Latest news with #RashaKelej
Zawya
17 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
Merck Foundation Health Media Training provided for African Media to raise awareness about Breaking Infertility Stigma and Supporting Girl Education during the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative
Merck Foundation ( the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit 2025, in presence of Merck Foundation CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej and African&Asian First Ladies, who are the Ambassadors of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother'. During the Summit, Merck Foundation Health Media Training session was also conducted on Day 2, for African journalists, to emphasize on the important role the media plays to influence our society to create a cultural shift with the aim to Break Infertility Stigma, Support Girl Education, Stop Gender Based Violence, End Child Marriage, End FGM, and Empower Women at all levels. Moreover, to raise awareness about early detection&prevention of Diabetes&Hypertension. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, Chairperson of MFFLI Summit, and President of 'More Than a Mother' campaign, emphasized, 'I strongly believe that media has the power to shape mindsets and create a culture shift. Journalists can drive real change through their daily reporting by raising awareness about critical social and health issues—such as breaking the stigma of infertility, promoting girls' education, ending child marriage, stopping gender-based violence, and encouraging early detection and prevention of diabetes and hypertension.' Watch the Merck Foundation Health Media Training session here: The Merck Foundation Health Media Training is a part of 'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Community Awareness Program. Since 2017, Merck Foundation has provided their Health Media Training for more than 3,700 media representatives from 35 countries in Africa. During the 7 th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit, two important occasions were marked; the 8 th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of Merck Foundation's development programs that started in 2012. On the Day 1, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit took place, featuring a high-level panel discussion with the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia. Moreover, a high-level panel discussion was held with African Ministers and top healthcare experts from across the globe. Link to Live Stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025: During the Day 2 of the conference, two Medical and Scientific Sessions on Oncology and Diabetes&Hypertension also took place. During the 7th Edition of MFFLI Summit, the Call for Applications for 8 annual Merck Foundation Awards in partnership with African and Asian First Ladies were announced for best Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and emerging talents. 'I strongly believe that these awards encourage creative storytelling to raise awareness about critical social and health issues. Since 2017, we have been launching these awards together with my esteemed sisters, the African and Asian First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Campaign. I am looking forward to all the entries from young talents for these important awards,' Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej added. Details of the Awards: Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: Media representatives and students are invited to showcase work raising awareness about Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025. Merck Foundation Film Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: African filmmakers, film students, and young talents are invited to create long or short films (drama, documentary, or docudrama) addressing Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: African fashion students and designers are invited to create designs delivering impactful messages on Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025. Merck Foundation Song Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: African singers and musical artists are invited to create songs addressing Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': Media representatives are invited to showcase work promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': African filmmakers, film students, and young talents are invited to create films promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': African fashion students and designers are invited to create designs promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': African singers and musical artists are invited to create songs promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025. Entries for all awards are to be submitted via email to: submit@ Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation. Contact: Mehak Handa Community Awareness Program Manager Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669 Email: Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard: Facebook: X: YouTube: Instagram: Threads: Flickr: Website: Download Merck Foundation App: 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 to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook ( X ( Instagram ( YouTube ( Threads ( and Flickr ( 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.
The Print
3 days ago
- Health
- The Print
Merck Foundation Together with African and Asian First Ladies Mark ‘World Assisted Reproductive Technology Day' 2025
Banjul [The Gambia] / Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 28: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks 'World ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Day 2025' together with African and Asian First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Campaign, by building and advancing fertility care capacity in Africa and Asia. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of 'More Than a Mother' emphasized, 'At Merck Foundation we mark World Assisted Reproductive Technology Day by building Fertility and Reproductive Care capacity and empowering infertile women by improving their access to information, change of mindset and quality & equitable fertility care across Africa & Asia as part of our 'More than a Mother' campaign. I am very proud to share that we have provided till today 716 scholarships of Embryology, Fertility and Sexual & Reproductive care to young doctors from 41 countries in Africa and Asia to be the local Embryologists, Fertility & Reproductive care experts in their countries. Moreover, many of our Alumni were trained to be the first local experts in their countries where they never had even a single local embryologist or fertility specialist before our program such as; The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo, Mozambique and more. Together with African First Ladies, and other important partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility & Reproductive care across Africa and beyond,' added Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' is a powerful campaign that defines interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility. Merck Foundation has provided 2280 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. 