Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2021 More Than a Mother and Make Your Own Mask Announced by Africa First Ladies

Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “More Than a Mother” 2021 the theme for which was to deliver strong and influential messages about Breaking Infertility stigma, Empowering Girls and Women through Education at all levels
Merck Foundation “Make your own Mask” Fashion Awards 2021 the theme for which was to create designs that display messages to encourage people to wear masks to show they and to protect themselves and their loved ones from the ongoing coronavirus global health issue

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President of “More than a Mother” campaign emphasized, “I am extremely happy and proud to announce the winners of Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “More Than a Mother” 2021 and Merck Foundation “Make your own Mask” Fashion Awards 2021, together with my dear sisters the African First Ladies. Big congratulations to our 21 winners, I loved all the designs they sent us and I appreciate their creativity. I also welcome them to our newly established ‘Fashion with Purpose’ community, as I  strongly believe that Fashion and Art play a significant role in raising awareness about health and sensitive social topics and can bring about a culture shift in Africa.”

The Winners from Ghana were personally awarded by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit to Ghana. She will also be awarding the winners of Zambia during her upcoming visit to the country.

The winners of past editions of Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” were also featured on “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”, a TV program to raise awareness on critical social and health issues through the Fashion with Purpose Community.

Watch the Promo of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_RIoIMbFd2Q
 
Here is the list of Award Winners:

Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “More Than a Mother” 2021

GHANA

Solace Akos Sakah
Linda Mensah
Destinee Mouanda Biyeri
Pwatani Theresa
David Kwabena Appaih
Catherine Natang

 
NAMIBIA

Ngatendwe Hope Gowera 
Siuna Birindwa Genese
Rebecca Uukongo
Risto Elizabeth 
Joel Musasa

 
NIGERIA

Blessing Dangom
Elamah Ahmat
Adebayo Adedotun Promise

ZAMBIA

Kasonde Makangila
Gibstar Makangila jr

 
ZIMBABWE

Chewe Manase

 
Merck Foundation “Make your own Mask” Fashion Awards 2021
 
ZAMBIA

Tepwanji Mpetemoya & Mwiche Songolo
Linda Ngwira

 
MAURITIUS

Neerooa Aalia Bibi Firdaus

 
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “We have announced Call for Applications for two Fashion Awards of Merck Foundation, this year.

The First one is Merck Foundation Fashion  Awards “More Than a Mother” 2022, announced in partnership with African First Ladies. All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM and/or Stopping GBV at all levels.

The second one is Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2022 “Diabetes & Hypertension”, announced in partnership with African First Ladies. All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.”

Who can apply?
All African Fashion Students and Designers.

Last Date of Submission
30th October 2022

How to Apply?
Please share original sketches as attachment(s) on:
[email protected]
The subject line of the mail should mention: Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “More Than a Mother” 2022 OR Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS 2022 “Diabetes & Hypertension”
Please specify your name, institution name, country, and contact details in the mail.
 
About ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign
 
“Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports in defining policies and interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for Fertility Specialists and Embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.
 
With “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It’s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. 
 
The Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” are:
 

H.E. NEO JANE MASISI,
The First Lady of Botswana

H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana

H.E FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone

H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi

H.E. CLAR WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia

H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA, The First Lady of Zambia

H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic

H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi

H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe

H.E. ANTOINETTE SASSOU-NGUESSO, The First Lady of Congo Brazzaville

H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique

H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, THE First Lady of Democratic Republic of Congo

H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia

H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia

H.E. AISHA BUHARI, The First Lady of Nigeria

The Former First Lady of Burundi, H.E DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The Former First Lady of Chad, H.E. HINDA DÉBY ITNO, The Former First Lady of Guinea Conakry, H.E. CONDÉ DJENE, The Former First Lady of Malawi, H.E. PROFESSOR GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA, The Former First Lady of Niger, H.E AÏSSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU and The Former First Lady of Zambia, H.E. ESTHER LUNGU have worked successfully with Merck Foundation as Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Ambassadors to break the stigma of infertility and empower infertile women in their countries.

 
Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as;

‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training
‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Fashion Awards
‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Film Awards
‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Song Awards
Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it
Children storybook, localized for each country

Click on the link below to download Merck Foundation App
https://www.merck-foundation.com/MF_StoreRedirection

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