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Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com) CEO, Rasha Kelej, featured in the list of 100 Most Influential Africans, released by New African Magazine, for poignant \u201cMerck More Than a Mother\u201d Movement; The campaign has been empowering childless women across Africa and Asia. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Merck Foundation CEO, Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President, Merck More Than a Mother<\/strong> has been featured in the list of 100 Most Influential African 2019<\/strong>, released by New African Magazine\u00a0https:\/\/bit.ly\/348FylD.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Rasha Kelej has been recognized for her efforts to empower women in general and infertile women in particular through the \u201cMerck More Than a Mother\u201d campaign, which is a historic movement that aims to empower childless and infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Rasha Kelej<\/strong>, who hails from Egypt, commenting on her inclusion, emphasized, \u201cI am thrilled and honored to receive this recognition and to be included in this prestigious list among such an eminent group of people. As an African and an Egyptian woman, I strongly feel the need to empower girls and women, to be able to help them reach their true potential. Through our Merck Mother Than a Mother Campaign, we have always strived to bring a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility on all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses, in addition to empowering girls in Education and women in STEM fields. It\u2019s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n She added, \u201cthis recognition will motivate me to do more. It is my turn now to empower other women in my beautiful continent, I promise to use my influence and experience to support women and girls as much as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n H.E. PROF. GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA, The First Lady of Malawi and Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother<\/strong> said, \u201cCongratulations to Dr Rasha for this recognition, she deserves it. We will continue to support our people. Africa needs women like her who are able to mentor others\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Hon. Sarah Opendi, Minister of Health of Uganda<\/strong> said, \u201cI would like to congratulate our adored Sister and distinguished global leader, Dr. Rasha Kelej upon this well-deserved achievement. She has beyond description worked hard to get on this list; serving Africa and the African People with honor, dignity, diligence and distinction. You make us ALL PROUD, Dr. Rasha\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The list includes 100 personalities from various African countries, and from various fields like political, economic, social and sports. It includes many other prominent personalities of Africa like, Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.<\/i><\/p>\n Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:<\/strong> About \u2018Merck More Than a Mother\u2019 campaign<\/em><\/strong>;<\/strong> With \u201cMerck More than a mother\u201d, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility on all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It\u2019s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Ambassadors of \u201cMerck More Than a Mother\u201d are: <\/strong><\/p>\n H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. ISAURA FERR\u00c3O NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n H.E DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The First Lady of Burundi<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. COND\u00c9 DJENE, The First Lady of Guinea Conakry<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. CLAR WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E A\u00cfSSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADO, The First Lady of Niger<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n H.E. HINDA DEBY ITNO, The First Lady of Chad<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. PROFESSOR GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA, The First Lady of Malawi<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E FATIMA MAADA, The First Lady of Sierra Leone<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n H.E. ANTOINETTE SASSOU-NGUESSO, The First Lady of Congo Brazzaville<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. DR. MAESAIAH THABANE, The First Lady of Lesotho<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGW, The First Lady of Zimbabwe<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. KE\u00cfTA AMINATA MAIGA, The First Lady of Mali<\/p>\n<\/td>\n H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Merck Foundation provided for more than 140 candidates, three months to six months clinical and practical training for fertility specialists and embryologists in more than 35 countries across Africa and Asia such as: Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, CAR, Cote D’IVOIRE, DRC, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malaysia, Liberia, Mali, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Niger, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, The Gambia, Togo, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia & Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n Merck Foundation is making history in many African countries where they never had fertility specialists or specialized fertility clinics before \u2018Merck More Than a Mother\u2019 intervention, to train the first fertility specialists such as; in Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Niger, Chad, Guinea, Ethiopia and Uganda.\u00a0<\/p>\n Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck more than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAPAIGN, such as;<\/p>\n About Merck Foundation:<\/strong> About Merck:<\/strong>
\nH. E. NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO<\/strong>, The President of Ghana was re-appointed as the Co-Chair of Sustainable Development Goals Advocate Group by UN Secretary General;
\nH.E. Paul Kagame<\/strong>, The President of Rwanda for his sheer dynamism and the impact his decisions have on other countries;
\nMohamed \u2018Mo\u2019 Salah<\/strong>, Football Player from Egypt, for showcasing extra ordinary talent in the game. He has so many followers that he no longer belongs to Liverpool or for that matter, Egypt \u2013 he belongs to the world;
\nAlaa Salah<\/strong>, an activist from Sudan who is called \u2018Lady Liberty\u2019, one of the iconic symbols of Sudan Uprising;
\nSiya Kolisi<\/strong>, Captain of South African Rugby team came from a desperately poor beginning, his parents could not afford basic school fees, let alone his rugby kit. Fast forward 2019….he is the World Cup Champions Captain;
\nEliud Kipchoge<\/strong>, from Kenya who has been crowned as Male Athlete of The Year by World Athletics;
\nAmina J. Mohammed<\/strong>, Deputy Secretary General, United Nations is one of the most respected female figures in the world today for her determination to advance poverty eradication, gender equality and inclusive development in a peaceful world.
\nThando Hopa,<\/strong> born with Albinism, this activist, model and professional lawyer from South Africa became a powerful voice and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the beauty and fashion industry, among others.<\/p>\n
\nFacebook:\u00a0bit.ly\/2MmUl3p<\/a>
\nTwitter:\u00a0bit.ly\/2NDqHLR<\/a>
\nYouTube:\u00a0bit.ly\/318obQe<\/a>
\nInstagram:\u00a0bit.ly\/2MtCKsu<\/a>
\nFlicker:\u00a0bit.ly\/2P7AICN<\/a>
\nWebsite:\u00a0Merck-Foundation.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u201cMerck More Than a Mother\u201d is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe and effective fertility care. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention, management and male infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for fertility specialists and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\nThe Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.\u00a0Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation<\/a> (www.Merck-Foundation.com), Facebook<\/a> (https:\/\/bit.ly\/347DsTd), Twitter<\/a> (https:\/\/bit.ly\/2REHwaK), Instagram<\/a>\u00a0(https:\/\/bit.ly\/2t3E0fX),\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0(https:\/\/bit.ly\/2E05GVg) and Flicker<\/a> (https:\/\/bit.ly\/2RJjWtH).<\/p>\n
\nFounded in 1668, Merck (www.MerckGroup.com) is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Almost 53,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life \u2013 from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2017, Merck generated sales of \u20ac 15.3 billion in 66 countries.<\/p>\n