Harare, Zimbabwe & Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | 6th August 2025: The Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, successfully concluded the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit 2025, held in the presence of CEO Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej and First Ladies from across Africa and Asia—Ambassadors of the “More Than a Mother” campaign.
This high-impact summit served as a platform to address critical social and health issues, from breaking infertility stigma to advancing women’s empowerment, education for girls, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Key Highlights of MFFLI Summit 2025
Global Leadership and Commitment
- The summit celebrated 13 years of Merck Foundation’s impactful development programs and 8 years of the Foundation’s formal establishment.
- Participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia engaged in plenary sessions and high-level panel discussions with ministers and international health experts.
Merck Foundation Health Media Training
Held on Day 2 of the summit, the Merck Foundation Health Media Training session empowered journalists from across Africa. The focus: utilizing media influence to create a cultural shift and tackle major social challenges including:
- Infertility stigma
- Girl child education
- Gender-based violence (GBV)
- Female genital mutilation (FGM)
- Child marriage
- Women’s empowerment
- Early detection and prevention of diabetes & hypertension
Watch the full Health Media Training session here:
https://youtu.be/yRKWqeRFSe4
Since 2017, over 3,700 journalists from 35 African countries have benefited from this unique initiative.
Merck Foundation 2025 Awards: Call for Entries
Merck Foundation, in collaboration with African and Asian First Ladies, invites media professionals, musicians, filmmakers, fashion designers, and students to participate in its 8 prestigious annual awards programs. These awards aim to harness creativity for social change and health education.
“More Than a Mother” Awards (Deadline: September 30, 2025)
- Media Recognition Awards
- Film Awards
- Fashion Awards
- Song Awards
Focus Topics:
Infertility stigma, women empowerment, girl education, ending GBV, child marriage, and FGM.
“Diabetes & Hypertension” Awards (Deadline: October 30, 2025)
- Media Recognition Awards
- Film Awards
- Fashion Awards
- Song Awards
Focus Topics:
Promoting healthy lifestyles, early detection, and prevention of diabetes and hypertension.
Submit entries via email: submit@merck-foundation.com
Get Involved and Stay Connected
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https://www.merck-foundation.com/MF_StoreRedirection
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