Third Episode of “Our Africa By Merck Foundation” TV Show to Break the Infertility Stigma
Grover C. Magnus
1 min read
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, launched the third episode of its TV show: “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” on Saturday, April 30, 2022 on KTN, Kenya, and on Sunday May 1 on NTV, Uganda. The third episode of the TV show tackled a sensitive subject: breaking the stigma of infertility around women. The TV show has received great feedback from viewers of these channels and social media followers.
Check out the promo for the third episode here: https://bit.ly/3KRNrkN
Watch the third episode here: https://bit.ly/3FqmFyL
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, Executive Director of Merck Foundation, said, “I am particularly excited about the airing of the third episode of Our Africa from Merck Foundation because the topic we discussed during this episode: Breaking the stigma of infertility, especially around women. who was at the center of our iconic ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign. He also focused on the issue of male infertility and how fertility is a shared responsibility, since it takes both a man and a woman to have a child. We addressed this issue through our Fashion and Art with Purpose community. Together, we can create cultural change that will help our communities better understand and act on different issues. Through this episode, I also had the opportunity to thank my dear sisters, the First Ladies of Africa, with whom I worked very closely with Merck Foundation for this campaign, as ambassadors of the campaign “More Than a Mother” from Merck Foundation.
I also want to thank our viewers for the amazing response we received, it’s really very inspiring and encouraging. Also, I would especially like to thank the love we get from our social media followers, it’s phenomenal.
Merck Foundation’s iconic ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign, initiated and led by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, is a united movement to break the stigma of infertility faced by women across the African continent. . Not only that, Merck Foundation strives to break the stigma of infertility around women but also men, women are more than mothers and men are more than fathers.
“The ‘More than a mother’ campaign is close to my heart. Along with all the initiatives in this campaign, Merck Foundation is also supporting capacity building in healthcare in Africa, that’s why I am happy to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 390 scholarships to doctors from 38 countries, with the aim of promoting women’s health by building capacity in sexual and reproductive care and fertility care in Africa and beyond. Additionally, we have trained over 2,200 media representatives from over 30 countries to raise community awareness, create cultural change and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women,” explained Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej.
This third episode featured notable personalities such as Nontando Mposo, editor of Glamor magazine, South Africa, and popular singer Blaze from Mozambique. Fashion designers Anuja Bharti from Ghana and Alberto from Mozambique showcased their designs with strong messages about #NoToInfertilityStigma and #MenToo can cause infertility.
The episode also featured a song by HE George Weah, the President of the Republic of Liberia, created to support Merck Foundation’s More Than a Mother movement. This song is about encouraging men to support their wives in the process of creating a happy family. Listen and watch the song here: https://bit.ly/3vOaNU4
Merck Foundation has also empowered childless and infertile women through its “Empowering Bern” initiative under the Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” movement. This initiative supports women who can no longer be treated for infertility by helping them train to start small businesses so that they can become independent and rebuild their lives. Thanks to ‘Empowering Bern’, the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in many African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi and many more.
Merck Foundation, in partnership with African First Ladies, has also launched children’s storybooks to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from an early age, which will reflect to the future the stigma of infertility and the resulting domestic violence. Storybooks have been localized for each country to better connect with young readers. David’s story, launched in partnership with African first ladies from over 20 countries, is one such intervention aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding infertile women and raising awareness about infertility prevention and male infertility. Read David’s story here: https://bit.ly/39Bs9e9
Merck Foundation has also released many songs to raise awareness about the stigma of infertility as part of its More Than a Mother movement. Listen to some of the songs here:
Watch, share and subscribe to ‘More than a MOTHER’ composed and sung by Mrs. Lucky-Lou, the daughter of the President and First Lady of Burundi: https://bit.ly/37kX4e2 Watch, share and subscribe Listen to the song “More Than a Mother” by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana: https://bit.ly/3w8XHzV
Listen to all the songs from “More than a Mother” here: https://bit.ly/3sg80km
“To address this important issue of tackling the stigma of infertility as well as a wide range of other societal issues, we annually launch the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Awards in partnership with First Nations African ladies. I would also like to invite the African media, fashion, film and music community, students and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year, in order to create a cultural change and break the silence on a or more of the following: Ending infertility stigma, supporting girls’ education, empowering women, ending child marriage, ending female genital mutilation and/or ending gender-based violence in all levels. I look forward to receiving your creative work at [email protected],” added Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej.
“Our Africa by Merck Foundation” is a pan-African TV show conceptualized, produced, directed and co-hosted by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, featuring fashion designers, singers and guests brands in various fields. with the aim of raising awareness and creating cultural change in Africa. The show is co-hosted by Brian Mulondo from Uganda. The TV show is currently airing in Kenya, Uganda and Ghana; the show will soon air in other African countries as well. Below are the channels on which the television program is broadcast:
– Every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (EAT) on KTN, Kenya
– Every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (EAT) on NTV Uganda
– Every Sunday at 2pm on (GMT) GHOne TV, Ghana
Watch the “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” promo here: https://bit.ly/3MYRgpY
“I am very excited to bring you all the upcoming episodes of the TV show ‘OUR AFRICA by Merck Foundation.’ So stay connected and prepare to be informed, stay healthy and entertained!” concluded Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej.
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