Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej featured in Vogue India for empowering women and transforming healthcare in Africa
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, has been featured by Vogue India in an article titled Leading with Courage and Conviction: Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej on empowering women, advancing healthcare, and transforming media in Africa. The piece celebrates her unique use of art, fashion, and media to address critical social challenges including infertility stigma, girl education, gender-based violence (GBV), female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and health awareness campaigns on diabetes and hypertension.
Dr. Kelej expressed her delight at being featured, noting her long-time connection to Vogue and her belief that Africa’s vibrant culture and creativity can drive meaningful change. “Fashion, art, and media can be powerful instruments to inspire positive change—beyond just entertainment,” she said. This philosophy has inspired Merck Foundation’s innovative initiatives such as Our Africa TV program, songs, children’s storybooks, animation films, and awards for outstanding media, music, film, and fashion designs, each aimed at raising awareness on sensitive health and social issues.
Driving partnerships and healthcare transformation across Africa
Recognized among the 100 Most Influential Africans for six consecutive years (2019–2024), Dr. Kelej has led Merck Foundation to win accolades including NGO of the Year in 2022 and 2024, Most Influential NGO Shaping Africa’s Future, and the Best Health Sector Philanthropy Award in 2023.
The Vogue feature also highlights her work in building strong partnerships with over 28 African First Ladies to expand access to healthcare across the continent. Under her leadership, Merck Foundation has awarded more than 2,250 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries in over 44 underserved medical specialties.
Through its Educating Linda program, the foundation has provided 800 scholarships to high-performing but underprivileged African schoolgirls, enabling them to continue their education and reach their full potential. These combined efforts showcase Dr. Kelej’s vision of sustainable, people-focused change that bridges culture, health, and education.
