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“Our Africa by Merck Foundation” TV Program Third Episode To Break Infertility Stigma

by Women Times on

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany has released the Third Episode of their TV program – ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ on Saturday, 30th April 2022 on KTN, Kenya and Sunday, 1st May on NTV, Uganda. The TV program’s third episode addressed a sensitive topic: Breaking the Infertility Stigma around women. The TV program has been receiving great feedback from viewers of these channels and social media followers.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, “I have been particularly excited about the broadcasting of the third episode of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ as the theme we discussed during this episode – Breaking Infertility Stigma especially around women, which has been the main focus for our iconic ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign. It also focused on the issue of male infertility and how fertility is a shared responsibility as it takes a man and woman to have a child. We have addressed this issue through our Fashion and Art with Purpose community. Together we can create a culture shift that will help our communities better understand and act on different issues. Through this episode, I also got a chance to thank my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who I have worked very closely with Merck Foundation for this campaign, as Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” campaign.

I would also like to thank our viewers for the amazing response we have been receiving, this is indeed very inspiring and encouraging. Moreover, I would especially like to acknowledge the love we have been receiving from our social media followers, it is phenomenal.”

Merck Foundation’s iconic “More Than a Mother” campaign started and led by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej is a rallying movement to Break Infertility Stigma faced by women across the African continent. Not only that, Merck Foundation works to break the Infertility Stigma around women but also men, women are more than mothers, and men are more than fathers.

“‘More Than a Mother’ campaign is very close to my heart. Along with all the initiatives under this campaign, Merck Foundation also supports building healthcare capacity in Africa, therefore, I am happy to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 390 scholarships to doctors from 38 countries, with the aim to advance women’s health by building Reproductive & Sexual care and Fertility Care Capacity in Africa and beyond. Moreover, we have trained more than 2200 media representatives from more than 30 countries to raise community awareness, creating a culture shift and breaking the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women” explained Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

This third episode featured prominent personalities like Nontando Mposo, Editor-in-Chief, Glamour Magazine, South Africa and popular Singer Blaze from Mozambique. Fashion designers Anuja Bharti from Ghana and Alberto from Mozambique showcased their designs that displayed strong messages on #NoToInfertilityStigma and #MenToo can be the cause of infertility.

The episode also featured a song by H.E. George Weah, the President of Republic of Liberia created to support Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” movement. This song talks about encouraging men to support their wives during the journey of creating a happy family. Listen and watch the song here:  https://bit.ly/3vOaNU4

Merck Foundation has also been empowering childless and infertile women through their “Empowering Berna” initiative under Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” movement. This initiative helps women who cannot be treated for infertility anymore by helping them to get trained to establish small businesses so that they can be independent and re-build their lives. Through ‘Empowering Berna’, the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi and many more.

Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies have also launched children’s storybooks to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and resulted domestic violence in the future. The storybooks have been localized for each country to have a better connect with the young readers. David’s Story, launched in partnership with African First Ladies of over 20 countries, is one of these interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention and male infertility. Read David’s Story here: https://bit.ly/39Bs9e9

Merck Foundation has also released many songs to raise awareness about infertility stigma under their “More Than a Mother” movement. Listen to some of the songs here:

  1. Watch, share & subscribe to the ‘Plus qu’une MERE’ composed and sung by Ms. Lucky-Lou, the daughter of The President and The First Lady of Burundi: https://bit.ly/37kX4e2
  2. Watch, share & subscribe to the “More Than a Mother” song by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana: https://bit.ly/3w8XHzV

Listen to all “More than a Mother” songs here: https://bit.ly/3sg80km

​​“To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, we annually launch Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’ Awards in partnership with African First Ladies. I would also like to invite the African Community of Media, Fashion, Film making, and Musicians, students and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year, in order to create a culture shift and break the silence about one or more of the following topics: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels. I am looking forward to receiving their creative work on submit@merck-foundation.com”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent guests from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The show is co-hosted by Brian Mulondo from Uganda. The TV program is currently being broadcasted in Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana the show will also soon be aired in other African countries. Below are the details of the channels on which the TV show is being aired:

