Abuja: Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merck Foundation, marked World Art Day 2026 by highlighting the role of creativity in addressing infertility stigma and supporting girl education through the Pan-African Art and Fashion with Purpose community. This initiative, established by Dr. Kelej, has been instrumental in utilizing art and fashion to tackle vital health and social issues across Africa.
According to African Press Organization, the Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, celebrated the 6th anniversary of its Fashion and Art with Purpose Community. This community aims to raise awareness on critical issues such as infertility stigma, girl education, gender-based violence, and health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, who has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans from 2019 to 2025, emphasized the importance of art, fashion, and media as means of fostering cultural shifts and educating communities.
The Merck Foundation has launched several initiatives, including the pan-African TV program "Our Africa by Merck Foundation." The program, conceptualized and co-hosted by Dr. Kelej, features African fashion designers, singers, and experts to discuss pressing issues on the continent. It has been widely broadcast across Africa and is available on social media platforms of both Dr. Kelej and the Merck Foundation.
Beyond the TV program, the foundation collaborates with The First Ladies of Africa to announce annual awards for media, fashion designers, filmmakers, and musicians. These awards focus on themes such as breaking infertility stigma, supporting girls' education, ending child marriage and FGM, stopping gender-based violence, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Entries for the 2026 awards can be submitted to the Merck Foundation.
The Fashion and Art with Purpose Community comprises talented individuals recognized through the Merck Foundation's annual Fashion, Film, and Song Awards. Dr. Kelej expressed pride in celebrating 175 winners from 25 countries. The winners, including fashion designers, songwriters, and filmmakers, actively engage their communities to spark dialogue and challenge deep-rooted perceptions.
Additionally, the Merck Foundation has collaborated with African artists to create over 30 songs in various languages, addressing issues like infertility stigma and women's empowerment. The foundation has also launched nine children's storybooks and six awareness animation films in multiple languages to promote grassroots change.
For more information, the foundation's songs, storybooks, and animation films are available online through provided links.