'To give an overview, out of our total 716 scholarships for Fertility and Reproductive care, we have provided more than 324 Scholarships for clinical and practical training to Fertility Specialists and Embryologists, and more than 392 Scholarships for PG Diploma and Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women's Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction & Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills and Family Medicine to doctors from 41 countries across Africa and Asia. We are proud of this achievement,' added Dr. Rasha Kelej. According to WHO data, more than 180 million couples in developing countries – that is 1 in every 4 couple, suffer from infertility. In many cultures in Africa, infertility is a huge stigma. Women are solely blamed for failing to conceive and the social stigma of childlessness, especially for women leads to isolation and stigmatization and results in discrimination and ostracism. This mostly also leads to divorce or physical or psychological violence. As a part of 'More Than a Mother' Campaign, Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives to break this stigma and create a culture shift. Merck Foundation has also been empowering childless and infertile women through their 'Empowering Berna' initiative under their 'More Than a Mother' movement. This initiative helps women who cannot be treated for infertility anymore by helping them get trained to establish small businesses so that they can be independent and rebuild their lives. Through 'Empowering Berna', the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi, and many more. 'It's all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child,' added Dr. Kelej. Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 3700 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women. Merck Foundation in partnership with Africa's First Ladies, has also launched 'More Than Mother' Children's storybook to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future. The storybooks have been localized for each country and in three languages, English, French and Portuguese to better connect with the young readers. The book has also been adapted to an animation film. Watch More Than a Mother Animation Film here: Merck Foundation's pan African TV program 'Our Africa', that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa, has many episodes dedicated to raise awareness about infertility and breaking infertility stigma. Watch the episodes here: Episode 3: Episode 5: Episode 10: Merck Foundation has also released about 30 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their 'More Than a Mother' campaign. Listen to some of the songs here: 1. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'Plus qu'une MERE' composed and sung by Ms. Lucky-Lou, the daughter of The President and The First Lady of Burundi: 2. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana: 3. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Zambian Soul Singer Wezi: 4. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Sunita Daffeh from the Gambia: Listen to all 'More than a Mother' songs here: 'To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, we annually launch Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' Awards in partnership with African First Ladies. I would also like to invite the African Community of Media, Fashion, Filmmaking, and Musicians, students, and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year by sharing their creative work on submit@ concluded Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! Facebook: Merck Foundation X: @MerckFoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Instagram: Merck Foundation Threads: Merck Foundation Flickr: Merck Foundation Website: (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Wire
3 days ago
- Health
- The Wire
Merck Foundation Together with African and Asian First Ladies Mark ‘World Assisted Reproductive Technology Day' 2025 Through Their ‘More Than a Mother' Campaign
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India & Banjul, The Gambia – Business Wire India • Merck Foundation has made history by training the first local Embryologists and Reproductive & Fertility Experts in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Malawi, and Congo. Moreover, supported training for the staff of First Public IVF Centers in Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Niger, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. • Merck Foundation launched 'More Than a Mother Animation Film' that raises awareness about breaking infertility stigma, infertility prevention and male infertility, watch here: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks 'World ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Day 2025' together with African and Asian First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Campaign, by building and advancing fertility care capacity in Africa and Asia. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of 'More Than a Mother' emphasized, "At Merck Foundation we mark World Assisted Reproductive Technology Day by building Fertility and Reproductive Care capacity and empowering infertile women by improving their access to information, change of mindset and quality & equitable fertility care across Africa & Asia as part of our 'More than a Mother' campaign. I am very proud to share that we have provided till today 716 scholarships of Embryology, Fertility and Sexual & Reproductive care to young doctors from 41 countries in Africa and Asia to be the local Embryologists, Fertility & Reproductive care experts in their countries. Moreover, many of our Alumni were trained to be the first local experts in their countries where they never had even a single local embryologist or fertility specialist before our program such as; The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo, Mozambique and more. Together with African First Ladies, and other important partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility & Reproductive care across Africa and beyond,' added Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' is a powerful campaign that defines interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility. Merck Foundation has provided 2280 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. 'To give an overview, out of our total 716 scholarships for Fertility and Reproductive care, we have provided more than 324 Scholarships for clinical and practical training to Fertility Specialists and Embryologists, and more than 392 Scholarships for PG Diploma and Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women's Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction & Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills and Family Medicine to doctors from 41 countries across Africa and Asia. We are proud of this achievement,' added Dr. Rasha Kelej. According to WHO data, more than 180 million couples in developing countries - that is 1 in every 4 couple, suffer from infertility. In many cultures in Africa, infertility is a huge stigma. Women are solely blamed for failing to conceive and the social stigma of childlessness, especially for women leads to isolation and stigmatization and results in discrimination and ostracism. This mostly also leads to divorce or physical or psychological violence. As a part of 'More Than a Mother' Campaign, Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives to break this stigma and create a culture shift. Merck Foundation has also been empowering childless and infertile women through their 'Empowering Berna' initiative under their 'More Than a Mother' movement. This initiative helps women who cannot be treated for infertility anymore by helping them get trained to establish small businesses so that they can be independent and rebuild their lives. Through 'Empowering Berna', the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi, and many more. 'It's all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child,' added Dr. Kelej. Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 3700 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women. Merck Foundation in partnership with Africa's First Ladies, has also launched 'More Than Mother' Children's storybook to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future. The storybooks have been localized for each country and in three languages, English, French and Portuguese to better connect with the young readers. The book has also been adapted to an animation film. Watch More Than a Mother Animation Film here: Merck Foundation's pan African TV program 'Our Africa', that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa, has many episodes dedicated to raise awareness about infertility and breaking infertility stigma. Watch the episodes here: Episode 3: Episode 5: Episode 10: Merck Foundation has also released about 30 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their 'More Than a Mother' campaign. Listen to some of the songs here: 1. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'Plus qu'une MERE' composed and sung by Ms. Lucky-Lou, the daughter of The President and The First Lady of Burundi: 2. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana: 3. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Zambian Soul Singer Wezi: 4. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Sunita Daffeh from the Gambia: Listen to all 'More than a Mother' songs here: 'To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, we annually launch Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' Awards in partnership with African First Ladies. I would also like to invite the African Community of Media, Fashion, Filmmaking, and Musicians, students, and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year by sharing their creative work on submit@ concluded Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! Facebook: Merck Foundation X: @MerckFoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Instagram: Merck Foundation Threads: Merck Foundation Flickr: Merck Foundation Website: 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 and scientific research capacity 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 to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Flickr. To View the Image, Click on the Link Below: Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
Zawya
6 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Merck Foundation marks World ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Day 2025 by providing 716 scholarships of Embryology, Fertility and Reproductive care in 41 countries in Africa and Asia
Merck Foundation has made history by training the first local Embryologists and Reproductive&Fertility Experts in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Malawi, and Congo. Moreover, supported training for the staff of First Public IVF Centers in Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Niger, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Merck Foundation launched 'More Than a Mother Animation Film' that raises awareness about breaking infertility stigma, infertility prevention and male infertility, watch here: Merck Foundation ( the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks 'World ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Day 2025' together with African and Asian First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Campaign, by building and advancing fertility care capacity in Africa and Asia. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of 'More Than a Mother' emphasized, "At Merck Foundation we mark World Assisted Reproductive Technology Day by building Fertility and Reproductive Care capacity and empowering infertile women by improving their access to information, change of mindset and quality&equitable fertility care across Africa&Asia as part of our 'More than a Mother' campaign. I am very proud to share that we have provided till today 716 scholarships of Embryology, Fertility and Sexual&Reproductive care to young doctors from 41 countries in Africa and Asia to be the local Embryologists, Fertility&Reproductive care experts in their countries. Moreover, many of our Alumni were trained to be the first local experts in their countries where they never had even a single local embryologist or fertility specialist before our program such as; The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo , Mozambique and more. Together with African First Ladies, and other important partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility&Reproductive care across Africa and beyond', added Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' is a powerful campaign that defines interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility. Merck Foundation has provided 2280 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. 'To give an overview, out of our total 716 scholarships for Fertility and Reproductive care, we have provided more than 324 Scholarships for clinical and practical training to Fertility Specialists and Embryologists, and more than 392 Scholarships for PG Diploma and Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women's Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction&Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills and Family Medicine to doctors from 41 countries across Africa and Asia. We are proud of this achievement', added Dr. Rasha Kelej. According to WHO data, more than 180 million couples in developing countries - that is 1 in every 4 couple, suffer from infertility. In many cultures in Africa, infertility is a huge stigma. Women are solely blamed for failing to conceive and the social stigma of childlessness, especially for women leads to isolation and stigmatization and results in discrimination and ostracism. This mostly also leads to divorce or physical or psychological violence. As a part of 'More Than a Mother' Campaign, Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives to break this stigma and create a culture shift. Merck Foundation has also been empowering childless and infertile women through their 'Empowering Berna' initiative under their 'More Than a Mother' movement. This initiative helps women who cannot be treated for infertility anymore by helping them get trained to establish small businesses so that they can be independent and rebuild their lives. Through 'Empowering Berna', the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi, and many more. 'It's all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child,' added Dr. Kelej. Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 3700 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women. Merck Foundation in partnership with Africa's First Ladies, has also launched 'More Than Mother' Children's storybook to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future. The storybooks have been localized for each country and in three languages, English, French and Portuguese to better connect with the young readers. The book has also been adapted to an animation film. Watch More Than a Mother Animation Film here: Merck Foundation's pan African TV program 'Our Africa', that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa, has many episodes dedicated to raise awareness about infertility and breaking infertility stigma. Watch the episodes here: Episode 3: Episode 5: Episode 10: Merck Foundation has also released about 30 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their 'More Than a Mother' campaign. Listen to some of the songs here: Watch, share&subscribe to the 'Plus qu'une MERE' composed and sung by Ms. Lucky-Lou, the daughter of The President and The First Lady of Burundi: Watch, share&subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana: Watch, share&subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Zambian