The philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, Merck Foundation, broadcast the twelfth episode of its television program, “Our Africa by Merck Foundation,” on Saturday, July 2, 2022, on KTN in Kenya, repeated every Wednesday at 6:30 pm, and on Sunday, July 3, on NTV in Uganda, repeated every Thursday at 4 pm. Every Sunday at 1:30 pm, the television program is repeated on Ghana’s GH One TV.
The crucial issue of “Women Empowerment” is covered in the twelfth episode of “Our Africa by Merck Foundation.
“The importance of early detection and prevention of diabetes, breaking the stigma surrounding infertility, supporting girl education, promoting a healthy lifestyle, ending female genital mutilation (FGM), Coronavirus Health Awareness, sustainability and up-cycled fashion, and gender-based violence were all topics covered in previous episodes of the show (GBV).
The TV show has received positive reviews from viewers in the three countries as well as from social media users in Africa and beyond.
Sen. Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted the pan-African television program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation,” which featured renowned African fashion designers, singers, and experts from various fields in an effort to increase awareness and foster a cultural shift throughout Africa. Brian Mulondo, a Ugandan, is a co-host of the program.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, said, “First of all, I’d like to thank all of our viewers for the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve been receiving for ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation.
I’m thrilled to present to you the twelfth installment of this fascinating and educational television program that you all adore.
The twelfth episode of the television program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” is about “Women Empowerment.
“I am certain that investing in the economic empowerment of women creates a clear path to achieving gender equality, the end of poverty, and inclusive economic growth.
Through the Merck Foundation’s “Fashion and Art with Purpose” network, we have addressed the extremely delicate subject of women’s empowerment.
I firmly believe that media, fashion, and art should serve purposes beyond mere amusement and aesthetic appeal and can help spread awareness of social and political issues affecting the continent, such as diabetes awareness, ending child marriage, ending FGM, ending GBV, supporting girl education, and women’s empowerment.
We wish to address and raise awareness about a wide range of debilitating social and health issues that are pertinent to Africa by interacting with youth and other members of urban and rural communities across the continent through our initiatives, continued Dr. Rasha Kelej.
The following TV channels carry the program “Our African by Merck Foundation”: – Every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (EAT) on Kenya’s KTN; repeats at 6:30 a.m. (EAT)
– On NTV Uganda every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (EAT), with a repeat at 4:00 p.m. (EAT)
– Every Sunday at 2 PM (GMT) on GH One TV in Ghana; rerun at 1 PM (GMT) on Monday (GMT)
Here is a link to the “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” promotional video.
Wezi Afro-Soul Singer, Songwriter Advocate and Humanitarian, Zambia; Dr. Sabrina Devi Ramamy Iranah, Director of Fashion and Design Institute, Mauritius; and Prince Akpah, Founder & Managing Director, Avance Media, Ghana are among the guests on the twelfth episode of “Our Africa by Merck Foundation.
“Dasheena Deena Appaddo and Desire Cedric Vincent, two Mauritius-based fashion designers, exhibited their creations in this episode, which carried powerful and timely themes about women’s emancipation.
Senator, Dr. Rasha added, “At the Merck Foundation, empowering girls and women is ingrained in our DNA.
Through our programs like the “More Than a Mother” Campaign, “Educating Linda,” “Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement,” and “Merck Foundation STEM,” we collaborate closely with our ambassadors, African First Ladies, to empower women and girls.
The “More Than a Mother” campaign of the Merck Foundation is a powerful initiative that strives to empower women who are struggling with infertility by providing them with access to information, education, a mindset shift, and economic opportunity.
Together with the African First Ladies, Merck Foundation has given more than 590 scholarships to female doctors for critical and underserved specialties, particularly those that are related to women’s health and reproductive health, such as fertility specialty, embryology, and sexual & reproductive care, as well as other specialties like oncology, diabetes, endocrinology, respiratory care, intensive care, preventive cardiology, and many more.
This is out of a total of 1334 scholarships.
To put a number on all of our efforts to improve access to better women’s health, Senator Rasha Kelej stated, “I am proud that we have provided more than 400 scholarships to doctors (177 female and 228 male doctors) from 39 countries, with the goal of advancing women’s health by enhancing the capacity of reproductive and sexual health care and fertility care in Africa and beyond.
Additionally, Merck Foundation assists women without children in starting their own small companies.
Giving every woman the respect and encouragement she needs to live a fulfilling life, whether or not she has children, is what it all comes down to. “In addition, we taught more than 2200 media representatives from more than 35 countries to speak up for the voiceless and to increase public awareness of issues like eliminating child marriage, combating gender-based violence, promoting girl education, and empowering women.
According to Senator Dr. Rasha, “We have also announced awards for media, fashion designers, filmmakers, and musicians/singers in conjunction with African First Ladies to raise awareness through their creative work about these crucial social and health challenges.
Education, in the opinion of the Merck Foundation, is one of the most important aspects of women’s empowerment.
Through their “Educating Linda” program, the Merck Foundation and African First Ladies have helped many talented but underprivileged African girls further their education by offering scholarships, allowing them to realize their potential and follow their ambitions.
In order to honor and recognize the “Best African Women Researchers” and the “Best Young African Researcher,” the Merck Foundation has also established the MARS Awards. The objective is to promote the research ability of young African academics, particularly women, and to highlight their contributions to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Additionally, the Merck Foundation has published numerous motivational children’s books and more than 25 songs in English, French, and Portuguese that focus on eradicating the stigma associated with infertility, promoting girls’ education, and empowering women.
“I can’t wait to share with you all the next episodes of the television program ‘OUR AFRICA by Merck Foundation. Dr. Rasha Kelej, a senator, said, “So stay tuned and get ready to get informed, get healthy, and get delighted!