{"id":7154,"date":"2025-01-15T15:24:57","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T11:24:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=7154"},"modified":"2025-01-15T15:49:35","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T11:49:35","slug":"merck-foundation-marks-international-womens-day-with-african-first-ladies-our-journey-to-empower-infertile-women-and-support-girl-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=7154","title":{"rendered":"Merck Foundation marks International Women\u2019s Day with African First Ladies &#8211; our journey to empower infertile women and support Girl education"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-in-Uganda-holding-a-chicken-gifted-to-her-by-the-local-women.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7155\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-in-Uganda-holding-a-chicken-gifted-to-her-by-the-local-women.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-in-Uganda-holding-a-chicken-gifted-to-her-by-the-local-women-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with infertile women during her visit to Uganda\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p><strong>From Women to Women &#8211; since 2012 Merck Foundation marks International Women Day 2023 through 10-year journey of programs \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d, \u201cEducating Linda\u201d, \u201cMerck Foundation Capacity Advancement\u201d and \u201cSTEM Program\u201d in Africa and beyond.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-15-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7156\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-15-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-15-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-15-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-15-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-15.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>From Women to Women, Merck Foundation empowers African Women through providing 650 medical scholarships to female doctors out of 1470 scholarships in many critical and underserved medical specialties. 10-year journey of empowering women in science to improving Women\u2019s health.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Merck Foundation supports girl education through their \u201cEducating Linda\u201d program by providing scholarships and school items to 1000\u2019s of girls in African countries. \u201cGirl education now for future women empowerment\u201d emphasized by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej , CEO of Merck foundation.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-8-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7158\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-8-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-8-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-8-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-8-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-8.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>Merck Foundation annually announces MARS Awards to appreciate and to recognize \u2018Best African Women Researchers\u2019 to empower women in STEM. MARS Awards 2023 have been announced to empower Women and Youth in STEM in Africa with special focus on scientific research in Women Health and Infertility &amp; Reproductive Health.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"859\" height=\"859\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7159\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-1.jpg 859w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 859px) 100vw, 859px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>Merck Foundation<\/strong>, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with\u00a0<strong>African First Ladies<\/strong>\u00a0who are their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication &amp; Gender, mark\u00a0<strong>\u2018International Women\u2019s Day 2023\u2019<\/strong>, through their 10-year journey of development programs and initiatives such as\u00a0<strong>\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d, \u201cEducating Linda\u201d, \u201cMerck Foundation Capacity Advancement\u201d and \u201cSTEM Program\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0in Africa and beyond.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-infertile-women-in-The-Gambia.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7160\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-infertile-women-in-The-Gambia.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Main-Image_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-infertile-women-in-The-Gambia-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej with infertile women in The Gambia.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p><strong>Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Most Influential African (2019, 2020, 2021 &amp; 2022)<\/strong>&nbsp;shared, &#8220;Happy Women\u2019s Day to all the women in the world and to the men who support and empower women. Empowering women is the spirit of everything we do at Merck Foundation, and it is part of my DNA as an African woman who succeeded through the right support to be CEO of Merck Foundation, to be the most influential African woman in the world for four years in a row, and to be a senator in the Egyptian Senate. Therefore, I understand that women have tremendous potential to excel in any field they represent, but they are deprived of a favorable environment to explore their true potential in many societies, especially in underserved communities. I believe there is a need to redefine the status of women in society.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7161\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p>We at Merck Foundation, through all our key programs like \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d, \u201cEducating Linda\u201d, \u201cMerck Foundation Capacity Advancement\u201d and \u201cSTEM Program\u201d, mark Women\u2019s Day every day by supporting girl education and empowering girls and women. It is our 10-year journey and we are proud of it.\u201d<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"815\" height=\"815\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7162\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-9.jpg 815w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-9-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-9-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-9-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><\/figure><p>&#8220;Merck Foundation More Than a Mother&#8221; is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-3_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7163\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-3_1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-3_1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-2_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7164\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-2_1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-2_1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>\u201cTogether with our partners; African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education &amp; Gender, Media &amp; Art, we have provided more than\u00a0<strong>650 out of 1470 scholarships to female doctors in 50 countries<\/strong>\u00a0which is a great achievement for us. I am particularly proud that we have provided\u00a0<strong>435 scholarships to doctors\u00a0<\/strong>from 50 countries with the aim to advance women&#8217;s health by building reproductive &amp; sexual health and fertility care capacity.