– Every Saturday @ 5:30 pm (EAT) on KTN, Kenya

– Every Sunday @ 6:30 pm (EAT) on NTV Uganda

– Every Sunday @ 2 pm on (GMT) GHOne TV, Ghana

Watch the Promo of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ here: https://bit.ly/3MYRgpY

“I am very excited to bring to you all the upcoming episodes of ‘OUR AFRICA by Merck Foundation’ TV program. So, stay tuned and be ready to Get informed, Get healthy, and Get entertained!”, concluded Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

 

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ACMPN Set To Induct New Members, Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week

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The Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy of Nigeria (ACMPN) has concluded plans to host its annual Mental Health Awareness Week and induction/Cocktail party slated to hold from 9th to 14th May 2022.

According to the association’s President, Dr. Tolulope Oko-Igaire, it would be celebrating the 2022  Mental Health Week with an awareness walk with the theme “Loneliness” slated to hold on Friday 13th May at noon. She added that the take-off location is the Central Mosque, Lekki Phase One, Lekki Lagos and many women will partaking in the event.

Also, it would induct new members to its association, and a Cocktail party would also be organised on 14th May 2022 at Civic Center by 10 am.

Other activities to commemorate the Mental Health Awareness Week include press briefings, lectures, and symposiums.

Mental Health Awareness Week is observed from the tenth to the sixteenth day of May in the United Kingdom and celebrated in the USA throughout May every year.

ACMPN is established to identify, develop and maintain professional standards of excellence in counselling, matchmaking and psychotherapy. Its work promotes best practice and the development of the profession as well as safeguards the public. It is also the link between those who are looking for services in the areas of counselling, matchmaking & psychotherapy and those who provide such professional services. In addition, it set and maintains practice and training standards, and provides a forum where members may exchange ideas, information, techniques, and methodologies.

Establishing itself apart from the rest as a multi-disciplined association, which specializes in holistic techniques, ACMPN’s membership also includes medical practitioners, psychologists, clinical social workers, coaches, stress consultants, NLP practitioners, clergy, educators, mental health therapists, and others in the helping, healing sector, as well as those providing matchmaking services, which is crucial for relationship health and wellbeing.

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Unconditional Love: Free BRT Rides to Mothers Across Lagos

by Women Times on

Mothers play unique roles in the family; they are the critical unifying factor that bond a family and are considered incredible pillars of family love and support. As a token of appreciation of their love, an anonymous brand took the 2022 Mother’s Day celebration a step further to honour and celebrate mothers love by offering them free BRT bus rides across different locations in Lagos.

Riding on the trending social media campaign Unconditional Love 27 which involved Nigerians expressing their views on what unconditional love means to them through a Twitter poll, and where many people voted Mother’s Love as the epitome of ‘Unconditional Love’; a yet to be identified brand collaborated with Lagos state Bus Rapid Transport to offer free rides at select terminals to mothers from Thursday, 24th March 2022 to Sunday, 27th of March 2022— Mother’s Day.

The select terminals include Ikorodu – CMS, Ajah – CMS, Ota to Oshodi, Ikotun – Cele – Oshodi, and Berger – Seven-up – Obalende. All the free buses are branded with the tag Unconditional Love 27.

The five days free BRT Ride initiative is geared towards saying thank you to precious mothers for their continuous Unconditional Love. It is aimed at making commuting within the Lagos metropolis more fun and pleasurable stress-free for mothers while they go about their daily businesses and activities this Mother’s Day period.

Commenting on the initiative, Mrs Joy Ada, a mother of two who boarded the bus at the Berger terminal said the awesome experience made her proud to be a mother.

“I am proud to be a mother. It was fun today as I enjoyed the journey to my destination without having to pay for it. I want to thank the organizers of this initiative for recognizing the role of a mother and supporting them in these hard times,” she said.


Another beneficiary, Mrs Ajayi Oluwatosin, a businesswoman with boutiques at the Oshodi area of Lagos expressed her joy at the free BRT bus ride at her terminal in Ikotun, saying that the experience would linger in her mind for the relief it brought.

“I am happy to benefit from the free bus ride. This is a commendable initiative to celebrate mothers,” Oluwatosin said.
What is #UnconditionalLove27 about? Who is behind this? Take a guess in the comments section.

 

 

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IWD 2022: Awosika Urges Women To Break Barriers, Support Each Other

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DLM Capital Group continues its commitment to celebrate and enable Women on International Women’s Day 2022. In commemoration of this year’s International’s Women Day, DLM Capital Group joined the global community to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also marking a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

In recognition of the importance of International Women’s Day and this year’s theme “Break the Bias”, the development finance institution organized a one-day virtual session with Dr. Ibukun Awosika as guest speaker where she spoke on “Speaking up against gender bias and rejecting stereotypes. She urged women at DLM Capital Group to change the narrative of being stereotyped or limiting themselves because they are women or because the society has compelled them to do. “Women need to continually be their own biggest fans and not tear each other down”, she said.

Also commenting during the session, Head of Operations, DLM Capital Group, Kelechi Eke, urged the women to use the opportunity to reflect and start some deep conversations, introspection and empathy towards the real issues and plights that women in the workforce face.

DLM Capital Group is a Developmental Investment Bank that provides innovative solutions to economic and social developmental challenges that impact the everyday lives of people. Since its inception, the bank has concentrated on creating markets, products, and long-term financing solutions to key sectors of the Nigerian economy that would benefit end customers to improve their well-being.  The investment bank comprises of subsidiaries in bespoke corporate finance advisory, trustee, asset management, and securities trading arms, to sovereign/sub-sovereign entities as well as private & non-private corporations. The bank thrives on funding sectors of the Nigerian economy using innovative financing techniques, in particular, securitization and other structured finance techniques.

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Women in Agile Africa Set to Hold Conference to Bridge Digital Skills Gap

by Women Times on

In its bid to foster equality and inclusion in the agile community, Women in Agile (WiA) Africa has concluded plans to host the Women in Agile (WiA) Africa conference slated to hold from 27th to 29th January 2022.

The organisers made the announcement at the press conference held recently at Chemline House – Training and Event Centre, Lagos.

The aim of the virtual conference is to create awareness and explore innovative opportunities for Africans by advancing Agile values and principles, and creating a safe space for networking and skills development while at the same time empowering women.

The 3-day conference is with the theme “Uniting & Transforming Africa Across Agile” and would be hosted in French, Portuguese and English Language. Also, it is a free to attend event but registration is compulsory via https://womeninagile.org/wiaafrica/

Emphasising on the importance of the conference, Mercy George Igbafe, Founder of Learntor, a digital capacity building outfit, said “As part of the efforts to help bridge the digital skill gap, and with support from a number of organisations, we are holding the Women in Agile (WIA) Africa conference. The three-day event is virtual and it has a theme: Uniting and transforming Africa across Agile, and it is free for participants but registration is compulsory.

“Our aim is to create awareness, exploring innovative opportunities for Africans by advancing Agile values and principles and creating a safe space for networking, developing new skills, sharing ideas and flourishing together,” she stated.

Also speaking on the forthcoming event, Bisi Alimi, Business Analyst, said the changing environment demands tech skills to match work that is available, adding that opportunities the conference comes with will help bridge the gap.

Similarly, the President of Junior Chambers International, JCI, Wale Bakare, said collaborating with Learntor on the WIA Africa conference would help expose more youths to the latest trends in the digital world.

A veteran Nollywood actor, Fred Amata pointed that age is not a barrier to learning new skills and urged women and others to attend the conference.

Women in Agile Africa Conference 2022 is dedicated to creating awareness, exploring innovative opportunities for Africans by advancing Agile values and principles, and creating a safe space for networking, developing new skills, sharing ideas, and flourishing together.

