{"id":8870,"date":"2026-04-08T16:43:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8870"},"modified":"2026-04-08T16:52:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:52:18","slug":"message-from-ceo-of-merck-foundation-senator-dr-rasha-kelej-on-marking-international-womens-day-2025-through-their-impactful-development-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8870","title":{"rendered":"Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on Marking International Women\u2019s Day 2025 through Their Impactful Development Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We at Merck Foundation,\u00a0together with African First Ladies, mark Women\u2019s Day every<\/strong>\u00a0day through our impactful development programs, which aim to\u00a0empower women and girls in education, healthcare, and economic independence.\u00a0<\/strong>Empowering girls and women is at the core of all our initiatives and programs at Merck Foundation. I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed, and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realize their capabilities, especially in underserved communities.<\/p>

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Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women\u2019s Day every day since the last 13 years<\/strong><\/em> through our development programs and initiatives such as \u2018More Than a Mother\u2019, \u2018Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement\u2019, \u2018Educating Linda\u2019, and \u2018STEM Program\u2019. <\/strong>“Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset.<\/p>

I am thrilled to share that out of the 2,230 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1,046 scholarships\u2014nearly 50%\u2014have been granted to female medical graduates<\/strong><\/em>, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders. Additionally, we have awarded over 680 scholarships<\/strong> to young doctors dedicated to advancing women\u2019s health by strengthening reproductive, sexual health, and fertility care capacity.<\/p>

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Merck Foundation strongly believes that education is one of the most critical areas of women\u2019s empowerment. Through our \u201cEducating Linda\u201d Program<\/strong>, together with my dear sisters, African First Ladies, we are contributing to the future of over 700 girls by providing scholarships<\/strong> to continue their education and essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Verde, and more.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

Moreover, we have benefited thousands of girls through our awareness campaigns, which include releasing inspiring songs, children\u2019s storybooks, animation films, and TV programs, as well as awards for best media, song, film, and fashion designs<\/strong>\u2014all aimed at promoting girl education today for women\u2019s empowerment tomorrow.<\/p>

Merck Foundation also actively empowers women in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards<\/strong>, which recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence. <\/p>

Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM.<\/p>

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To address the importance of supporting girl education and other social issues, we annually launch awards for best media, song, film, and fashion designs<\/strong>. I invite the African community of media, fashion, filmmaking, and musicians, as well as students and potential talents in these fields, <\/strong>to apply for the awards this year by sharing their creative work on submit@merck-foundation.com.<\/strong><\/p>

It\u2019s all about giving every woman and girl the respect, opportunities, and support they deserve to lead fulfilling and empowered lives.<\/p>

I want to wish everyone a Happy International Women\u2019s Day to all the women in the world and to the men who support and empower them.<\/p>

Kind regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej
CEO of Merck Foundation<\/strong><\/p>

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Watch the Episodes of \u201cOur Africa by Merck Foundation\u201d TV program on Supporting Girl Education:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

Episode 2:<\/strong><\/p>

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