Uganda Prime Minister Nabbanja Named Among Most Influential African Women 2022
Among the 100 Most Influential African Women in 2022 are the Prime Ministers of Tanzania, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan; the Merck Foundation CEO, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej;
Uganda Prime Minister Nabbanja Named Among Most Influential African Women 2022
Among the 100 Most Influential African Women in 2022 are the Prime Ministers of Tanzania, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan; the Merck Foundation CEO, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej; Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja; Namibia, Rt. Hon. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila; and TOGO, Rt. Hon. Victoire Tomegah Dogbé.
Two presidents, five vice presidents, five prime ministers, ministers, and top CEOs of both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations are among the 100 Most Influential African Women of 2022. Merck Foundation CEO Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej was named one of the 100 Most Influential African Women of 2022 for the fourth consecutive year.
For the fourth year in a row, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” Campaign, has been included on the list of the 100 Most Influential African Women in 2022. This annual book showcases and honors African women in leadership who are altering the perspective of women and shattering stereotypes in the workplace, in business, and in everyday endeavors.
Sen. Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, President of the “More Than a Mother” Campaign, and member of the Egyptian Senate, has received recognition for her work improving patient care reform, healthcare capacity, and women’s empowerment in African nations. It also recognizes her efforts through the Merck Foundation to empowering African women in the fields of research and healthcare as well as uplifting disadvantaged adolescent girls in Africa and other developing nations through “Educating Linda.”
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed her surprise and honor at being named as one of the 100 Most Influential African Women for the fourth consecutive year in the category of CSO & Philanthropy. She also expressed her gratitude for the honor.
Thank you for acknowledging my efforts and the Merck Foundation’s dedication to expanding healthcare capacity, modernizing patient care with an emphasis on women’s health, and encouraging women and girls to realize their full potential and achieve their aspirations.
I swear to keep empowering women, promoting girl education, and enhancing access to high-quality, fair healthcare in Africa, Asia, and everywhere. Greetings to all the outstanding women that were chosen this year. Very well deserved
Dr. Kelej is at the fore of projects run by the Merck Foundation that have helped to change the way patients are cared for in public healthcare systems in Africa and developing nations.
“I’m delighted that we’ve given more than 1470 scholarships to young doctors from 50 different countries in cooperation with 20 African First Ladies as Ambassadors of the More Than a Mother” Campaign. These doctors are given scholarships for one-, two-, and three-year diploma and master’s programs in more than 32 important and underutilized specialties. Out of these, over 650 are female medical graduates, which makes me quite happy. This represents over half of all recipients, which is a significant accomplishment for us, says Dr. Kelej.
She has helped thousands of girls in numerous African nations by providing scholarships and necessary school supplies through the “Educating Linda” program, which she runs in collaboration with the First Ladies of Africa who are also the Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” campaign. By offering scholarships in nations including Burundi, the Central African Republic, the DRC, Ghana, The Gambia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, this organization has helped a lot of girls. Additionally, in other nations including Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, and Zambia, 3,000 sets of necessary school supplies have been sent to girls’ schools.
I firmly believe that an educated lady will live a healthy life, save lives, create a stronger family, make better financial decisions, be an asset to her community, advance her nation, and lessen disparities, she continues.
In order to honor and recognize the “Best African Women Researchers” and the “Best Young African Researcher,” the Merck Foundation has also established the MARS Awards. The objective is to promote the research ability of young African academics, particularly women, and to highlight their contributions to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Over the past ten years, Senator Dr. Rasha has collaborated closely with more than 20 First Ladies of Africa, Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media, and Art to build healthcare capacity and address health, social, and economic challenges in developing nations and underserved communities.
Additionally, she has spent the past seven years working closely with more than 20 African First Ladies who are also ambassadors for the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” Campaign. This campaign, which she created and spearheads, aims to break the stigma associated with infertility and empower infertile and childless women.
The CEO of the Merck Foundation is a firm believer that fashion and art can make a big contribution to raising community awareness of various health and social issues, including promoting girls’ education and women’s empowerment. With the conceptualization, production, direction, and presentation of “Our Africa by Merck Foundation,” a pan-African and distinctive TV program that raises awareness about a variety of social and health issues in Africa through “Fashion and Art with Purpose” African Community, established by her, she has added yet another honor to her list of accomplishments. The Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, and Merck Foundation all have social media accounts where viewers can stream this TV show. It is also available on Prime TV networks across the continent.
Dr. Rasha Kelej underlines the concept behind this television program, saying, “I am extremely thrilled and proud to have created “Our Africa by Merck Foundation. African fashion’s bright patterns are evidence of the cultural diversity and wealth of the African continent. I’ve always appreciated African art and fashion, and I firmly feel that they ought to serve purposes beyond than mere aesthetic enjoyment. They can aid in raising awareness of important social and health issues in our communities. This idea inspired me to create the educational and entertaining television program “Our Africa.”
Dr. Kelej and African First Ladies have been breaking the silence on a variety of important and delicate social and health issues, such as supporting girl education, dispelling the stigma surrounding infertility, putting an end to child marriage and GBV and FGM, and empowering women at all levels, through many of their creative and original initiatives, such as creating more than 30 songs in English with young, talented musicians and singers from across Africa.
Notable song writers and singers for “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” include the president of Liberia, the former first lady of Burundi, and the daughter of the current president and first lady of Burundi. To teach and sensitize kids about vital issues from an early age, she has published 8 children’s storybooks in English, French, and Portuguese.
She has taught more than 2200 media professionals in more than 35 countries with the goal of bringing attention to the crucial social and health concerns facing the continent. She also introduces 8 separate Awards every year for the finest media coverage, fashion creations, films, and music.
The top 100 most influential African women in 2022 are from 36 different African nations and represent a range of professional fields, including diplomacy, philanthropy, activism, politics, corporate leadership, and entertainment.
It features a number of well-known individuals, including, among others, H.E. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, President of Tanzania; Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda; Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Prime Minister of Namibia; and Rt. Hon. Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, Prime Minister of Togo.
