Merck Foundation together with African First Ladies mark International Day of Girls and Women in Science

Merck Foundation launch “MARS Best African Woman Researchers Awards” annually to empower and acknowledge women in science; Merck Foundation empowers African Women in the areas of Science and Technology through providing 650 scholarships to female doctors out of 1470 scholarships.

Merck Foundation recently conducted MARS Awards Ceremony with African Union and 11 African Ministers announced MARS Best African Women Researchers and Young African Researchers Awards winners; Merck Foundation also announced the Call for Applications for Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS Awards 2023 to empower Women and Youth in STEM in Africa with special focus on scientific research in Women Health and Infertility & Reproductive Health.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks ‘International Day of Girls and Women in Science 2023’ together with African First Ladies through their Merck Foundation “STEM Program” and “Educating Linda” program.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “We at Merck Foundation mark ‘International Day of Girls and Women in Science 2023’ by supporting and empowering women in the areas of Science and Technology. Even though women have made tremendous participation and progress in career, there is still under-representation of women in these fields. We aim to bridge the gender-inequality gap and enable women to participate equally in the areas of Science and Technology.

We have also launched MARS Awards to appreciate and recognize ‘Best African Women Researchers’ and ‘Best Young African Researcher’. Our aim is to empower women and young African researchers, advance their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).”

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej further emphasized, “In partnership with my dear sisters, African First Ladies, we have been transforming the patient care landscape in Africa by providing medical training to young doctors in many critical medical specialties. Out of the total 1470 scholarships provided, more than 650 scholarships have been provided to female medical graduates. This is close to 45% of the total beneficiaries, which is a great milestone for us.”

Every year, Merck Foundation conducts “Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit- MARS” in partnership with African Governments and African Union Scientific. This year’s MARS will be in partnership with International Federation of Fertility Societies -IFFS, Africa Reproductive Care Society – ARCS, Manipal University and African Union Scientific Technical Research Commission. MARS brings together researchers and policy makers from across Africa to prepare for the road ahead in Africa’s development as an international hub for excellence in scientific innovation and define interventions to empower women and youth through education in general and in STEM in particular.

Merck Foundation also announced the Call for Applications for their prestigious Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2023.