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-H_E_-First-Lady-of-Central-African-Republic-with-a-group-of-infertile-women.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7165\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-H_E_-First-Lady-of-Central-African-Republic-with-a-group-of-infertile-women.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-H_E_-First-Lady-of-Central-African-Republic-with-a-group-of-infertile-women-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej with H.E. First Lady of Central African Republic with a group of infertile women.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-H_E_-First-Lady-of-Central-African-Republic-with-a-group-of-infertile-women-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7166\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-H_E_-First-Lady-of-Central-African-Republic-with-a-group-of-infertile-women-1-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-H_E_-First-Lady-of-Central-African-Republic-with-a-group-of-infertile-women-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>Moreover, we have trained over 2200 media representatives from over 35 countries, to raise awareness and address sensitive issues related to women and girl\u2019s empowerment. We created the Merck Foundation&#8217;s unique TV program, &#8220;Our Africa,&#8221; to sensitize our communities about various social and health issues in an informative and entertaining way. Moreover, we also launched media, fashion, song, and film awards, created 30 local songs and 8 children\u2019s storybooks, provided grants to hundreds for African schoolgirls to continue their education. We will continue our efforts to empower girls and women through our social media campaign with 5 million followers\u201d,\u00a0<strong>Senator Rasha Kelej<\/strong>\u00a0explained their impact.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7167\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-5.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-5-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7168\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-4.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-4-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>Merck Foundation also empowers women in the areas of Science and Technology through their STEM Program.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"721\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7169\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-6.jpg 721w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-6-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-6-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/><\/figure><p>Merck foundation annually conduct Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit-&nbsp;MARS and launch MARS Awards to appreciate and recognize \u2018Best African Women Researchers\u2019 and &#8216;Best Young African Researcher\u2019.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Kenya-meeting-infertile-women-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7170\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Kenya-meeting-infertile-women-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Kenya-meeting-infertile-women-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit to Kenya, meeting infertile women<\/strong><\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Kenya-meeting-infertile-women-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7171\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Kenya-meeting-infertile-women-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Kenya-meeting-infertile-women-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>\u201cOur aim is to empower women and also young African researchers, advance their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"857\" height=\"857\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7172\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-3.jpg 857w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-3-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 857px) 100vw, 857px\" \/><\/figure><p>This year\u2019s focus of MARS Awards is on scientific research in Women Health and Reproductive Care\u201d, emphasized&nbsp;<strong>Dr. Kelej.<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><em><u>Details for MARS AWARDS 2023<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"725\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MARS-call-for-application-2023-FINAL-013-725x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7173\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MARS-call-for-application-2023-FINAL-013-725x1024.jpg 725w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MARS-call-for-application-2023-FINAL-013-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MARS-call-for-application-2023-FINAL-013-768x1084.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MARS-call-for-application-2023-FINAL-013.jpg 850w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px\" \/><\/figure><p>Merck Foundation strongly believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-10-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7174\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-10-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-10-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-10-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-10-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-10.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Together with\u00a0<strong>African First Ladies<\/strong>, they have contributed to the future of\u00a0100\u2019s\u00a0of girls by providing grants to continue their education and providing essential school items, through \u201cEducating Linda\u201d program in many African countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and more.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7175\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7176\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u201cGirl education today for women empowerment tomorrow\u201d, emphasized&nbsp;<strong>Senator Kelej<\/strong>.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-12-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7177\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-12-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-12-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-12-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-12-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-12.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Through their \u201cOur Africa\u201d TV program, Merck Foundation has sensitized communities about various social and health issues like Women Empowerment, Breaking Infertility Stigma, Ending Child Marriage, Stopping GBV, Ending FGM, and Supporting Girl Education in an informative and entertaining way. The\u00a0<strong>pan African TV program<\/strong>\u00a0is\u00a0<strong>conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.