Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany organized the first "Merck Foundation Health Media Training" on 20th March 2019 in Bujumbura, Burundi in partnership with Denise Nkurunziza, the First Lady of Burundi and Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother together with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Communication and Media to break the stigma around infertility in Burundi and the rest of Africa.
The training program was a part of 'Merck More Than a Mother' community awareness Program and was organized for the first time in Burundi for local media representatives.
"I am delighted to initiate this important training session as I strongly believe that media plays a significant role to influence our society to create a cultural shift. It has the capacity and ability to break the stigma around infertility in the community", explained Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a Mother.
The training was addressed by the First Lady of Burundi, Denise Nkurunziza, who is also the Ambassador of Merck More Than A Mother and Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a Mother and Frederic Nahimana, Minister of Communication and Media, Burundi. It was also addressed by stalwarts of Media and top Infertility experts.
It will also provide a great opportunity for the journalists to meet the experts and also to network with each other and work as a unit to eradicate the stigma around infertility in Burundi and the rest of Africa. It was attended by journalists working for Print, TV, Radio and Online media.
"The Merck Health Media Training program will focus on the international standards and media ethics for reporting sensitive issues like infertility in Africa. It was designed to benefit the journalists in understanding the infertility issues in African communities and to learn the best media practices to cover such issues," explained Denise Nkurunziza, the First Lady of Burundi.
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Merck Foundation also announced Call for Application for "Merck More Than a Mother", "Media Recognition Awards" for Burundi and rest of Africa. The "Merck More Than a Mother", "Media Recognition Awards" were launched in 2017 with the aim to emphasize the role of media in enhancing the public engagement and understanding of infertility stigma and the need to change its social perception in African communities.
The applications are invited by media professionals to showcase their work to raise awareness about infertility prevention and breaking infertility stigma in Burundi and the rest of Africa.
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