Merck Foundation Launches "Educating Linda" Program and Announces Awards to Address Social and Health Issues in Mauritius

Merck Foundation's CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej, met with the Mauritius President and Minister of Gender Equality & Family Welfare to strengthen partnership and launch education program for underprivileged schoolgirls. The foundation has provided 100 scholarships for Mauritian doctors in 44 critical and underserved specialties, with a focus on empowering women in STEM and addressing social and health issues.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, met with the Mauritius President and Minister of Gender Equality & Family Welfare to share the impact of their programs and underscore their commitment to address critical social issues in Mauritius.
• The "Educating Linda" program will support the education of 20 deserving yet underprivileged Mauritian schoolgirls until graduation, empowering them to complete their studies and reach their full potential.
• Merck Foundation has provided 100 scholarships for Mauritian doctors in 44 critical and under-served specialties, including fertility, oncology, diabetes, endocrinology, and more.
• The foundation has so far provided over 2,280 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, many of whom have become the first specialists in their countries.
• The 4th Edition of the Health Media Training was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, aiming to address issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, women empowerment, and ending child marriage.
• The foundation has announced several awards to address social and health issues, including the "More Than a Mother" awards for media, musicians, fashion designers, filmmakers, students, and new talents in these fields.
• The awards aim to raise awareness about critical social issues like infertility stigma, girl education, women empowerment, child marriage, and GBV, among others.