The 5th Edition of “Merck Africa Asia Luminary”, an initiative of  Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck Germany was held recently in Dakar, Senegal. It was presided over by The President of The Republic of Senegal, H.E. MACKY SALL  and in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Senegal.

CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej remarked, “I am very proud that many First Ladies have partnered with Merck Foundation and accepted to be the Ambassadors of our unique and  historic

campaign “Merck more than a Mother” to empower infertile women and eliminate the stigma around infertility in their countries”.

The First Ladies of Senegal, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa Republic, Ghana, Chad, Zambia, Sierra Leone and Niger all pledged their support for the initiative during the opening ceremony of the Merck

Africa Asia Luminary 2018.

The First Ladies also discussed the strategy to build healthcare capacity in the fields of cancer, infertility, diabetes and hypertension in their respective countries in partnership with Merck Foundation.

The First Lady of Botswana, H.E. Neo Jane Masisi, emphasized, “This campaign is very critical for my country and for Africa at large. I am fully supporting this initiative as the First Lady of Botswana. I firmly

believe in the importance to empower infertile women, who are mistreated and discriminated against in many cultures for not being able to have children and start a family”.

The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Denise Nkurunziza said, “Thanks to Merck Foundation for this unique campaign. It is the first time we have an initiative that empowers infertile women and

takes care of them”.

Reacting to the development, the First Lady of Chad, H.E. Hinda Deby Itno said, “Through this platform, together with all other ambassadors we can create a culture shift across Africa to empower childless women by creating awareness and a cultural shift”.

On her part, the First Lady of Ghana, H.E. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo said, “I along with Rebecca Foundation will work closely with Merck Foundation to empower women and adolescents; we will tell women to value themselves, as they are more than just mothers, they are productive members of the society.”

Merck More Than a Mother’ campaign help fight discrimination and stigma against women who suffer from infertility by empowering such women through the access to information, health, change of mindsets and economic empowerment.