{"id":9455,"date":"2025-12-01T10:28:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T06:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=9455"},"modified":"2026-04-22T14:50:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T10:50:02","slug":"message-from-dr-rasha-kelej-ceo-of-merck-foundation-on-marking-day-for-elimination-of-violence-against-women-2025-through-their-more-than-a-mother-campaign-and-educating-linda-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=9455","title":{"rendered":"Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on marking \u2018Day for Elimination of Violence against Women 2025\u2019 through their More Than a Mother Campaign and Educating Linda Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We at Merck Foundation mark the \u201cInternational Day of Elimination of Violence against Women 2025\u201d,\u00a0<\/strong>together with\u00a0The First Ladies of Africa and Asia, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother\u00a0<\/strong>through our\u00a0\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Campaign and\u00a0\u201cEducating Linda\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0program. Through these programs, we conduct impactful community awareness initiatives aimed at addressing Gender-Based Violence, Empowering Women and Girls at all levels, and Supporting Girl Education.<\/p>

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At Merck Foundation, we are deeply committed to raising awareness about the elimination of violence against women and girls through our various impactful community awareness initiatives that include children storybooks and their adapted animation films, inspiring songs, and many episodes of our TV program \u201cOur Africa\u201d, that has been broadcast on national TV stations across Africa.<\/p>

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Through our\u00a0\u2018More Than a Mother\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0campaign, we are breaking the infertility stigma. Infertile women are often subjected to discrimination, social isolation, and in many cases, violence. By breaking this stigma and shifting mindsets, we aim to protect their rights, restore their dignity, and create a more compassionate and equitable society.<\/p>

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Our\u00a0\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0is a powerful campaign that defines interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility.<\/p>

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Moreover, I firmly believe that education is one of the strongest drivers of women\u2019s empowerment. When women and girls are educated, they gain the confidence, opportunities, and protection needed to break cycles of violence and build stronger futures. Therefore, through our\u00a0\u2018Educating Linda\u2019\u00a0<\/strong>program, we are providing annual scholarships to more than\u00a01,000 underprivileged but deserving schoolgirls<\/strong>\u00a0from\u00a018 countries<\/strong>, enabling them to continue their education, and reach their full potential.<\/p>

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Through our pan African TV program \u201cOur Africa\u201d,<\/strong> that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by me, <\/strong>we are raising awareness about like Stopping GBV, Ending FGM, Breaking Infertility Stigma, Women Empowerment and Supporting Girl Education, through many dedicated episodes dedicated to issues. The show features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness about social and health issues.<\/p>

Watch the Episode on Stopping GBV<\/strong> here:<\/p>

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