<\/strong>\u00a0The TV program has been broadcasted on National TV Stations of Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and soon to be also broadcast in The Gambia, Ghana Kenya, and Botswana.<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Watch&nbsp;<strong><a>\u201cOur Africa by Merck Foundation\u201d&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong>episode on<strong>&nbsp;Women Empowerment<\/strong>&nbsp;here:<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"&#039;Our Africa by Merck Foundation&#039; by Merck Foundation Ep. 12: Women Empowerment.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xghKVbJi2ds?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Watch&nbsp;<strong>\u201cOur Africa by Merck Foundation\u201d&nbsp;<\/strong>episodes on&nbsp;<strong>Ending Child Marriage &amp; Supporting Girl Education<\/strong>&nbsp;here:<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"&#039;Our Africa by Merck Foundation&#039; TV Program, Ep.2: Ending Child Marriage &amp; Supporting Girl Education\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g5wpzOr22l0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"&#039;Our Africa by Merck Foundation&#039; TV Program Ep. 13: Stop Child Marriage\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S3gpDy_eJcg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"&#039;Our Africa by Merck Foundation&#039; TV Program Ep. 11: Yes to Girls Education.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jGz6yNSik7g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p>Merck Foundation in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>African First Ladies<\/strong>&nbsp;has also announced the new edition of their annual awards for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians\/ Singers to participate in order to raise awareness through their creative work about critical social and health issues like&nbsp;<strong>Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls\u2019 Education, Ending Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV, Women Empowerment at all levels.<\/strong><\/p><p>\u201cI invite all African talents to apply for these awards at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:submit@merck-foundation.com\"><strong>submit@merck-foundation.com<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u201d, said Dr Kelej.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Click&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/Upcoming-Programs-&amp;-Call-For-Applications\">here<\/a>&nbsp;to view details of all Awards.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"722\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage-1-1-1024x722.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage-1-1-1024x722.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage-1-1-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage-1-1-768x541.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage-1-1-1536x1083.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Call-for-Applications-Collage-1-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Listen to Merck Foundation song here:<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Watch, share &amp; subscribe to the&nbsp;<strong>\u201cSuperwoman\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;song here, sung by two famous singers, Cwezi and Adina from Ghana respectively:&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Merck More than a Mother song by Cwesi Oteng &amp; Adina from Ghana\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NQ6ZprqAAJs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Watch, share &amp; subscribe to the&nbsp;<strong>\u201cGirl Can\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;song here, sung by two famous singers, Irene and Cwezi from Liberia and Ghana respectively:&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Educating Linda Song - \u201cGirls Can&quot; by Irene Logan &amp; Cwesi Oteng from Liberia and Ghana\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6LP92vAWYgs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Watch, share &amp; subscribe the&nbsp;\u201c<strong>Like Them<\/strong>\u201d&nbsp;song here, sung by Kenneth, a famous singer from Uganda:<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Merck Foundation &#039;Like Them&#039; song by Kenneth Mugabi of Uganda to support girls\u2019 education.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jCo52vtz3Q0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p>Watch, share &amp; subscribe \u201c<strong>Take me to School<\/strong>\u201d&nbsp;song here, sung by Wezi, Afro-soul singer from Zambia, to support girls\u2019 education:&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Merck Foundation &#039;Take me to school&#039; song by Wezi of Zambia to support girls\u2019 education.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rWcujLMbKSg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Watch share &amp; subscribe&nbsp;\u201c<strong>Tu Podes Sim<\/strong>\u201d&nbsp;Portuguese song, which means \u201c<strong>Yes, You Can<\/strong>\u201d in English by&nbsp;<strong>Blaze and Tamyris Moiane, singers from Mozambique<\/strong>&nbsp;in English here:<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Educating Linda Song- &#039;Tu Podes Sim&#039; by Hot Blaze and Tamyris Moiane from Mozambique\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BGWR2S-mxl4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Watch, share &amp; subscribe \u201c<strong>Brighter day\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;song by&nbsp;<strong>Sean K<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Cwesi Oteng<\/strong>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<strong>Namibia<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Ghana<\/strong>&nbsp;respectively:&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Brighter day song by Sean K and Cwesi Oteng, production of Merck Foundation by Dr. Rasha Kelej\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/I3_C4uyFuZk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"716\" height=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-16.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7179\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-16.jpg 716w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-16-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-16-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Read the Merck Foundation storybook:<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>EDUCATING LINDA<\/strong><br><strong>Read Book<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1623068469_6affa28d861b48da41cf.pdf\">English<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1623068426_277a6ccd22b60f18fa2e.pdf\">French<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1623068453_8d5d80f51c6650be9937.pdf\">Portuguese<\/a><\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"706\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Educating-Linda1-706x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7180\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Educating-Linda1-706x1024.jpg 706w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Educating-Linda1-207x300.jpg 207w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Educating-Linda1.jpg 769w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 706px) 100vw, 706px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>JACKLINE&#8217;S RESCUE<\/strong><br><strong>Read Book\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1639990408_efbd2346fb16c605c12d.pdf\">English<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1639990625_90b566f528e2d39d0ee2.pdf\">French<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1639990713_eade4c1e38ba34b98e69.pdf\">Portuguese<\/a><\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"726\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RJ-726x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7181\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RJ-726x1024.jpg 726w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RJ-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RJ-768x1083.