{"id":8922,"date":"2026-04-09T12:20:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:20:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8922"},"modified":"2026-04-09T12:26:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:26:59","slug":"message-from-ceo-of-merck-foundation-senator-dr-rasha-kelej-on-marking-international-day-of-girls-and-women-in-science-by-providing-1050-scholarships-to-women-doctors-to-empower-women-in-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8922","title":{"rendered":"Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej on Marking International Day of Girls and Women in Science by Providing 1,050 Scholarships to Women Doctors to Empower Women in Science"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation\u00a0during the MARS Awards Ceremony.<\/strong><\/p>

We at Merck Foundation mark \u2018International Day of Girls and Women in Science 2025\u2019 by actively supporting and empowering women in Science and Technology.\u00a0<\/strong>While women have made remarkable progress in their careers, they are still significantly underrepresented in these fields. Our mission is to bridge the gender gap and ensure that women have equal opportunities to thrive and lead in science and technology.<\/p>

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In partnership with my dear sisters, African First Ladies, we have been transforming the patient care landscape in Africa by providing medical training to young doctors in many critical medical specialties. Out of the total\u00a02,200+ scholarships<\/strong>\u00a0provided, about\u00a01,050 scholarships<\/strong>\u00a0are for women medical graduates. This is close to\u00a050%<\/strong>\u00a0of the total Merck Foundation Alumni, which is a great milestone for us. Additionally, we have contributed to the future of more than\u00a0700 deserving African girls<\/strong>\u00a0by providing scholarships to continue their education and also providing essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls through our\u00a0\u201cEducating Linda\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0program in many African countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and more.<\/p>

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I am also excited to announce the Call for Applications for our prestigious Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2025<\/strong>. \u2018The Role of Scientific Research in Women\u2019s Health and Reproductive & Fertility Care\u2019<\/em> will be the key focus this year too. Through these awards, Merck Foundation aims to empower women researchers and young African researchers to strengthen the important role research plays in contributing to public health, thus improving healthcare capacity with a special focus on women\u2019s health, infertility, and reproductive health in Africa.<\/p>

MARS 2025 will have scientific support from the African Union Scientific-Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC)<\/strong>, the African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS)<\/strong>, the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS)<\/strong>, and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), India<\/strong>.<\/p>

Details for MARS AWARDS 2025:<\/strong><\/p>