Kenya Launch Event June 2015

Merck launches “More than a Mother” campaign in Kenya – Belén Garijo: "Decrease stigmatization" – Collaboration with the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association Merck, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association, launched the “More than a Mother” campaign as part of the Merck Capacity Advancement Program. The campaign will first be implemented in Kenya and progressively rolled out in further African countries. In some cultures, childless women still suffer discrimination, stigma and ostracism. As such, a central difficulty associated with infertility is that it can transform from an acute, private distress into a harsh, public stigma with complex and devastating consequences. An inability to have a child or to become pregnant can result in being greatly isolated, disinherited or assaulted. This may result in divorce or physical and psychological violence. “Providing access to infertility care is important, but it is even more important to intervene to decrease stigmatization and social suffering arising from this condition,” said Belén Garijo, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Merck Healthcare, during her meeting with the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association to kick off the campaign. Prof. Koigi Kamau, University of Nairobi stressed: “Through the “More than a Mother” campaign, we will challenge the perception about infertile women, their roles and worth in society, both within and beyond the medical profession in order to achieve any systemic shift in the current culture of gender discrimination in the context of fertility care.” The program will provide medical education and awareness for medical

“We are happy to announce the kickoff of our social media campaign together with the University of Nairobi the Kenya Women of Parliament Association and Kenya Fertility Society and to invite you to join us in a conversation on Twitter handle: MerckAndMothers and Facebook page ‘Merck More Than a Mother’ and YouTube Channel ‘Merck More Than A Mother’. We will discuss together how we can reduce the social suffering and stigmatization of infertile women and raise awareness about male infertility in Kenya and the rest of Africa”, said Rasha Kelej, Vice President and Head of Global Business Responsibility and Market Development at Merck Serono the biopharmaceutical business of Merck.