The philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, The Merck Foundation, has assured an increase in its support and empowerment to women and young adolescent in Africa and beyond, who have challenges related to fertility and other reproductive issues.

The Foundation said the promise was part of its commitment to things that would improve the fortunes and general well-being of women particularly less privileged and vulnerable women in low- income communities in Africa and beyond.

According to a statement by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, on the commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD).

Senator Keleh said that Merck Foundation is using their “More Than a Mother” programme that was launched in 2016 to empower women living with fertility challenges through access to information, health and change of mindset.

She said: “Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’ programme is a powerful campaign that define interventions to build quality and equitable reproductive and fertility care capacity, break infertility stigma and raise awareness about infertility prevention and male infertility.

“I am happy that Merck Foundation is contributing to the building and advancing fertility care capacity in Africa and Asia, to support childless women and couples. I am very proud to share that we have provided over 545 scholarships of embryology, fertility and reproductive care to young doctors from 39 different countries.

“Many of our Alumni have been trained to be the first local experts in their countries, where there were never local embryologists or fertility specialists before our programme. The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo and more, are some of such places.

“Together with African First Ladies, and other important partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility and reproductive care across Africa and beyond.”

Dr. Kelej said that as a part of the “More Than a Mother” campaign, Merck Foundation launched initiatives to break stigma and create a culture shift, thus empowering “childless and infertile” women through the “empowering Berna” initiative under the “More Than a Mother” movement.

She further explained that the initiative has helped women who could not be treated for infertility by getting them trained to establish small businesses so they can be independent and rebuild their lives.

“Through ‘Empowering Berna’, the lives of many ‘infertile’ women have been transformed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi, and many more.

“It’s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling
life, with or without a child. Merck Foundation has also trained more than 3000 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness, and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women,” she said.

She, thus congratulated women all over the world for the commitment to the growth and development of the society, reassuring them of more support and encouragement from Merck Foundation.

Source: Daily Sun