Soul Singer Wezi: Watch, share&subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Sunita Daffeh from the Gambia: Listen to all 'More than a Mother' songs here: 'To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, we annually launch Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' Awards in partnership with African First Ladies. I would also like to invite the African Community of Media, Fashion, Filmmaking, and Musicians, students, and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year by sharing their creative work on submit@ ', concluded Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation. Addtional Images: Contact: Mehak Handa Community Awareness Program Manager Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669 Email: Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard: Facebook: X: YouTube: Instagram: Threads: Flickr: Website: Download Merck Foundation App: 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 and scientific research capacity 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 to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook ( X ( Instagram ( YouTube ( Threads ( and Flickr (
Business Upturn
6 days ago
- Health
- Business Upturn
Merck Foundation Together with African and Asian First Ladies Mark ‘World Assisted Reproductive Technology Day' 2025 Through Their ‘More Than a Mother' Campaign
Merck Foundation , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks 'World ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Day 2025′ together with African and Asian First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Campaign, by building and advancing fertility care capacity in Africa and Asia. Business Wire India Merck Foundation has made history by training the first local Embryologists and Reproductive & Fertility Experts in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Malawi, and Congo. Moreover, supported training for the staff of First Public IVF Centers in Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Niger, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Merck Foundation launched 'More Than a Mother Animation Film' that raises awareness about breaking infertility stigma, infertility prevention and male infertility, watch here: Merck Foundation , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks 'World ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Day 2025′ together with African and Asian First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Campaign, by building and advancing fertility care capacity in Africa and Asia. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of 'More Than a Mother' emphasized, "At Merck Foundation we mark World Assisted Reproductive Technology Day by building Fertility and Reproductive Care capacity and empowering infertile women by improving their access to information, change of mindset and quality & equitable fertility care across Africa & Asia as part of our 'More than a Mother' campaign. I am very proud to share that we have provided till today 716 scholarships of Embryology, Fertility and Sexual & Reproductive care to young doctors from 41 countries in Africa and Asia to be the local Embryologists, Fertility & Reproductive care experts in their countries. Moreover, many of our Alumni were trained to be the first local experts in their countries where they never had even a single local embryologist or fertility specialist before our program such as; The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo, Mozambique and more. Together with African First Ladies, and other important partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility & Reproductive care across Africa and beyond,' added Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' is a powerful campaign that defines interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility. Merck Foundation has provided 2280 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. 'To give an overview, out of our total 716 scholarships for Fertility and Reproductive care, we have provided more than 324 Scholarships for clinical and practical training to Fertility Specialists and Embryologists, and more than 392 Scholarships for PG Diploma and Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women's Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction & Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills and Family Medicine to doctors from 41 countries across Africa and Asia. We are proud of this achievement,' added Dr. Rasha Kelej. According to WHO data, more than 180 million couples in developing countries – that is 1 in every 4 couple, suffer from infertility. In many cultures in Africa, infertility is a huge stigma. Women are solely blamed for failing to conceive and the social stigma of childlessness, especially for women leads to isolation and stigmatization and results in discrimination and ostracism. This mostly also leads to divorce or physical or psychological violence. As a part of 'More Than a Mother' Campaign, Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives to break this stigma and create a culture shift. Merck Foundation has also been empowering childless and infertile women through their 'Empowering Berna' initiative under their 'More Than a Mother' movement. This initiative helps women who cannot be treated for infertility anymore by helping them get trained to establish small businesses so that they can be independent and rebuild their lives. Through 'Empowering Berna', the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi, and many more. 'It's all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child,' added Dr. Kelej. Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 3700 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women. Merck Foundation in partnership with Africa's First Ladies, has also launched 'More Than Mother' Children's storybook to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future. The storybooks have been localized for each country and in three languages, English, French and Portuguese to better connect with the young readers. The book has also been adapted to an animation film. Watch More Than a Mother Animation Film here: Merck Foundation's pan African TV program 'Our Africa', that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa, has many episodes dedicated to raise awareness about infertility and breaking infertility stigma. Watch the episodes here: Episode 3: Episode 5: Episode 10: Merck Foundation has also released about 30 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their 'More Than a Mother' campaign. Listen to some of the songs here: Watch, share & subscribe to the 'Plus qu'une MERE' composed and sung by Ms. Lucky-Lou, the daughter of The President and The First Lady of Burundi: Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana: Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Zambian Soul Singer Wezi: Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Sunita Daffeh from the Gambia: Listen to all 'More than a Mother' songs here: 'To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, we annually launch Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' Awards in partnership with African First Ladies. I would also like to invite the African Community of Media, Fashion, Filmmaking, and Musicians, students, and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year by sharing their creative work on [email protected] , ' concluded Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! Facebook: Merck Foundation X: @MerckFoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Instagram: Merck Foundation Threads: Merck Foundation Flickr: Merck Foundation Website:
