Happy Women’s Day to my lovely sisters and First Ladies of Africa, It is an honor for Merck Foundation to Partner with First Ladies of more than 18 countries to lead and execute the initiatives in their respective countries as Merck More Than a Mother Ambassadors.
With “More Than a Mother”, we have initiated a cultural shift to break infertility stigma at all levels: By raising awareness, support girls education, training more than 180 local fertility specialists and embryologists, and more than 150 sexual and reproductive care specialists from 35 countries and 1500 media representatives from 20 countries.
We have also built advocacy in partnership with African First Ladies through our social media with more than 3 M followers, launched media, fashion, and film awards created 20 local songs and children storybooks and supported many childless women in starting their own small businesses.
It’s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.
Kind regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej
CEO of Merck Foundation
African Woman of The Year 2020
President of ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’
