Merck Foundation CEO Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej Strengthens Girl Education as Key to Women Empowerment
The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women and girls through education. This initiative is spearheaded by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the foundation, in collaboration with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, who serve as ambassadors for the “More Than a Mother” campaign. This campaign emphasizes the importance of girl education as a cornerstone of women’s empowerment, marking over 14 years of dedicated efforts in this area.
Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
Dr. Kelej highlighted that empowering women and girls is integral to the foundation’s mission. She stated that this focus shapes their vision and guides their various programs. Over the past 14 years, the foundation has launched several initiatives, including the “More Than a Mother” campaign, the “Merck Foundation Scholarships Program,” “Educating Linda,” and the “STEM Program.” These programs aim to provide women and girls with the necessary tools and resources to thrive.
The “More Than a Mother” movement specifically targets infertile and childless women, providing them with access to education, healthcare, and information to shift societal mindsets regarding infertility.
Transformative Educational Initiatives
The Merck Foundation has made significant strides in transforming the healthcare landscape across Africa and Asia. To date, it has awarded over 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries, covering 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. Nearly 50% of these scholarships have been awarded to women medical graduates, empowering them to become future leaders in healthcare.
Additionally, the foundation has provided over 800 scholarships aimed at enhancing women’s health, particularly in reproductive and sexual health, and fertility care.
Dr. Kelej emphasized the critical role of education in women’s empowerment. As part of the “Educating Linda” program, the foundation has awarded more than 1,400 scholarships to underprivileged African schoolgirls from 21 countries, enabling them to complete their education and realize their full potential.
Promoting STEM and Research Excellence
The Merck Foundation is also committed to empowering women in science and technology through its STEM Program. This initiative includes the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions from African women researchers and young scholars. Dr. Kelej noted that the goal is to enhance research capacity and promote the contributions of women and young researchers in STEM fields.
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 awards also address critical issues such as breaking the stigma surrounding infertility, ending female genital mutilation and child marriage, and combating gender-based violence.
The foundation is actively promoting the importance of supporting girls’ education through various creative initiatives. These include children’s storybooks, animated films, awareness songs, and dedicated episodes on its “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” TV program.
Engaging the Public
To further engage the public, the Merck Foundation has released several episodes focusing on supporting girl education. Notable episodes include:
Additionally, the foundation has produced a storybook titled “Educating Linda,” which can be accessed here.
The foundation also encourages listening to songs that promote women’s empowerment and girl education, featuring artists from various African countries. Some of these songs include:
- “Girls Can” by Cwesi Oteng and Irene Logan
- “Like Them” by Kenneth
- “Take Me to School” by Wezi
- “Tu Podes Sim” by Blaze and Tamyris Moiane
- “ABC, 123” by Sean K
- “Brighter Day” by Sean K and Cwesi Oteng
- “Superwoman Song” by Cwezi and Adina
About Merck Foundation
Established in 2017, the Merck Foundation aims to improve health and well-being through science and technology. Its focus areas include enhancing access to quality healthcare, building research capacity, and empowering girls in education and STEM fields, particularly for women and youth. The foundation maintains a neutral stance on political matters and collaborates with various partners to achieve its humanitarian goals.
For more information, visit the Merck Foundation website.
Read all the latest developments and breaking updates in the Latest News section.
Published on 2026-05-11 20:07:00 • By the Editorial Desk
