Liberia First Lady Clar Marie Weah has been named Ambassador for “Merck More than A Mother” by the Merck Foundation.
The Merck Foundation is a non-profit organization working to improve the health and well-being of people and advance their lives through science and technology.
According to an official statement of the Foundation, the honor was bestowed on Madame Weah at the Merck Foundation’s First Ladies Initiative Summit held recently in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, which brought together about 14 African First Ladies under the theme “Raising awareness on infertility prevention and breaking infertility stigma in Africa.”
The “Merck More Than A Mother” Initiative aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education, and health by changing mindsets and supporting governments define policies to enhance access to regulated, safe and effective fertility care.
The initiative will also define interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raise awareness about infertility prevention and management.
Merck Foundation, through its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rasha Kelej, expressed satisfaction over Mrs. Weah’s acceptance to serve as an Ambassador for the “Merck More Than A Mother.”
“I am happy to partner with Merck Foundation; they will provide specialized training to our doctors in the field of Fertility, Oncology and Diabetes Management;, they will also train media to break
the infertility stigma and will launch initiatives to empower women and girls in education,” Madame Weah said in her remarks.
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The Liberian First Lady highlighted the lack of regulated fertility care and awareness about infertility management and stigma against women suffering from such condition as a key challenge.
She expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and Dr. Rasha Kelej, Vice Chairman of the Board of Partners and Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation respectively, for the More Than A Mother Initiative.
The office of the First Lady in collaboration with relevant government institutions will select prospective candidates and forward them to the Merck Foundation for consideration.
TSS/abj/APA