Dr. Rasha Kelej Honoured by Vogue India for Driving Health, Education and Gender Equality in Africa
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, has been featured by Vogue India in an article celebrating her innovative approach to social change across Africa and beyond. Titled “Leading with Courage and Conviction: Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej on empowering women, advancing healthcare, and transforming media in Africa”, the feature explores how Dr. Kelej combines art, fashion, and media to tackle pressing social and health issues.
Dr. Kelej’s initiatives address a range of challenges, including infertility stigma, gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, child marriage, and public health concerns such as diabetes and hypertension awareness.
Speaking about the feature, she said: “I have been a long-time Vogue reader, and I am truly delighted to be featured by Vogue India for my creative approach to driving social change. Africa is a continent full of vibrant culture, colour, and creativity, and I’ve always believed that fashion, art, and media can be powerful instruments to inspire positive change, beyond just entertainment.”
Her innovative programmes include the Our Africa TV programme, animation films, children’s storybooks, songs, and awards recognising excellence in media, music, film, and fashion design. These initiatives aim to engage audiences and raise awareness of critical social and health issues in a relatable and impactful way.
Dr. Kelej has been recognised as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans for six consecutive years, from 2019 to 2024. Under her leadership, the Merck Foundation has received multiple 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 India feature also highlights Dr. Kelej’s strategic partnerships with over 28 African First Ladies, showcasing their collective efforts to transform healthcare across the continent. Through the Merck Foundation, more than 2,250 scholarships have been awarded to young doctors across 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties.
The article also spotlights the Educating Linda programme, which provides 800 scholarships to high-achieving yet underprivileged African schoolgirls, helping them complete their education and reach their full potential.
Dr. Kelej added: “I’m proud that this work is being recognised and shared as a meaningful case study with Vogue readers around the world.”
The full Vogue India article offers deeper insights into Dr. Kelej’s impactful initiatives and the far-reaching work of the Merck Foundation across Africa and beyond.
