By Hamu Madzedze
Merck Foundation CEO and the President of "More than a Mother" program, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej says empowering women living with infertility through access to information ,education,change of mindset and economic empowerment will go a long way in addressing infertility stigma.
Commemorating the International Women's Day Dr Kelej said the foundation has been empowering childless and infertile women through their "Empowering Berna" initiative which is under the "More than a Mother " program, where women who cannot be treated for infertility anymore are trained on how to establish small businesses which will enable them to be independent and rebuild their lives.
"Through the "Empowering Berna initiative the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in African countries such as Kenya , Uganda ,Nigeria ,Central African Republic, Niger and Malawi .
Senator, Dr Kelej added that the objective behind these initiatives is to give every woman the respect and help they deserve for them to lead a fulfilling life with or without a child.
"As part of the "More than a Mother" campaign Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives aimed at breaking stigma being faced by women who are infertile and create a culture shift " said Merck Foundation CEO
Senator, Dr Kelej added that women are solely blamed for failing to conceive and social stigma of childlessness especially for women leads to isolation , discrimination and in some cases divorce , physical and psychological violence".
The Foundation's CEO also highlighted that the foundation together with the First Ladies of Africa are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility and reproductive care across Africa and beyond through provision of scholarships in the areas of Embryology,Fertility and Reproductive care.
"I am happy that we at Merck Foundation are contributing towards building and advancing fertility care capacity in Africa and Asia and to date more than 545 scholarships for Embryology ,Fertility and Reproductive care have been awarded to young doctors from 39 countries" she said.
Meanwhile Merck Foundation in partnership with Africa's First Ladies have launched "More than a Mother "children's storybook that emphasises strong family values of love and respect from a young age with the aim of eliminating infertility related stigma and the domestic violence that usually erupts as a result of infertility.
According to WHO data more than 180 million couples in developing countries that is 1 in every four couples suffer from infertility.
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