Merck Foundation CEO Dr. Rasha Kelej Celebrates 6 Years of Transformative Social Change Through ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ Community
The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, commemorates World Art Day 2026 by celebrating the six-year anniversary of its Pan-African initiative, “Art and Fashion with Purpose.” This community, founded by Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, aims to leverage the power of art and fashion to tackle pressing health and social issues across Africa and beyond.
A Commitment to Social Change
Dr. Rasha Kelej, a recognized leader and one of the 100 Most Influential Africans from 2019 to 2025, expressed her enthusiasm for the occasion. She emphasized the role of art, fashion, and media as vital tools for raising awareness about critical social and health issues. The “Fashion and Art with Purpose” community, initiated in 2020, has focused on various important topics, including breaking the stigma surrounding infertility, promoting girls’ education, ending female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, combating gender-based violence, empowering women, and raising awareness about diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
The community now boasts talented members from over 25 countries, showcasing a collective commitment to fostering positive social change.
Innovative Media Initiatives
Among its many initiatives, the Merck Foundation has launched the pan-African television program, “Our Africa by Merck Foundation.” This unique platform highlights critical issues across the continent, featuring voices from the “Fashion and Art with Purpose” community. The program, conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Dr. Kelej, aims to raise awareness and drive cultural shifts by showcasing African fashion designers, musicians, and experts from various fields. It has garnered significant attention, resonating with millions of viewers across Africa.
“Our Africa” is broadcast on major television networks and is actively promoted through Dr. Kelej’s and the Merck Foundation’s social media channels.
Annual Awards to Recognize Talent
In partnership with the First Ladies of Africa, the Merck Foundation annually announces eight significant awards focused on media, fashion design, filmmaking, and music. These awards are categorized under two themes: addressing social issues such as infertility stigma, girls’ education, and gender-based violence, and promoting healthy lifestyles while raising awareness about diabetes and hypertension.
Entries for the 2026 awards can be submitted via email, further encouraging participation from emerging talents across the continent.
Empowering Artists and Communities
The “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community includes many winners from the Merck Foundation’s annual awards in fashion, film, and music. Dr. Kelej highlighted the recognition of 175 exceptional talents from 25 countries, who have become integral members of this community. These winners utilize their platforms to spark meaningful conversations and challenge societal norms regarding sensitive health and social issues.
The 175 awardees comprise 102 fashion winners, 53 song winners, and 20 film winners, selected for their creativity and impact. They represent a diverse array of nations, including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, and many others.
Community Awareness Programs
In addition to the awards, the Merck Foundation has produced over 30 songs in collaboration with various African artists, addressing critical issues such as infertility stigma, women’s empowerment, and diabetes awareness. These songs are available in multiple languages, including English, French, and Portuguese, making them accessible to a broader audience.
The foundation has also launched nine children’s storybooks in five languages—English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili. These storybooks have been adapted into six awareness animation films, designed to reach communities and promote understanding of important social issues.
To access the songs, storybooks, and animation films produced by the Merck Foundation, interested individuals can follow the provided links.
Conclusion
The Merck Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving health and social outcomes through innovative initiatives and partnerships. By harnessing the power of art and fashion, the foundation aims to create lasting change in communities across Africa.
For more information, visit the Merck Foundation website.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-05-18 20:54:00 • By the Editorial Desk
