I am proud to announce the winners of the “Stop GBV” Best Poster Contest together with my dear sister, H.E Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of the Republic of Botswana and Ambassador of Merck More Than A Mother, with the aim to prevent gender-based violence and child abuse in the country.
In 2020, I virtually joined the Botswana First Lady, during her cycling tour to STOP GBV and marked the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls together.
The Contest Objectives were:
• Stop Gender-Based Violence.
• Take a stand against GBV and child abuse.
• Help people understand that GBV is unacceptable and evil.
• Promote Zero tolerance of GBV.
• Demonstrate that GBV can be emotional, financial, physical, and sexual.
We have worked with the jury committee to select the most creative and inspiring work that advocates one of the key contest objectives of stopping GBV.
The first three award winners are:
- Tamucha Tulu
- Elijah Maphakela
- Mohumagadi Moruti
Moreover, the below 10 winners were awarded a Special Award, that includes:
- Tsotlhe Morakenyane
- Thandie Sibanda
- Thapelo Letshwiti
- Sade. S Rabasha
- Thatayamodimo Thekiso
- Trudy Bakwena
- Malebogo W. Rantlhotse
- Kumbulani Machola
- Tshepang Mogotsi
- Maikano Mojiwa
I am looking forward to joining the next cycling tour and launching the second edition of this poster contest in partnership with the First Lady of the Republic of Botswana and the Ambassador of Merck More than a Mother in 2021.
I am also looking forward to continuing our programs to build healthcare capacity and continue providing Merck Foundation scholarships of one-year diploma and two-year master degree in many medical specialties that are critical with the aim to transform the healthcare landscape and improve patient care in Botswana, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
Till today, we have provided scholarships to more than 39 doctors in specialties of Oncology, Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Endocrinology, Respiratory and Acute Medicines, and Reproductive and Sexual medicines, which is also very important for advancing women health and reproductive health. These programs are also very critical to empower girls and women against many challenges, especially GBV.
Access to health, awareness, and education is an important key to stop gender-based violence.
Let’s say together #NoToGBV.
Kind regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej
CEO of Merck Foundation
President of Merck More Than A Mother
One of the 100 Most Influential Africans (2019, 2020)
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