{"id":5440,"date":"2021-09-01T16:59:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T12:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=5440"},"modified":"2021-09-13T17:04:09","modified_gmt":"2021-09-13T13:04:09","slug":"infertility-is-a-shared-responsibility-couples-should-work-together-merck-foundation-ceo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=5440","title":{"rendered":"Infertility is a shared responsibility, couples should work together \u2013 Merck Foundation CEO"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Infertility<\/figure><\/div>

Infertility is a shared responsibility, couples should work together \u2013 Merck Foundation CEO <\/p>

By Ebere Agozie<\/p>

Dr Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation of More than a Mother says infertility challenge among couples is a shared responsibility.<\/p>

Kelej, who is also a member of the Egyptian Senate said this during the video conference to celebrate the 2020 `More Than a Mother\u2019 Fashion awards on Wednesday.<\/p>

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 21 fashion designers from Ghana, Zambia and Namibia won the awards, each country having seven award recipients.<\/p>

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The CEO urged couples who are having fertility issues to work together in finding solutions to their challenge, adding that infertility can be prevented and also can be treated.<\/p>

\u201cWe want to stop infertility stigmatization, our society see infertility as women\u2019s problem, forgetting that it\u2019s a shared responsibility.<\/p>

\u201cAt Merck Foundation, we say no to it, infertility could occur in both male and female, this is the more reason the males in our society should join hands in the fight against infertility stimatisation.<\/p>

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\u201cWe have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatise infertility at all levels and give every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilled life, with or without a child\u2019\u2019.<\/p>

She noted that the fashion awards were in partnership with African First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a mother.<\/p>

\u201cFashion industry already got enough flack for being superficial, we want to change this perception and create a meaningful fashion trend aiming to educate our communities.<\/p>

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\u201cI love fashion and I strongly believe that designers can make designs for men and women that they would be proud to wear to show their contribution toward their communities, villages, and cities across Africa.<\/p>

 \u201cI am proud to recognise and appreciate our winners and welcome them to our newly established \u2018Fashion with Purpose\u2019 community.<\/p>

\u201cMerck Foundation additionally rewarded the winners by providing them with one-year access to an online educational training program called \u201cMasterClass\u201d.<\/p>

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Kelej, thereafter promised to mentor award recipients on how to execute their designs and urged other young African designers to join the fashion with purpose<\/strong> community.<\/p>

\u201cOur winners developed extraordinary creative designs that deliver strong and influential messages to empower infertile women and say \u2018No to Infertility Stigma\u2019.<\/p>

\u201cI want young talents to participate in our upcoming exciting initiatives to raise awareness and sensitise our communities about important social and cultural issues.<\/p>

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\u201cIssues like girls\u2019 education, \u2018stop Gender Based Violence\u2019 and \u2018break infertility stigma\u2019, and be the voice of the voiceless\u201d.<\/p>

She said that Merck Foundation launched an annual competition for the best designs that carry messages to address sensitive social and health issues.<\/p>

\u201cThe two awards are 2021 More Than a Mother Merck Foundation Fashion Awards with a submission deadline of October 30, 2021, and Make Your Own Mask fashion awards with a deadline, September 30.<\/p>

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\u201cThe call is for all African Fashion students and designers who are to create and share designs that will deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about infertility prevention and breaking infertility stigma, empowering girls and women through Education.<\/p>

\u201cThey should also create and share designs of masks and other clothing items that carry messages to encourage people to wear masks to show they care and at the same time make it creative and fun\u2019\u2019.<\/p>

The award recipients from Ghana are Leticia Ashie Owusu, Gifty Amonu Essel, Kizito Ronald Jr, Placid Leke, Anuja Bharti, Paul Akrofie and Desmond Nhyira Amankonah.<\/p>

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Those from Namibia are Linrico Humphries, Stephany-Lee Schmidt, Aina Shigwedha, Hope Gowera, Joel Musasa, Eugenia Benard and Paulton Luciano Witbooi.<\/p>

And from Zambia are Nelly Banda, Ruth Chimbala, Cecilia Njobvu, Linda Ngwira, Naomi Soko, Gibstar Makangila and Kasonde Makangila.<\/p>

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Infertility is a shared responsibility, couples should work together \u2013 Merck Foundation CEO<\/a><\/blockquote>