Merck Foundation and Gambia First Lady Conducted the First Health Media Training to Break Infertility Stigma and Support Girl Education

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Banjul, The Gambia Business Wire India Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany organized their first Merck Foundation Health Media Training via Videoconference on 15th December 2021 in partnership with H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother for The Gambian media.The objective of the training was to teach the media representatives on how to play a significant role in addressing sensitive social and health issues such as breaking Infertility Stigma, ending Child Marriage, FGM, GBV and support Girl Education.

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India & Banjul, The Gambia – Business Wire India Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany organized their first "Merck Foundation Health Media Training" via Videoconference on 15th December 2021 in partnership with H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother for The Gambian media.

"The objective of the training was to teach the media representatives on how to play a significant role in addressing sensitive social and health issues such as breaking Infertility Stigma, ending Child Marriage, FGM, GBV and support Girl Education. Moreover, in the given unprecedented times, enabling them to raise awareness about coronavirus and the best health prevention practices during this global pandemic," explained Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.

"I have always emphasized on the prominent role of media as I strongly believe that media has the capacity and ability to create a culture shift and to break the silence and be the voice of the voiceless through their day-to-day work," Dr. Rasha Kelej added.

The Merck Foundation Health Media Training is a part of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' community awareness Program and was chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej and addressed by the stalwarts of the media industry and infertility experts. It was attended by Gambian journalists working for Print, TV, Radio, and Online media and journalism students.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej stated, "I recently met my dear sister and our long-term partner, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, to discuss our programs. I am proud that till end of 2021, we have provided 34 scholarships to young Gambian doctors in various medical specialties like Fertility & Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Respiratory, Acute Medicines, Neonatal Medicine and more. Together we are making history by providing specialty training for the first Fertility specialist, Embryologists, oncologists, diabetes, respiratory care, intensive care, and neonatal medicine specialists in the country. This is a huge achievement and history in the making." Moreover, through 'Educating Linda' program, Merck Foundation work towards empowering girls in education by supporting education of 20 underprivileged but brilliant schoolgirls.

Merck Foundation provides 3,000 sets of essential school items for girls' schools. Each of the recipients get a set containing 1 Ruler, 3 Pencils, 2 Erasers, 1 Sharpener, 1 Pen, 6 Color Pencils, 1 Triangular Ruler, 1 Protractor, and 1 Fabric Bag.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia has launched three children storybooks titled: "Musa's Story" to emphasize on the strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and resulted domestic violence in the future, "Educating Mariam Story" to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education and "Make the Right Choice Story" to raise awareness about coronavirus prevention amongst children and youth as it provides facts about the pandemic and how to stay safe and healthy during the outbreak. 30,000 copies of the three storybooks have been distributed to young readers, school students of The Gambia.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The Gambia First Lady has also launched an empowering song to break the stigma around infertility in Africa and the rest of the world as part of 'More Than a Mother' community awareness campaign. The song urges men to support their wives during the treatment journey of building a family and delivers an important message 'Fertility is a Shared Responsibility'. It has been written and composed by Sunita, a young female artist from The Gambia.

Link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb0SEqMO0Sc&t=69s Moreover, together with The Gambia First Lady, Merck Foundation had launched 6 important Awards for Media, Fashion, Film, and Music fraternity to raise awareness on the important topics of breaking the stigma around infertility, underscoring the importance of girls' education & women empowerment at all levels. Two Coronavirus theme-based awards were also announced for Media and Fashion fraternity, with the aim to raise awareness about continuing the best practices and also show support to our frontline workers in the country and the rest of Africa. The winners of the awards will be announced soon.

Earlier, Alieu Ceesay from QTV was announced as the First Position winner from the online category of the "Stay at Home" Media Recognition Awards 2020 from the West Africa region.

About 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' campaign "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" 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, effective and equitable fertility care solutions. 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.

With "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother", we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at 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's all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. The Ambassadors of "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" are: H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, THE First Lady of Democratic Republic of Congo H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique H.E. SIKA KABORE, The First Lady of Burkina Faso H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana H.E. AISHA BUHARI, The First Lady of Nigeria H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic H.E. CLAR WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia H.E FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone H.E. ANTOINETTE SASSOU-NGUESSO, The First Lady of Congo Brazzaville H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe The Former First Lady of Burundi, H.E DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The Former First Lady of Chad, H.E. HINDA DÉBY ITNO, The Former First Lady of Malawi, H.E. PROFESSOR GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA, The Former First Lady of Niger, H.E AÏSSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU and The Former First Lady of Zambia, H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The Former First Lady of Guinea Conakry, H.E. CONDÉ DJENE have worked successfully with Merck Foundation as Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Ambassadors to break the stigma of infertility and empower infertile women in their countries.

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 Foundation More Than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as; • 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training • 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Fashion Awards • 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Film Awards • 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Song Awards • Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it • Children storybook, localized for each country Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.merck.foundation&hl=en Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard Facebook: Merck Foundation Twitter: @Merckfoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Instagram: Merck Foundation Flickr: Merck Foundation Website: www.merck-foundation.com 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 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. Please visit www.merck-foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Flickr.

To View the Image, Click on the Link Below: Senator, Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation during her meeting with H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.

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