The Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” campaign is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering infertile and childless women across Africa and Asia. By partnering with African First Ladies, ministries, policymakers, and various sectors, the campaign works to:
- Break the stigma of infertility: The campaign aims to shift societal perceptions about infertility, recognizing that it affects both men and women.
- Enhance fertility care: Through training programs for fertility specialists and embryologists, the campaign builds capacity in reproductive healthcare.
- Raise awareness: It works on educating the public about infertility prevention and male infertility, alongside promoting equitable fertility care.
- Support women economically: By helping infertile women start small businesses, the campaign fosters financial independence and social respect for these women.
Additionally, the campaign’s twin initiative, “More Than a Father”, highlights that infertility is a shared responsibility, with male factors accounting for nearly 50% of infertility cases.
The campaign has reached millions of women and engaged over 24 African First Ladies as ambassadors. It has provided over 315 scholarships, trained 255 fertility specialists, and created educational content like songs, films, and storybooks to foster cultural change. The initiative also focuses on building partnerships with 42 African ministries and training 3,200 media representatives to create widespread awareness.
This multi-faceted approach aims to break the stigma and foster respect for all women, regardless of their fertility status.
