Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has marked the “International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women 2025” through a series of community outreach initiatives delivered under its “More Than a Mother” Campaign and “Educating Linda” programme. Working alongside First Ladies from Africa and Asia, the organisation has used media, education tools, and public engagement to highlight violence against women, promote gender equality, and support girls’ education.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation, said the organisation remains committed to using wide-reaching awareness efforts to address violence faced by women and girls. ““At Merck Foundation, we are deeply committed to raising awareness about the elimination of violence against women and girls through our various impactful community awareness initiatives that include children storybooks and their adapted animation films, inspiring songs, and many episodes of our TV program “Our Africa”, that has been broadcast on national TV stations across Africa.”
“Through our ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign, we are breaking the infertility stigma. Infertile women are often subjected to discrimination, social isolation, and in many cases, violence. By breaking this stigma and shifting mindsets, we aim to protect their rights, restore their dignity, and create a more compassionate and equitable society.”
The campaign outlines a series of interventions to expand equitable reproductive and fertility care, increase awareness about infertility prevention, and address male infertility. Alongside this, the Foundation’s “Educating Linda” programme supports long-term empowerment through education. “I firmly believe that education is one of the strongest drivers of women’s empowerment. When women and girls are educated, they gain the confidence, opportunities, and protection needed to break cycles of violence and build stronger futures. Therefore, through our ‘Educating Linda’ program, we are providing annual scholarships to more than 1,000 underprivileged but deserving schoolgirls from 18 countries, enabling them to continue their education, and reach their full potential,” Dr. Kelej added.
Merck Foundation also continues to expand the reach of “Our Africa”, its pan-African television programme conceptualised, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Dr. Kelej. The show brings together African fashion designers, musicians, and subject-matter experts to address social and health challenges. Episodes have covered issues including stopping gender-based violence, ending FGM, breaking infertility stigma, strengthening women’s empowerment, and promoting girls’ education.
In partnership with First Ladies across the continent, the Foundation has published several children’s storybooks aimed at shaping early attitudes around gender equality and respect. Titles include ‘Not Who You Are’, which focuses on gender-based violence; ‘More Than a Mother’, which aims to reinforce values of family respect and highlight women’s broader roles in society; and books such as ‘Educating Linda’, ‘Jackline’s Rescue’, and ‘Ride into the Future’ that encourage support for girls’ education.
These stories have also been adapted into animation films produced in English, French, Portuguese, Swahili, and Spanish to expand their reach among children, young people, and wider audiences.
