Merck Foundation Health Media Training provided for African Media to raise awareness about Breaking Infertility Stigma and Supporting Girl Education during the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, Chairperson of MFFLI Summit, and President of 'More Than a Mother' campaign, emphasized, 'I strongly believe that media has the power to shape mindsets and create a culture shift. Journalists can drive real change through their daily reporting by raising awareness about critical social and health issues—such as breaking the stigma of infertility, promoting girls' education, ending child marriage, stopping gender-based violence, and encouraging early detection and prevention of diabetes and hypertension.'
Watch the Merck Foundation Health Media Training session here: https://apo-opa.co/4of6471
The Merck Foundation Health Media Training is a part of 'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Community Awareness Program. Since 2017, Merck Foundation has provided their Health Media Training for more than 3,700 media representatives from 35 countries in Africa.
During the 7 th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit, two important occasions were marked; the 8 th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 13 years of Merck Foundation's development programs that started in 2012.
On the Day 1, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative -MFFLI Summit took place, featuring a high-level panel discussion with the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia. Moreover, a high-level panel discussion was held with African Ministers and top healthcare experts from across the globe.
Link to Live Stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025: https://apo-opa.co/45pDNDo
During the Day 2 of the conference, two Medical and Scientific Sessions on Oncology and Diabetes&Hypertension also took place.
During the 7th Edition of MFFLI Summit, the Call for Applications for 8 annual Merck Foundation Awards in partnership with African and Asian First Ladies were announced for best Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and emerging talents.
'I strongly believe that these awards encourage creative storytelling to raise awareness about critical social and health issues. Since 2017, we have been launching these awards together with my esteemed sisters, the African and Asian First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Campaign. I am looking forward to all the entries from young talents for these important awards,' Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej added.
Details of the Awards:
Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: Media representatives and students are invited to showcase work raising awareness about Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV.
Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
Merck Foundation Film Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: African filmmakers, film students, and young talents are invited to create long or short films (drama, documentary, or docudrama) addressing Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: African fashion students and designers are invited to create designs delivering impactful messages on Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV.
Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
Merck Foundation Song Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2025: African singers and musical artists are invited to create songs addressing Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV. Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': Media representatives are invited to showcase work promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Merck Foundation Film Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': African filmmakers, film students, and young talents are invited to create films promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': African fashion students and designers are invited to create designs promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Merck Foundation Song Awards 2025 'Diabetes&Hypertension': African singers and musical artists are invited to create songs promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
Entries for all awards are to be submitted via email to: submit@merck-foundation.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.
Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com
Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/45zG5yX
X: https://apo-opa.co/3IQzzMq
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4l1U9Xu
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3IRmzGi
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4m31SG3
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/40Hpd7C
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3IQFuRC
About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, 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&scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education 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. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/45zG5yX), X (https://apo-opa.co/3IQzzMq), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3IRmzGi), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4l1U9Xu), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4m31SG3) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/40Hpd7C).
The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
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