The organisers explained in a statement that “Agility is the ability to change quickly, taking into account previous experiences, adapting, and improving continuously. So, imagine an Africa that is transforming, renewing itself based on its history, through adaptation and continuous improvement.”

Noteworthy, Women in Agile is a nonprofit and collective effort to recruit, network, promote and support the work of outstanding women in the agile community through blogging, speaking at events, and building a network surrounded by people of all genders.

Basically, the Women in Agile community drives toward equality and inclusion of diverse representation, expertise, and involvement in the agile community. Its values the representation of diverse ideas and perspectives within the agile community, and believes everyone is better off when more ideas are openly shared. Also, Women in Agile enables diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

 

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2023 Elections: Online Resource Portal Unveiled For Women Aspirants

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Women politicians under the aegis of Women In Politics Forum (WIPF) has unveiled an online resource portal for women seeking elective positions in the 2023 general elections.

During the unveiling of the project tagged: ‘Nigerian Women Aspirants Website’, financed by an international human rights organization. WIPF also said that the mode of party primaries was not enough to bring the needed change expected to be seen in the country’s political process.

According to them, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and the National Assembly must take electoral reforms seriously.

The event was attended by many women including an aspirant for the Benue State House of Assembly and chairperson, League of Women Voters in Nigeria, Irene Awunah; Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi; Executive Director of 100 Women Lobby Group, Felicia Onibon and Executive Director of Payeodi, Jophia Gupar.

The President of WIPF and renowned gender activist, Ebere Ifendu, told Journalists that the time had come for women to use the 2023 election as a moment to right many wrongs such as marginalisation and injustices against women.

She said, “We had high expectations that the Electoral Bill would have been assented to by the President, unfortunately, that did not happen. We are in support of direct primaries, where every registered party member participates to choose their flag bearers.

“This would have opened up the space and made it more inclusive of women, youth and persons with disability.

“Considering that the mode of primaries is not enough to discard the Electoral Bill, we, therefore, call on the National Assembly, on resumption, to make the necessary changes to the Bill and forward to the President for his assent.

“We also urge Mr President to assent to the amended Electoral Bill as soon as it is represented for his assent.

“The 2023 elections are crucial and will determine the future of our electoral process.”

According to her, there had been a decline in the number of women elected into political offices from 5.6 per cent in 2015 to 4.7 per cent in 2019.

Ifendu however said all hands must be on deck to reverse the downward trend.

She said, “Lots of speculation exists as to why there was a decline in the percentage of elected female officials as opposed to the increase experienced between the 2011 to 2015 period.

“In order to address this decline, several civil society organizations, including WIPF, implementing partners and donor organizations have set different innovative projects to reverse these downward trends.

“And as you are aware, candidates are already declaring interest to contest at various levels in the 2023 general polls, including women. So, the website is set to provide accurate data about women in the poll and to answer significant questions surrounding the increase or otherwise of women’s participation in the Nigerian political scene.”

The Country Director of UN Women, Ms Comfort Lamptey, represented by its Programme Specialist (Women’s Leadership and Participation), Desmond Osemhenjie, said the United Nations had commenced the mobilisation of six million Nigerian women to participate in the continuous voters’ registration exercise by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

She said, “We are already in seven states working to ensure that before the end of the first quarter of this year, about six million women are registered through the INEC platform that is already ongoing.”

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Facebook, Instagram Accused of Rejecting Women’s Health Ads

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A recent report by non-profit organisation Center for Intimacy Justice (CIJ) done together with pelvic health start-up Origin has claimed that Facebook parent company Meta rejects ads on women’s health while allowing ads by men’s sexual wellness companies with sexual innuendos to run on Facebook and Instagram. According to the report, the categories of start-ups with rejected ads included menopause, pelvic pain, pregnancy or postpartum care, menstrual health, fertility, sexual wellness, education, and others. Meta commonly classified these health ads as “adult products” and the report claimed that “Meta appears to apply this policy unevenly”.

