By Memory Kutengule Chatonda

Blantyre, October 29, Mana: First Lady, Monica Cha kwera has reaffirmed her dedication to advancing efforts to advertise gir ls’ training and empower girls with infertility situations.

In her keynote handle in the course of the inauguration of the eleventh version of the Merck Foundation Africa – Asia Luminary held in Tanzan ia on Tuesday, Chakwera mentioned since Malawi, by means of her workplace, partnered with the Merck Foundation in 2020, a terrific affect has been registered within the areas of training, hea lth and the general well-being of individuals.

“Under the Educat ion Linda Initiative, we have provided scholarships to 79 high- achievin g girls in seco ndary schools. Additionally, we have provided 48 scholarships to young medical doctors to specialize in crucial medical areas,” she added.

Chakwera, who can also be the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Bride” Ambassador, added that Malawi has additionally moved steadily and shortly in sensitiz ing girls with infert ility situations by means of numerous instructional programmes and empow ering them with income-generating a ctivities to develop into self-reli ant.

“We will continue to advocate for a cultural shift regarding a wide range of social and heaIth issues, including breaking the stigma around in fert ility, supporting girls’ education and ending child marriage,” she mentioned

Speaking earlier, the chairperson of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Frank
Stangenberg-Haverka mp mentioned the muse will proceed to work with the First Ladies
from African international locations and Asia to construct healthcare capability by means of the supply of
scholarships in underserved medical specialties equivalent to oncology, diabetes, cardiology
and sexual and reproductive medication.

He mentioned this intervention would assist to handle the substantial challenges confronted by medical specialists in rely ries in Africa and Asia.

The Merck Foundat ion is a Un ited States-based charitable group that goals to enhance the well being and well-being of individuals and advan ce their lives by means of science and know-how.

This 12 months, the Merck Foundation Africa-Asia Luminary has attracted keynote audio system
and the First Ladies of Burundi, Cape Verde, the Cent ral African Republic, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, The Maldives, Malawi, Mozambique, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe.