Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej focuses on “Stopping Gender Based Violence” in the Ninth Episode of “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” TV Program

 

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany has released the Ninth Episode of their First-ever TV program – ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ on their social media handles.

‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa.

The TV program is currently broadcasting on KTN Home in Kenya, every Saturday at 5 pm and repeated every Thursday at 6:30 am.

It has also been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like BTV (Botswana) Mashariki TV (Burundi), GHOne &TV3 (Ghana), QTV (The Gambia), LNTV (Liberia), Mibawa Limited (Malawi), Defi Media (Mauritius), AYV TV (Sierra Leone), NTV (Uganda), ZNBC TV (Zambia) and it immediately captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa. “Our Africa” TV Program will soon be broadcast on GTV in Ghana, NBC in Namibia, and ZTN in Zimbabwe. “Our Africa” TV Program is also currently on social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4fUkSno), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3ABQePK), X (https://apo-opa.co/3AvXGfg) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4dxOC7Y)) and Merck Foundation (Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/46V9yU8), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3Z0xcwF), X (https://apo-opa.co/3AKlko7) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4fUkSDU)).

Watch the Promo of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ here:

https://apo-opa.co/46UnnCj

The theme for the Ninth Episode is Stopping Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Watch the Ninth Episode promo here: https://apo-opa.co/46TBho9

Watch the Ninth Episode here: https://apo-opa.co/46YLSy5

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, “The response to ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ TV program has been very positive and overwhelming. I am so happy that the TV program has been informative and entertaining at the same time. Now, we bring to you the ninth episode that focuses on the issue of ‘Stopping Gender-Based Violence’. GBV is the most pervasive yet least visible human rights violation in the world. Gender-based violence affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime, globally”.

“We addressed this very sensitive topic through our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ community. I really admire Art and Fashion in Africa and I strongly believe that fashion and art should have a purpose beyond entertainment and looking good. They can contribute to be the voice of the voiceless and sensitizing our communities. Through our program, we want to reach out to youth and other members of urban and rural communities across the continent to address and raise awareness about a wide range of pressing social and health issues that are relevant to Africa such as; Stopping GBV, Breaking the Infertility Stigma, Ending Child Marriage, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle, Prevention and Management of Diabetes and Coronavirus Health Awareness and more”, added Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Merck Foundation has also launched a children storybook in partnership with African First Ladies, ‘Not Who You Are’ to address this sensitive issue since young age, to be able to teach boys to love and respect their future wives and eliminate domestic violence. Read the storybook here: https://apo-opa.co/46WoQYB

While gender-based violence (GBV) is not a problem unique to Africa, there is little doubt that the extent of the problem persists more severely on the continent than elsewhere in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that, in 2013, 35% of women worldwide had experienced either physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes. In contrast, 45.6% of women 15 years and older in Africa have experienced the same.  

This high incidence of GBV in Africa can be correlated to low levels of education, exposure to violence elsewhere, patriarchal systems, attitudes accepting of violence and gender inequality, and low access to information. 

In societies where justice is seldom achieved, knowledge of women’s rights is limited, and exposure to violence is consistent, the task of reducing GBV remains of paramount importance.

The ninth episode of “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” features Nancy, TV Presenter&Style Coach from GHone TV, who shared tips on how to use fashion to build confidence in women. The episode also featured young and talented designers Gaone Mangogola from Botswana and Stephany – Lee Schmidt from Namibia who shared their designs displaying STOP GBV messages.

Senator, Dr. Rasha further emphasized, “We have also launched awards for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, Musicians/ Singers, and new potential talents in these fields from African countries to address the sensitive issue of Stopping GBV, and also other issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage and/ or Ending FGM. We are running these competitions in partnership with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies. I am excited and looking forward to receiving the applications on submit@merck-foundation.com”.

“I am very excited to bring to you all the upcoming episodes of ‘OUR AFRICA by Merck Foundation’ TV program. So, stay tuned and be ready to Get informed, Get healthy, and Get entertained!”, concluded Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Watch General Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/3AAi2ny

Watch Episode 1 here: https://apo-opa.co/3Az62CN

Watch Episode 2 here: https://apo-opa.co/4fYbuzs

Watch Episode 3 here: https://apo-opa.co/4cHrZwB

Watch Episode 4 here: https://apo-opa.co/4cJJpck

Watch Episode 5 here: https://apo-opa.co/4cCSzHe  

Watch Episode 6 here: https://apo-opa.co/3ACRi5R

Watch Episode 7 here: https://apo-opa.co/3YQTmBn

Watch Episode 8 here: https://apo-opa.co/4cEo0kB  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact details:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

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About Merck Foundation:
Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit: Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com); Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/46V9yU8), X (https://apo-opa.co/3AKlko7), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3Z0xcwF), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3YUq3O3), Thread (https://apo-opa.co/4fXLh3G) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4cAHVRh).