{"id":9600,"date":"2026-06-02T16:49:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T12:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=9600"},"modified":"2026-06-02T16:57:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T12:57:05","slug":"message-from-dr-rasha-kelej-ceo-of-merck-foundation-on-being-featured-by-vogue-india-for-her-vision-for-women-led-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=9600","title":{"rendered":"Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Being Featured by Vogue India for her Vision for Women-Led Development"},"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\/06\/Main-_-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Main-_-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Main-_-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Main-_-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Main-_-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Main-_-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Main-_-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Main-_-Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have been an avid reader of Vogue, and being featured by&nbsp;<strong>Vogue India<\/strong>, for the second time, is an honour I receive with sincere appreciation. The latest feature, titled&nbsp;<strong>&#8220;Empowering Change: Dr. Rasha Kelej&#8217;s Vision for Women-Led Development,&#8221;<\/strong>&nbsp;reflects the breadth of work and sustained commitment of Merck Foundation towards advancing&nbsp;<strong>women-led development, supporting girls\u2019 education, and empowering communities across Africa and beyond.<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The feature captures a conviction that I strongly believe in: that women do not need to compromise their individuality or femininity to be effective leaders, both can coexist seamlessly.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-2-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9602\" style=\"width:1010px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-2-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-2.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The feature goes on to write about me and my personal style. I truly believe that leadership today is multidimensional \u2014 it is not only about the decisions we make, but also about the way we carry ourselves and represent our mission. For me,\u00a0<em><strong>fashion is a form of communication and self-expression. It defines my style as elegant and carefully curated, reflecting my personality, confidence, and the values I stand for as a woman and as a leader.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-5-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9603\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6666666666666666;width:1010px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-5-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-5-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-5-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-5-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-5.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have shared my learnings and takeaways from my work and journey \u2014 to never give up and always be yourself. Be consistent, persistent, and disciplined, not only in your work commitments and goals, but also in your personal life,<em><strong>\u00a0such as daily exercise, healthy eating, and self-development, to stay relevant. Most importantly, practice daily stress management, which is the key to sustainable high performance.<\/strong><\/em><\/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\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-4-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9604\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-4-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-4-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-4-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-4-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-4.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I was also pleased to share with Vogue the work we are doing together with\u00a0<strong>33 African and Asian First Ladies to empower women and transform lives across Africa and beyond<\/strong>. I have also spoken about my strong commitment to supporting women in healthcare and STEM through Merck Foundation Scholarships Program. Till today, we have provided more than<strong>\u00a02,600 scholarships for healthcare professionals from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialities<\/strong>, with nearly half awarded to women. I strongly believe that by empowering women to become specialists and leaders, we can strengthen healthcare systems and create lasting impact for future generations.<\/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\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirls-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirls-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirls-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirls-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirls-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirls-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirls.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also shared my belief that girls\u2019 education is the foundation of women\u2019s empowerment. Through our\u00a0<strong>\u201cEducating Linda\u201d program<\/strong>, in partnership with the African and Asian First Ladies, we are providing<strong>\u00a01,500 scholarships annually to underprivileged schoolgirls from 21 countries<\/strong>, helping them continue their education, achieve their potential, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"529\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-1024x529.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-1024x529.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-300x155.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-768x396.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-1536x793.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-600x310.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The feature also captures the purpose behind creating the&nbsp;<strong>\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d campaign<\/strong>, which I launched to empower women suffering from infertility stigma through access to information, education, health, and a change in mindset.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also shared that meaningful change requires a cultural shift, hence I use creative platforms such as music, animation, storybooks, fashion, and media initiatives to raise awareness about important social and health issues.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I invite you to read the full article&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vogue.in\/promotion\/empowering-change-dr-rasha-kelejs-vision-for-women-led-development\">here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kind Regards<br>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.)<br>CEO of Merck Foundation<br>President of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Campaign<\/strong><\/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\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9607\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-600x600.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1-100x100.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-1.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-3-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9608\" style=\"width:1010px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-3-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-3-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-3-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-3-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dr_-Rasha-Kelej-Picture-3.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/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\/06\/Additional-Image-1-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9609\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-1-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-1.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, First Lady of the Central African Republic and H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, First Lady of The Gambia.<\/strong><\/em><\/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\/06\/Additonal-Image-2-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additonal-Image-2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additonal-Image-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additonal-Image-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additonal-Image-2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additonal-Image-2-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additonal-Image-2.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with H.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOUREN\u00c7O, First Lady of Angola, H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, First Lady of Gabon and H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, First Lady of S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-3-683x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9611\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6666666666666666;width:1010px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-3-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-3-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-3-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-3-600x900.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-3.jpeg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with H.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, First Lady of Mozambique, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, First Lady of The Gambia and H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, First Lady of Nigeria.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-4-683x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9612\" style=\"width:1010px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-4-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-4-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-4-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-4-600x900.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-4.jpeg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, First Lady of S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe and H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO, First Lady of Cabo Verde.<\/strong><\/em><\/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\/06\/Additional-Image-5-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-5-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-5-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-5-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-5-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-5-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-5.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, First Lady of Burundi and H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, First Lady of Senegal<\/strong><\/em>.<\/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\/06\/Additional-Image-6-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-6-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-6-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-6-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-6-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-6-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Additional-Image-6.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, First Lady of The Gambia, H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, First Lady of Gabon, H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, First Lady of the Central African Republic and H.E. Madam SAJIDHA MOHAMED, First Lady of Maldives.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I have been an avid reader of Vogue, and being featured by&nbsp;Vogue India, for the second time, is an honour I receive with sincere appreciation. The latest feature, titled&nbsp;&#8220;Empowering Change: Dr. Rasha Kelej&#8217;s Vision for Women-Led Development,&#8221;&nbsp;reflects the breadth of work and sustained commitment of Merck Foundation towards advancing&nbsp;women-led development, supporting girls\u2019 education, and empowering [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9601,"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-9600","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 Being Featured by Vogue India for her Vision for Women-Led Development | 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=9600\" \/>\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 Being Featured by Vogue India for her Vision for Women-Led Development | Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I have been an avid reader of Vogue, and being featured by&nbsp;Vogue India, for the second time, is an honour I receive with sincere appreciation. 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