Many Ugandan spend years of a nightmare in marriage without children; they can’t conceive. If there is any herb that they don’t use for their barrenness, then it does not grow on planet earth; that is how a trying period it is for them.
But, Merck, leading a science and technology company, today continues their commitment for the second year to empower infertile women in Uganda through improving access to information, health, change of mindset and economic empowerment.
Through “Empowering Berna”, Merck in partnership with Uganda Ministry of Health inaugurates today small businesses that been established this year to support infertile women across the country.
Speaking at the event, Belén Garijo, Member of Executive Board and CEO of Merck Healthcare emphasized: “I believe in women empowerment and especially childless women – they are mistreated and discriminated in many cultures for being unable to have children and start a family”.
Empowering these women through access to information, health, and change of mindset to remove the stigma of infertility is needed.
Through “Merck More than a Mother” we are supporting this strong message together with our partners and we will continue our commitment to improve access to regulated and effective fertility care in Africa.”
The day’s program also included a courtesy visit to Uganda’s First Lady H.E. Janet Museveni at State House, Kampala by the Merck delegation to brief her on the “Merck More than a Mother” initiative and to explore possible areas of collaboration.
Over 1,000 infertile women in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, CAR, Ethiopia, Liberia and Cote D’Ivoire who can no longer be treated have been empowered socially and economically to lead independent and happier lives through “Empowering Berna”.