By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : May 12, 2026 7:25 am
Initiatives include scholarships, STEM initiatives, and healthcare capacity-building programmes supporting women and girls across 52 countries
Merck Foundation, in partnership with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia through its “More Than a Mother” campaign, has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to women empowerment and girl education through a range of healthcare, education, and STEM-focused initiatives.
The foundation said it has spent more than 14 years advancing programmes aimed at empowering women and girls, with a strong focus on education, healthcare access, fertility awareness, and leadership development.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, said empowering women and girls remains central to the organisation’s mission and is reflected across all its programmes, including “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, the Merck Foundation Scholarships Programme, and STEM initiatives.
The “More Than a Mother” campaign focuses on supporting infertile and childless women through awareness, education, healthcare access, and social change initiatives aimed at reducing stigma.
Through its scholarships programme, the foundation has provided more than 2,600 scholarships to healthcare professionals from 52 countries across 44 underserved and critical medical specialties. According to the foundation, nearly half of these scholarships have been awarded to women medical graduates to help strengthen women’s participation in healthcare leadership and specialised medicine.
The organisation also stated that more than 800 scholarships have been dedicated to advancing women’s reproductive and sexual healthcare capabilities, including fertility care services.
As part of its “Educating Linda” initiative, Merck Foundation and the First Ladies of Africa have provided over 1,400 annual scholarships to underprivileged schoolgirls from 21 African countries to support continued education.
In addition, the foundation continues to promote women’s participation in science and technology through its STEM programme and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards, which recognise outstanding African women researchers and young scientists.
The foundation also organises annual media, film, fashion, and song awards in partnership with African and Asian First Ladies to raise awareness on issues such as girl education, infertility stigma, female genital mutilation, child marriage, and gender-based violence.