{"id":8003,"date":"2026-02-25T16:41:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8003"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:59:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:59:02","slug":"merck-foundation-ceo-and-african-first-ladies-continue-their-partnership-to-advocate-for-girl-education-to-end-fgm-across-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8003","title":{"rendered":"Merck Foundation CEO and African First Ladies continue their partnership to Advocate for Girl Education to End FGM Across Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Main_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-Fashion-Designers-displaying-designs-on-STOP-FGM-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8004\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Main_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-Fashion-Designers-displaying-designs-on-STOP-FGM-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Main_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-Fashion-Designers-displaying-designs-on-STOP-FGM-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Main_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-Fashion-Designers-displaying-designs-on-STOP-FGM-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Main_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-Fashion-Designers-displaying-designs-on-STOP-FGM-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Main_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-Fashion-Designers-displaying-designs-on-STOP-FGM-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Main_Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-Fashion-Designers-displaying-designs-on-STOP-FGM.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Merck Foundation also marks International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026 through their \u201cOur Africa\u201d TV Program.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Merck Foundation CEO and African First Ladies continue their partnership to Advocate for Girl Education to End FGM Across Africa.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasizes that Girl Education is Key to Ending Female Genital Mutilation, Child Marriage and Breaking Infertility Stigma around women.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-2_2-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8005\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-2_2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-2_2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-2_2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-2_2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-2_2-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-2_2-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-2_2.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>February 2026: Merck Foundation<\/strong>, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, together with&nbsp;<strong>African First Ladies<\/strong>, marks the&nbsp;<strong>International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026&nbsp;<\/strong>through their&nbsp;<strong>\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d and \u201cEducating Linda\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;programs. Merck Foundation has also powerfully addressed the harms and dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) through a dedicated episode of their Pan-African TV program, \u201c<strong>Our Africa by Merck Foundation\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p><p><strong>Watch the Episode of \u201cOur Africa by Merck Foundation\u201d TV program on Ending FGM here:<\/strong><\/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.6: Stop FGM\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7GtXkBYv_94?start=3&#038;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><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and President of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>campaign<\/strong>&nbsp;expressed, \u201cFGM is a harmful practice that violates the rights and dignity of millions of girls and women across Africa and beyond. It has no health benefits, only harms. Together with my dear sisters,&nbsp;<strong>the African Ladies<\/strong>, we are committed to breaking the silence, raising awareness, and empowering communities to stand against this deeply rooted tradition. Together, we can create a future where every girl has the freedom to live a healthy, empowered, and dignified life.\u201d<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-31-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8006\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-31-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-31-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-31-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-31-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-31-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-31-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-31.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>\u201cThrough a specially dedicated episode of our very popular&nbsp;<strong>\u201cOur Africa\u201d TV program<\/strong>, we have communicated in detail the harms of FGM and appealed to African communities to stop this harmful practice. Moreover, together with African First Ladies, we annually launch our More Than a Mother Awards to recognize the best media work, films, songs, and fashion designs that raise awareness on ending FGM, supporting girls&#8217; education, and addressing other sensitive social issues\u201d, added&nbsp;<strong>Dr. Rasha Kelej.<\/strong><\/p><p><em>Submit the entries for Awards here:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/Awards-Online-Application-Form\"><strong>https:\/\/merck-foundation.com\/Awards-Online-Application-Form<\/strong><\/a><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"587\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merc-Foundation-CEO-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-marks-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-20261-587x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8007\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merc-Foundation-CEO-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-marks-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-20261-587x1024.jpg 587w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merc-Foundation-CEO-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-marks-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-20261-172x300.jpg 172w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merc-Foundation-CEO-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-marks-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-20261-600x1047.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merc-Foundation-CEO-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-marks-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-20261.jpg 688w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 587px) 100vw, 587px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>\u201cOur Africa by Merck Foundation\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;is a&nbsp;<strong>pan African TV<\/strong>&nbsp;program&nbsp;<strong>conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-MFFLI-Summit-1024x614.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8008\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-MFFLI-Summit-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-MFFLI-Summit-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-MFFLI-Summit-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-MFFLI-Summit-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-MFFLI-Summit-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-MFFLI-Summit.