Downtown Africa
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has continued to raise awareness about breaking the infertility stigma, supporting girl education and following best practices during the second and third wave of coronavirus in Africa. To this end, Merck has announced, in partnership with H.E. Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, The First Lady of Nigeria and Ambassador of ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother,’ six awards across media, music, film making and fashion. Although this award was announced in Nigeria, it is also taking place in the rest of Africa in partnership with African First Ladies. The awards include the following:
1. Media Recognition Awards: This award is open to media representatives to showcase their work to raise awareness about Infertility Prevention, Breaking Infertility stigma, and Empowering Girls and Women through Education. The deadline for entry submission for this award is 30th August 2021.
2. Film Awards: This is open to African Filmmakers and Students to create and share a FILM or a DOCUDRAMA to deliver strong and influential messages to break Infertility stigma, and /or Empowering Girls and Women through Education and at all levels.
3. Fashion Awards: The Fashion Award is open to African Fashion Students and Designers to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about Infertility Prevention, Breaking Infertility stigma, and/or Empowering Girls and Women through Education. The submission deadline is 30th August 2021.
4. Song Awards: The Merck Foundation Song Awards invite African Singers and Musical Artists to create and share a SONG with the aim to Empower Girls and Women through Education and at all levels.
5. “Mask Up With Care” Media Recognition Awards: This Award invites media representatives are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness on how to adapt best protection measures such as wearing your masks to show you care and love your family & community; to encourage your community to choose to vaccinate when it is available and to sensitize them to support healthcare workers who are at the forefront of COVID 19 pandemic. Submissions are open until 30th September 2021
6. “Make Your Mask” Fashion Awards: All African Fashion Designers and Students are invited to create and share designs of masks and other clothing items that carry messages to encourage people to wear masks to show they care and at the same time make it creative and fun!
In her comments, H.E. Dr. Mrs. AISHA MUHAMMADU BUHARI, The First Lady of Nigeria and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother stated that After the huge success of the first editions of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards and “Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards 2020, she is very happy to launch 2021 edition of Merck Foundation awards. She remarked that through these awards “we would like to encourage our media, fashion, film making and music fraternity to raise awareness on the important topics of breaking the stigma around infertility, underscoring the importance of girls’ education and women empowerment at all levels.” She said that she also appreciates the Coronavirus theme-based awards strategized by Merck Foundation during this second and third wave of coronavirus will help in raising awareness about continuing the best practices and also show support to frontline workers in the country.
This article was adapted from a press release distributed by APO Group. You can start earning money by becoming our Independent Reporter or Contributor. Contact us at IR@downtownafrica.com
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