Empowering Change: Merck Foundation's Historic Summit with Africa and Asia's First Ladies

The Merck Foundation hosted its 7th First Ladies Initiative Summit in 2025, with prominent involvement from the wives of key African and Asian leaders. The summit underlined advancements in healthcare scholarships, women's empowerment, and girl education initiatives, creating transformative impacts across these regions.

The Merck Foundation hosted the 7th Edition of its First Ladies Initiative Summit in 2025, bringing together First Ladies from 14 African and Asian countries. The summit aimed to highlight the impactful healthcare and social programs facilitated by the foundation, emphasizing empowerment and educational opportunities.

Key figures including Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized the milestone achievements made possible through Merck's initiatives. The meeting featured comprehensive discussions on expanding healthcare capacities and addressing critical social issues such as infertility stigma, women's education, and gender-based violence.

The event saw a reflection on shared successes, with First Ladies detailing achievements like significant scholarship provision for medical professionals and educational support for young girls. Such initiatives are seen as transformative for both the healthcare landscape and societal development in their respective nations.

(With inputs from agencies.)