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"557\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-5-1024x557.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8009\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-5-1024x557.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-5-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-5-768x418.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-5-1536x836.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-5-600x327.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-5.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>The TV program has been broadcast on prime TV stations of many African countries including Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Zambia, Namibia etc, and&nbsp;is currently available on&nbsp;<strong>Social Media handles<\/strong>&nbsp;of<strong>&nbsp; Dr. Rasha Kelej (<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/watch\/KelejRasha\/\"><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a><strong>,&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rasha_kelej\/\"><strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/a><strong>,&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Rashakelej\"><strong>Twitter<\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCO_bN_T_NodcOYwcPjknaog\"><strong>YouTube<\/strong><\/a><strong>) and Merck Foundation (<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/merckfoundation\/\"><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a><strong>,&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/merckfoundation\/\"><strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/a><strong>,&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MerckFoundation\"><strong>Twitter<\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MerckFoundation\"><strong>YouTube<\/strong><\/a><strong>).&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"621\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-2-1024x621.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-2-1024x621.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-2-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-2-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-2-1536x931.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-2-600x364.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-2.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"648\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-133-1024x648.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-133-1024x648.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-133-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-133-768x486.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-133-1536x972.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-133-600x380.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-133.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>As per WHO, around the world, over 230 million girls and women have undergone FGM. Africa accounts for the largest share of this total, with over 144 million. This accounts to more than 60% of the total cases.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-for-MFFLI-committee-meeting-during-their-Luminary-21-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-for-MFFLI-committee-meeting-during-their-Luminary-21-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-for-MFFLI-committee-meeting-during-their-Luminary-21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-for-MFFLI-committee-meeting-during-their-Luminary-21-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-for-MFFLI-committee-meeting-during-their-Luminary-21-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-for-MFFLI-committee-meeting-during-their-Luminary-21-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-for-MFFLI-committee-meeting-during-their-Luminary-21.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-22-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-22-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-22-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-22-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-22-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-22-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-and-CEO-with-African-First-Ladies-during-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary-in-Gambia-22.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>\u201cI firmly believe that education is one of the most essential pillars of women\u2019s empowerment and plays a vital role in eliminating harmful practices like FGM, which serve no benefit to anyone. Therefore, through our&nbsp;<strong>\u201cEducating Linda\u201d,<\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>First Ladies of Africa,&nbsp;<\/strong>we have provided till date more than 1200 annual scholarships to high-performing and underprivileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, enabling them to complete their studies and reach their potential. Through these scholarships we have supported the education of girls from several African countries including Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"644\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-8-1024x644.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-8-1024x644.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-8-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-8-768x483.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-8-1536x967.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-8-600x378.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladi-Copy-8.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Moreover, Merck Foundation has benefitted thousands of girls by distributing essential school items, and through their awareness campaign which includes releasing many inspiring children\u2019s storybooks, animation films and songs to support girl education. &nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-1-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Merck-Foundation-International-Day-of-Zero-Tolerance-for-FGM-2026-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>February 2026: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, together with&nbsp;African First Ladies, marks the&nbsp;International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026&nbsp;through their&nbsp;\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d and \u201cEducating Linda\u201d&nbsp;programs. Merck Foundation has also powerfully addressed the harms and dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) through a dedicated episode of their Pan-African [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8004,"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-8003","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 CEO and African First Ladies continue their partnership to Advocate for Girl Education to End FGM Across Africa | 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=8003\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Merck Foundation CEO and African First Ladies continue their partnership to Advocate for Girl Education to End FGM Across Africa | Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"February 2026: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, together with&nbsp;African First Ladies, marks the&nbsp;International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026&nbsp;through their&nbsp;\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d and \u201cEducating Linda\u201d&nbsp;programs. 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