Dr. Rasha Kelej and African, Asian First Ladies Strengthen Women’s Empowerment on International Women’s Day 2026 Through Transformative Programs
On International Women’s Day 2026, the Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, alongside First Ladies from Africa and Asia, marked the occasion by highlighting their ongoing commitment to empowering women and girls. This initiative is part of a broader effort that spans over 14 years, focusing particularly on supporting infertile women and promoting girl education.
Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, emphasized that the foundation’s mission to empower women and girls extends beyond a single day. She stated that this commitment is woven into the fabric of their operations, influencing their vision and guiding their various programs. The foundation has celebrated International Women’s Day for 14 consecutive years through actionable initiatives such as the “More Than a Mother” campaign, the Merck Foundation Scholarships Program, the “Educating Linda” initiative, and the STEM Program.
Dr. Kelej expressed her warmest wishes to women and girls globally, encouraging them to rise with confidence and break barriers to realize their full potential.
Programs Supporting Infertile Women
The “More Than a Mother” movement aims to empower women facing infertility by providing access to vital information, education, and healthcare services. This initiative seeks to shift societal mindsets regarding infertility, fostering a supportive environment for affected women.
Transformative Educational Initiatives
The Merck Foundation has significantly impacted healthcare education across Africa and Asia through its Scholarships Program. To date, the foundation has awarded over 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. Notably, approximately 1,200 of these scholarships, nearly 50%, have been granted to women medical graduates, thereby empowering them to become future leaders in healthcare.
Additionally, the foundation has provided over 770 scholarships specifically aimed at young healthcare providers, focusing on enhancing women’s health, reproductive and sexual health, and fertility care capacities.
Dr. Kelej highlighted the importance of education as a cornerstone of women’s empowerment. Under the “Educating Linda” program, the foundation has awarded more than 1,200 annual scholarships to underprivileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, enabling them to complete their education and achieve their aspirations.
Advancing Women in Science and Technology
The Merck Foundation actively promotes women’s participation in science and technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards. These awards recognize outstanding contributions from African women researchers and young scientists, thereby fostering research excellence and enhancing the research capacity of women in STEM fields.
Dr. Kelej reiterated the foundation’s goal to empower women and young African researchers, promoting their contributions to scientific advancements.
Raising Awareness Through Creative Initiatives
In partnership with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, the Merck Foundation has established annual awards in media, song, film, and fashion to raise awareness about women’s empowerment and girl education. These initiatives also address critical issues such as infertility stigma, female genital mutilation, child marriage, and gender-based violence.
The foundation employs various creative methods to promote girls’ education, including children’s storybooks, animation films, and awareness songs. Their television program, “Our Africa by Merck Foundation,” features dedicated episodes focusing on the importance of supporting girls’ education.
Educational Resources and Media Engagement
The foundation has made available several episodes from “Our Africa,” which focus on supporting girl education. These episodes serve as valuable resources for raising awareness about the significance of education for girls.
The Merck Foundation also encourages engagement through music, with songs aimed at promoting women’s empowerment and education. Notable tracks include “Girls Can,” performed by Cwesi Oteng from Ghana and Irene Logan from Liberia, and “Take Me to School,” sung by Wezi from Zambia.
Contact Information and Further Engagement
For further inquiries, Mehak Handa, the Community Awareness Program Manager, can be contacted via phone or email. The Merck Foundation encourages the public to join the conversation on various social media platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and Flickr.
For more information about the Merck Foundation and its initiatives, visit www.zawya.com.
The Merck Foundation remains dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need, focusing on empowering women and youth through education and healthcare initiatives.
