{"id":8165,"date":"2026-04-01T16:30:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T12:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8165"},"modified":"2026-04-01T16:31:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T12:31:01","slug":"message-from-dr-rasha-kelej-ceo-of-merck-foundation-on-marking-international-womens-day-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8165","title":{"rendered":"Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on marking International Women\u2019s Day 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/APO-Main_Message-from-Merck-Foundation-CEO-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-20261.jpg-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/APO-Main_Message-from-Merck-Foundation-CEO-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-20261.jpg-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/APO-Main_Message-from-Merck-Foundation-CEO-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-20261.jpg-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/APO-Main_Message-from-Merck-Foundation-CEO-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-20261.jpg-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/APO-Main_Message-from-Merck-Foundation-CEO-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-20261.jpg-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/APO-Main_Message-from-Merck-Foundation-CEO-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-20261.jpg-600x600.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/APO-Main_Message-from-Merck-Foundation-CEO-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-20261.jpg-100x100.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/APO-Main_Message-from-Merck-Foundation-CEO-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-20261.jpg.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>We mark\u00a0<strong>International Women\u2019s Day 2026<\/strong>, Together with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, Ambassadors of our\u00a0<strong>\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Campaign<\/strong>, and our partners, by reinforcing our 14\u2011year commitment to empowering women and girls through impactful programs.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda9-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda9-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda9-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda9-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda9-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-during-her-visit-to-Uganda9.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>\u00a0Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\">The \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d movement continues to drive change by supporting infertile women through access to information, education, health, and mindset transformation. Empowering women is embedded in all our initiatives, including the&nbsp;<strong>Merck Foundation Scholarships Program, Educating Linda, and our STEM programs.<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-2026-131-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-2026-131-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-2026-131-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-2026-131-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-2026-131-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-2026-131-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-2026-131-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-on-International-Womens-Day-2026-131.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>To date, we have awarded over\u00a0<strong>2,500 scholarships<\/strong>\u00a0in 44 critical medical specialties across 52 countries\u2014nearly\u00a0<strong>1,200 of which (50%) went to women<\/strong>, strengthening their role as future healthcare leaders. We have also provided\u00a0<strong>770 scholarships<\/strong>\u00a0dedicated to advancing women\u2019s health, including reproductive and fertility care.<\/p><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\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-visit-to-Uganda5-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-visit-to-Uganda5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-visit-to-Uganda5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-visit-to-Uganda5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-visit-to-Uganda5-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-visit-to-Uganda5-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-visit-to-Uganda5.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>\u00a0Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO during their visit to Uganda.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p>Through the&nbsp;<strong>Educating Linda Program<\/strong>, we have supported&nbsp;<strong>over 1,200 underprivileged schoolgirls<\/strong>&nbsp;from 19 African countries this year, enabling them to continue their education and pursue their dreams. Our STEM initiatives and the MARS Awards further empower African women researchers and promote their contribution to science and technology.<\/p><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\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20254-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20254-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20254-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20254-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20254-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20254-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20254.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia during the MFFLI SUMMIT 2025<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p>We also advocate for girls\u2019 education through creative storytelling, TV program, songs, and animation films, inspiring communities to invest in the future of young women.<\/p><p>It is all about giving every woman the dignity, opportunity, and support she deserves\u2014to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child.<\/p><p>Wishing you all a Happy Women\u2019s Day.<\/p><p><strong>Kind Regards,<br>Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.)<br>CEO of Merck Foundation<br>President, \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Campaign<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Watch Episodes of \u201cOur Africa\u201d focused on Supporting Girl Education:<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Episode 2<\/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.2: Ending Child Marriage &amp; Supporting Girl Education\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g5wpzOr22l0?start=1&#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 class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Episode 11<\/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. 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>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We mark\u00a0International Women\u2019s Day 2026, Together with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, Ambassadors of our\u00a0\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Campaign, and our partners, by reinforcing our 14\u2011year commitment to empowering women and girls through impactful programs. \u00a0Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda. The \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d movement continues to drive [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8166,"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":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-message"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on marking International Women\u2019s Day 2026 | 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=8165\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on marking International Women\u2019s Day 2026 | Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We mark\u00a0International Women\u2019s Day 2026, Together with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, Ambassadors of our\u00a0\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Campaign, and our partners, by reinforcing our 14\u2011year commitment to empowering women and girls through impactful programs. \u00a0Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda. 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