It is an honor to witness the great work that my dear sister, The First Lady of Burundi and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, is doing under The Foundation Bonne action – Umugiraneza in collaboration with Merck Foundation to support girls enrolled in “Educating Linda” program with school fees and school supplies.
We at Merck Foundation empower women and girls through education, information, health, and change of mindset as part of “More than a Mother” campaign.
I strongly believe that girl Education and ending child marriage are the right strategy to empower women and end GBV. Girl education is also an area that represents some of the clearest examples of discrimination women suffer. As evident in UNICEF’s declaration that in Africa, among children not attending school there are twice as many girls as boys, and among illiterate adults there are twice as many women as men.
Girls’ education is not a luxury. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women establish it as a basic human right. I believe now is the time to stand for the rights of women and empower them.
Congratulations for this great milestone. I am proud to be associated with Burundi First Lady .
Kind regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej
CEO Merck Foundation
President of Merck Foundation “More than a Mother”