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/RJ.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>A RIDE INTO THE FUTURE<\/strong><br><strong>Read Book\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1639993429_cca7a831eeb6dbe2c188.pdf\">English<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1641816900_f553e50c9568038379b8.pdf\">French<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1641816979_6166fedfdfcf6d924cd4.pdf\">Portuguese<\/a><\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/English-Pic-Ride-into-the-Future1-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7182\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/English-Pic-Ride-into-the-Future1-767x1024.jpg 767w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/English-Pic-Ride-into-the-Future1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/English-Pic-Ride-into-the-Future1-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/English-Pic-Ride-into-the-Future1.jpg 788w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>NOT WHO YOU ARE<\/strong><br><strong>Read Book\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1639992445_87746fd4b1fd877162a7.pdf\">English<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1639992908_21fa7dfd1014be3cd0db.pdf\">French<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/merckfoundation\/public\/uploads\/digital_library\/1639992986_093d02f8287adadb875d.pdf\">Portuguese<\/a><\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"378\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Not-Who-you-are1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7183\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Not-Who-you-are1.jpg 378w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Not-Who-you-are1-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 378px) 100vw, 378px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-131-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7184\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-131-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-131-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-131-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-131-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-131.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"748\" height=\"748\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-17.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7185\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-17.jpg 748w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-17-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-17-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 748px) 100vw, 748px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-112-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7186\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-112-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-112-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-112-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-112-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-112.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"825\" height=\"825\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7187\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-5.jpg 825w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-5-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Guinea.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7188\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Guinea.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Guinea-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit to Guinea<\/strong><\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-in-Gambia-with-local-women.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7189\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-in-Gambia-with-local-women.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-in-Gambia-with-local-women-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-a-group-of-infertile-women-during-her-visit-to-Central-African-Republic.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7190\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-a-group-of-infertile-women-during-her-visit-to-Central-African-Republic.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-a-group-of-infertile-women-during-her-visit-to-Central-African-Republic-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"855\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7191\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-2.jpg 855w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-2-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 855px) 100vw, 855px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"828\" height=\"827\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7192\" style=\"width:1200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-4.jpg 828w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/International-Womens-Day-2023-Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-4-768x767.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 828px) 100vw, 828px\" \/><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with infertile women during her visit to Uganda\u00a0\u00a0 From Women to Women &#8211; since 2012 Merck Foundation marks International Women Day 2023 through 10-year journey of programs \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d, \u201cEducating Linda\u201d, \u201cMerck Foundation Capacity Advancement\u201d and \u201cSTEM Program\u201d in Africa and beyond. Merck Foundation annually [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7155,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-activities"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Merck Foundation marks International Women\u2019s Day with African First Ladies - our journey to empower infertile women and support Girl education | Rasha Kelej<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=7154\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Merck Foundation marks International Women\u2019s Day with African First Ladies - our journey to empower infertile women and support Girl education | Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with infertile women during her visit to Uganda\u00a0\u00a0 From Women to Women &#8211; since 2012 Merck Foundation marks International Women Day 2023 through 10-year journey of programs \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d, \u201cEducating Linda\u201d, \u201cMerck Foundation Capacity Advancement\u201d and \u201cSTEM Program\u201d in Africa and beyond. 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