Bukola Afeni
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, together with African First Ladies, has called on African communities to end Female Genital Mutilation.
The Foundation stated this as part of celebration to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2024, as part of the Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” and “Educating Linda” program.
Merck Foundation highlighted the harms and danger of FGM through one of the 15 episodes of their “Our Africa”, pan African TV program conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.
“Our Africa” TV Program has been broadcasted on National and Prime TV stations of many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burundi and more.
“It is also currently on social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube) and Merck Foundation (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube).”
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” campaign said Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) stands as a grave issue deeply ingrained in numerous cultures across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
“It is important that we take immediate action and speak out against the longstanding and harmful practice. FGM deprives women and girls of their dignity, jeopardizes their health, inflicts unnecessary pain and suffering, and imposes lasting complications, including infertility, yes. Infertility that resulted from untreated infectious diseases which resulted from FGM practice.”
She further noted that FGM causes other complications such as infections, stillborn babies, and, in some instances, even death.
According to the WHO data, more than 200 million girls and women alive have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is primarily practiced.
Merck Foundation disclosed that through the ‘OUR Africa’ TV program, the bodies have conveyed to the communities that FGM only harms girls and women physically and also psychologically, and that it has no health benefits.
She said FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of human rights of girls and women. This practice needs to stop immediately.
“FGM can lead to severe medical complications in women including infertility, as infection due to FGM is one of the main causes of Infertility. FGM also increases the risk of HIV transmission and can cause severe complications during childbirth”.
Merck Foundation believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment, and will definitely help in stopping practices such as FGM, which do not benefit anyone.
“Together with African First Ladies, we have contributed to the future of 425 of girls by providing scholarships to continue their education, and also provide essential school items, through our “Educating Linda” program in many African countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and more.
“We have benefitted 1000’s of girls through our awareness campaign which includes releasing many inspiring children’s storybooks, animation films and songs to support girl education and end child marriage.”
The Foundation is adapting their storybooks to create interesting animation films with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important supporting girl education.
