million people under age 20 each year worldwide. In Zimbabwe, NCDs are on the rise. Non-communicable diseases: A growing burden on Zimbabwe's health system Many, but by no means all, NCDs are preventable and treatable with early intervention and education on risk factors like excessive alcohol, inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use. Left undetected and untreated, NCDs can rapidly become life-threatening. Village Health Workers educate families on these risky behaviors and are trained to detect and test for NCDs on their rounds. The prompt reporting of a patient's symptoms to the nearest health facility can save a child's life. 'Village health workers are our foot soldiers,' says Yemurai Chamburuka, a primary care nurse at Patchway Clinic. 'When they see patients with abnormalities, they can easily call us or send the data by phone. It is to our advantage because we have the information as early as possible rather than waiting until the end of the month,' she says. 'If, during my checkup rounds, I test someone and observe, say, abnormal blood glucose levels, which is a sign of some non-communicable diseases, I refer the person to the clinic and send their test results ahead,' Denhera explains. Clinic nurses can review the real-time data and develop an action plan before the patient even reaches the facility. Video: Digitizing health systems in Zimbabwe Because they come to know their clients and their environment so well, Village Health Workers often identify trends or potential disease outbreaks in their recordkeeping. The data they capture in real time is analyzed so that public health officials and policymakers can respond swiftly and efficiently. Dr. Robert Gongora, a digital health specialist who has led implementation of the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Electronic Health Records (EHR) system since 2017, commends the seamless flow of patient information. 'With more and more connectivity, we begin to learn immediately what's happening in that area because the moment we receive the information, we plan for that client ahead of arrival,' he says. Dr. Justice Mudavanhu, National Coordinator for Non-Communicable Diseases in the MoHCC, says the Ministry's head office uses VHW-submitted data to map the country's response to the growing incidence of childhood NCDs. 'In the program, we have technical experts who apply evidence-based interventions that help us to develop guidelines, standard operating procedures, algorithms and strategies for chronic diseases in children,' he said during a recent tour of rural Zimbabwe. Digital tools help identify and map disease incidence for better intervention 'There are systems at community level, at health facility level, and, as you go up, there are non-location-specific systems that enable data visualization. When we know what we are facing, we can target and measure our interventions better,' Dr. Mudavanhu adds. 'It's better not to shoot in the dark, especially where resource allocation is concerned.' We call them 'Digital Health Workers.' — Dr. Robert Gongora, Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care Equitable access to health care requires decision-making based on accurate and timely data. Authorities see vital interlinkages between the MoHCC digitization program and UNICEF's support for capacity building of the public health system. UNICEF, with the support of partners, is helping the MoHCC revolutionize community-based primary health care to strengthen NCD diagnosis, prevention and treatment within primary health care and referral facilities. Dr. Gongora suggests the title 'Village Health Worker' is outdated. Instead, he says, they should be called 'Digital Health Workers.' This vital work is made possible by a donation from Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) to UNICEF USA. UNICEF is strengthening health systems and preventing, detecting and treating NCDs for children and adolescents in Bangladesh, Malawi, Nepal, India, the Philippines and Zimbabwe. © Copyright The Zimbabwean. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
A Call to Action to End Cholera in Africa by 2030
On 4 June 2025, twenty African Union Member States most affected by cholera convened for an extraordinary high-level meeting, following a call by Africa CDC and under the leadership of H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema, AU Champion on Cholera. This historic gathering of Heads of State and Government marked a turning point in the fight against cholera across the continent. Leaders endorsed a unified Call-to-Action to eliminate cholera in Africa by 2030—anchored in national ownership, local vaccine production, integrated WASH systems, and coordinated continental response. Africa CDC is committed to supporting Member States and partners to turn this political resolve into measurable action, securing Africa's health sovereignty and ending cholera once and for all. Download the Call-to-Action here. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
