By Scribe
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, an African woman to hold the position of the first CEO
to Merck Foundation. She is also Senator at the Egyptian Senate, a strong crusader
for transforming patient care in Africa and developing countries, passionate advocate
of women’s rights and girls’ education, one of the most influential African women in
2019, 2020 and 2021. She is also a producer & director of various inspiring music
videos, short movies and TV programs to raise awareness about critical social health
and social topics in Africa through fashion & art.
An inspirational woman with a significant impact:
Hailed from Egypt and based in Dubai, Dr. Rasha Kelej led the establishment of Merck
Foundation to continue her efforts in sustainable development through building
healthcare capacity, supporting girl education, empowering women, and youth of
Africa and beyond, since 2012.
The Creator of “More than a Mother” movement:
For her efforts to create ‘More Than a Mother’ Movement, which touched many hearts,
Dr. Kelej was acknowledged as one of the 100 Most Influential African Women (2019,
2020, 2021).
A Member at Egyptian Senate:
Rasha Kelej has been appointed in October 2020 as a Member at The Egyptian Senate
(2020 – 2025) where she plays an important advisory role with regards to African
Health, Economic and Social Sustainable Development and collaborative
opportunities between Egypt and rest of Africa.
Mama Africa and Sustainable development pioneer:
Lovingly called ‘Mama Africa’, she has strong partnerships with 20 African First
Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education, Information & Communication,
Academia, media, art which contributed significantly to the success of their programs.
Dr. Kelej is also an inspirational pioneer in the transformation of patient care in Africa.
Till 2021, more than 1200 doctors from 44 countries have benefited from Merck
Foundation scholarships one and two-year diploma and Master degree in critical
specialties.
Making History in Africa:
One of the most successful programs that Dr. Kelej has created and presided is the
historic campaign “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” and its innovative
initiatives which aims to empower childless and infertile women through access to
information, health, change of mind set and economic empowerment.
She works closely with 20 African First Ladies as Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation
More Than a Mother” in their countries, to break the stigma around infertility and
empower infertile women.
Merck Foundation has supported and empowered more than 1000 childless women
with small businesses to be independent and stronger.
“This program is very close to my heart and will continue for the next five years. I
cannot forget the happiness and pride in those women’s eyes after they experience
their success and realize their purpose in life and that they are “More than Mother”
heroines”, Rasha Kelej emphasizes.
Moreover, more than 180 candidates are enrolled in clinical and practical training for
Fertility specialists and Embryologists, while over 170 doctors have been enrolled in
Sexual and Reproductive Medicines, Psychiatry and Biotechnology of Human Assisted
Reproduction and Embryology, from over 39 countries.
She creates a legacy for Merck Foundation in Africa:
Under her headship, Merck Foundation is making history in many African countries
where they never had Fertility specialists or specialized Fertility clinics before this
program intervened, by training the first Fertility specialists and Embryologists. This
will eventually aid women and couples with better access to equitable and quality
fertility care.
Dr Kelej added “We are making history and legacy in Africa, first Fertility specialists,
Embryology, Oncologist, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Respiratory expert and and more
in many countries are trained by Merck Foundation. I am so proud and want to invite
all doctors to apply to our scholarships on our email submit@merck-foundation.com
to fill health gaps in their communities, we are covering more than 26 underserved
and critical specialties for Africa and developing countries.”
Advocating Girl Education for Women Empowerment:
“I strongly believe in girl education. When Girls are educated, their countries become
more powerful, stronger & prosperous. I realize there’s need for more support as
there are many brilliant girls out there who are struggling financially and socially to
meet their educational needs. Therefore, we started “Educating Linda”, pan African
program which is tailored for each country to contribute to the future of these girls
as part of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, explained Merck Foundation
CEO.
With Merck Foundation, the CEO’s target is to empower girls and women through
various initiatives, including providing training for female & young researchers &
medical graduates and supporting the education of best performing Girl students in
Africa.
Dr. Kelej explained “At Merck Foundation, we strongly believe in education as an
important factor in promoting economic well-being in Africa and as strong strategy
to stop child marriage, GBV, FGM and STDs. Girl education is the best vaccine for HIV
and considered as the best investment in global economy. It is estimated by world
reports that for every additional year of primary school, a girl’s future income
increases by 10-20%.”
Reaching to children to create a culture shift:
Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies also publishes and
distributes children’s storybooks to raise awareness about many sensitive andsocial
topics, among children and adolescents.
These stories emphasize strong family values of love and respect from young age
which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and resulted domestic
violence in the future. They also aim to support girl education and stop child marriage
and gender-based violence.
There 6 different storybooks have been localized for each country to have a better
connect with the young readers. The inspiring storybooks released are:
• “Educating Linda” and “Ride into Future” to emphasize on the importance of
empowering girls through education,
• “David’s Story” – emphasizes strong family values of love and respect from a
young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and resulted
domestic violence in the future,
• “Jackline’s rescue” focuses on the importance of Girls Education and highlights
the immoral practices of society including child marriage and the dowry system and
• “Not Who You Are” to teach boys to love and respect their future wives and
eliminate domestic violence.
“I hope these stories would inspire every girl to fight for her right of education and
encourage our communities to support their girls’, so that they can reach their
potential and pursue their dreams and make stronger and healthier families,
communities and countries”, emphasized Dr. Kelej.
Breaking the Silence through Fashion, Art and Music:
This versatile lady and a style icon is a trailblazer and is influential in changing the
perception of how fashion, film, music, and media can be utilized to address sensitive
social and health issues such as breaking infertility stigma and support girl education
in Africa. This has been exemplified with the launch of “More Than A Mother” Fashion,
Films, Songs & Media Awards as she strongly believes in the critical role art, media,
and fashion play, to break the silence and address sensitive social and health issues
in our communities.
“I’d like to invite all African Fashion designers, musicians, film makers, singers and
media representatives to apply for our awards and be our champions in their
communities, submit@merck-foundation.com ” she added.
Directed and produced 20 African songs:
Apart from the awards, training and advocacy platforms, Dr. Kelej has raised
awareness about infertility and empowering women in the continent by utilizing
songs, film, and media as a medium. She has launched more than 20 songs with
famous African singers.
TV show in the pipeline to sensitize our communities:
She has created a new TV show which is still in the pipeline to create awareness
around infertility, eliminating GBV and child marriage, supporting girls’ education and
women empowerment.” It is the first of its kind, a community of fashion and art with
purpose, consists of African experts, young fashion designers, musicians and artists
and media representative from all over Africa, stay tuned to know more”, she
emphasizes.
Merck foundation CEO, Rasha Kelej’s actions have certainly made an impact; and the
most meaningful is her importance as a role model for millions of women across the
globe.
Dr. Rasha’s story is an example of how we must not let our circumstances define who
we become. In a world where female role models are scarce, Dr. Rasha’s legacy is
outstanding and inspiring.
To follow her journey in achieving Merck Foundation mission, and to empower women
and transform patient care in Africa visit: www.merck-foundation.com and
www.rasha-kelej.com.