First Ladies Unite Against Infertility Stigma at Merck Foundation Summit
Harare, Zimbabwe and Mumbai, India, July 31, 2025: The 7th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit concluded successfully. The summit, held in Harare, brought together the Merck Foundation CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej, and several African and Asian First Ladies, who serve as ambassadors for the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” initiative.
A key highlight was the Health Media Training session on Day 2. This session focused on empowering African journalists to combat societal challenges. The training emphasized the media’s crucial role in shifting cultural norms related to infertility, gender-based violence, child marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM).
The training also addressed the importance of promoting girl’s education and empowering women across all sectors. Furthermore, it highlighted the need for increased awareness regarding early detection and prevention of diabetes and hypertension.
This initiative’s success underscores the vital role of collaboration between governments, NGOs, and the media in tackling critical health and social issues across the African continent. The impact of this training will undoubtedly be felt in improved public health awareness and societal progress in the coming years.
