The philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Merck Foundation, has marked International Women's Day with renewed commitment to empowering women and girls through a range of development programmes implemented across Africa and Asia.

The foundation said the observance reflects more than a decade of sustained efforts aimed at improving access to education, healthcare and opportunities for women and girls in underserved communities.

Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Rasha Kelej, noted that empowering women remains central to the organisation’s mission.

According to her, the foundation’s initiatives are designed to go beyond symbolic celebrations by delivering long-term programmes that transform lives.

“At Merck Foundation, empowering women and girls is not confined to a single day. It shapes our vision and guides our programmes, highlighting the organisation’s work with African and Asian First Ladies and government partners,” she said.

Among the flagship initiatives is the More Than a Mother campaign, a movement focused on empowering infertile and childless women by providing access to information, healthcare and education while addressing social stigma associated with infertility.

The foundation also runs a scholarship programme aimed at strengthening healthcare systems by training medical professionals in specialised areas. To date, it has awarded more than 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries across 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

Nearly half of these scholarships have been awarded to women medical graduates, enabling them to develop expertise and assume leadership roles in healthcare. The programme has also provided over 770 scholarships specifically focused on advancing women’s health, including reproductive and fertility care.

Beyond healthcare, Merck Foundation has prioritised education as a key pillar of women’s empowerment through initiatives such as the Educating Linda programme.

Under the initiative, more than 1,200 annual scholarships have been provided to underprivileged schoolgirls from 19 African countries, enabling them to continue their education and pursue their ambitions.

The organisation is also promoting women’s participation in science and research through its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics initiatives and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit awards, which recognise outstanding African researchers and encourage young scientists to contribute to innovation and development.

In addition, Merck Foundation works with partners including ministries responsible for health, education, communication and gender to raise awareness on issues affecting women and girls. These include ending gender-based violence, combating child marriage, addressing female genital mutilation and promoting girl-child education.

The foundation also uses creative approaches such as songs, films, storybooks and television programmes to amplify its advocacy campaigns and encourage conversations around women’s empowerment and social change.

Established in 2017, Merck Foundation focuses on improving health and wellbeing while advancing education and research capacity in developing countries, particularly among women and youth.

Through its initiatives and partnerships, the organisation says it aims to continue strengthening opportunities for women and girls while promoting inclusive development across communities.