Tanzania / Mumbai, Dec 13: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in collaboration with African First Ladies, announced the winners of the Merck Foundation SONG Awards 2023. The awards were presented under two key themes: “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension.”
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” campaign, along with African First Ladies serving as campaign ambassadors, unveiled the winners. Dr. Kelej expressed her excitement, stating, “It is an honor to announce the winners of these impactful SONG Awards alongside my dear sisters, the African First Ladies. Songs hold immense power to address societal and health issues across Africa, and this year’s entries have been truly exceptional. Their lyrics effectively conveyed meaningful messages, inspiring dialogue and action within communities.”
The “More Than a Mother” awards aimed to tackle social issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girls’ education, ending child marriage, eliminating FGM, combating gender-based violence (GBV), and empowering women. Meanwhile, the “Diabetes and Hypertension” awards focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of these conditions.