Ads from companies including VFit, Intimate Rose and Genneve were said to be censored by Meta. On the other hand, the report said that ads with sexual innuendos from men’s sexual wellness brands such as Hims and Manscaped were allowed to run on Meta’s platforms.

Of the 60 businesses studied in the report, all of them (100%) had experienced Facebook or Instagram rejecting an ad. Half of survey respondents also reported Facebook suspending their entire ad accounts. According to the report, 59 of the businesses were founded and led by women while the one business was led by a non-binary individual.

CIJ said that 44 women’s health companies participated in the survey and 42 of those had attempted to advertise on Meta. The survey was also distributed through women’s health founder networks on LinkedIn and by email. According to the report, Google, TikTok, and other ad platforms were also included in the survey and found to have rejected ads.

CIJ explained that the importance of changing Meta and tech platforms’ discriminatory policies is “far-reaching” because of the sexual health information access benefiting women and people of diverse genders. Doing so will also create a culture of equity and well-being in intimacy, as well as tech advancement and investment or funding for health of women and people of diverse genders, CIJ explained in its report. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to CIJ and Meta for comment.

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Meet Shatu Garko The First Muslim To Become Miss Nigeria 2021

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An 18-year-old Hijabi Shatu Garko has become the first Muslim to win the Miss Nigeria pageant since its inception in 1957.

Garko, who hails from Kano State, was crowned the 44th Miss Nigeria after beating 17 other finalists at an event on Friday, December 17, 2022, in Lagos. She was also the youngest contestant this year, winning N10m, a one-year residency at a luxury apartment, a brand new car and brand ambassadorship opportunities.

Speaking shortly before being crowned Miss Nigeria Garko said, “Winning this competition means a lot to me. I have always wanted to be a Miss Nigeria. I’d like to thank Miss Nigeria and its sponsors. I would also like to thank my mum for supporting and loving me.

Garko had earlier stated that she loves riding horses and is passionate about proving that religion and culture are not barriers to following one’s dreams.

Nicole Ikot was the first runner-up, while Kasarachi Okoro emerged the second runner-up. The winner of the 2020 edition of the pageant, Etsanyi Tukura, was present to hand over the crown to her successor at the ceremony.

According to the organisers, thousands of applications were submitted before it was pruned down to the top 37 and an additional three wildcard semi-finalists. Members of the public were also given a chance to contribute to the process of choosing the 21 finalists who made it into the Miss Nigeria Bootcamp, which was further cut down to the top 18 finalists.

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Funke Akindele, Toke Makinwa reveals BBNaija 2021Favourite housemates

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Nollywood star Funke Akindele and Toke Makinwa  also a Nigerian celebrity have revealed their favourite Season 6 BBNaija housemates.

About 22 housemates were introduced into the BBNaija ‘Shine Ya Eye’ house.

The housemates for the duration of 72 days would compete for the prize money worth N90m

Funke Akindele on her Instagram page on Sunday disclosed that she loves Liquorose and would be rooting for her this season.

Her post read: “I love her @Liquorose, I’m a huge fan of all her dance videos.

“Can’t wait for you to shine darling.”

On the other hand, Toke Makinwa on her Twitter page took interest in Peace who was the second female housemate introduced into the house.

Her tweet read: “I like Peace already, cute as a button, small but mighty love her vibe.”

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Nollywood Actress Idowu Philips Bags an Honorary Degree From a Nigerian University

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Nigerian Nollywood actress Idowu Phillips  with her role name Mama Rainbow has scored another impressive feat and she happily shared the good news with members of the online community.

Mama Rainbow in a post shared on her official Instagram page told her fans and followers that she recently bagged a honorary degree from a Nigerian university.

She was spotted in an academic garment in a series of photos posted on her page. She was flanked by two security officials in the pictures.

Fans, colleagues in the entertainment industry flooded her comment section with congratulatory messages

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