When
we read stories of individuals and organisations who go beyond their
call of duty to help other people. It is in this light that we’re happy
to share the story of the work being done by the “Merck More than a Mother” initiative – to help women suffering from infertility...
Smithloaded shared the videos of some of the beneficiaries of the Merck More than a Mother initiative. {Click here if you missed it}
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“Merck More than a Mother” initiative will support Jackline Mwende, the recent victim of infertility stigma, throughout the rest of her life after having her hands chopped off by her husband for failing to bear children. Merck aims to empower infertile women across the continent through access to information, health and change of mind-set through their initiative that been launched in June 2015 “More than a Mother”
“Merck More than a Mother” initiative will support Jackline Mwende, the recent victim of infertility stigma, throughout the rest of her life after having her hands chopped off by her husband for failing to bear children. Merck aims to empower infertile women across the continent through access to information, health and change of mind-set through their initiative that been launched in June 2015 “More than a Mother”
“Jackeline Mwende, a young woman of 27
years from Machakos County in Kenya whose both hands were chopped off –
not by thieves but by her own husband for failing to bear children. It
is so shocking that someone would go to such an extent to batter his own
wife and leave her nearly dead. Infertility should never be a reason to
separate, hurt or kill your partner. There are so many options out
there available to manage infertility” said Hon. Joyce Lay, Member of
Parliament and the Ambassador for ‘Merck More than a Mother’ in Kenya.
“Through -Empowering Berna- project,
Merck will support Jackeline Mwende throughout the rest of her life to
empower and enable her to become an independent productive member in
society. ‘Merck More than a Mother’ initiative will provide Mwende with a
monthly income of $250 , then will establish a business for her in
which she will be able to generate a sustainable monthly income of not
less than $250. In addition she will get the needed physical and
physiological rehabilitation to enable her to support herself and stand
on her own two feet despite the challenge of her brutal disability that
was caused by the stigma of infertility – even though her husband is the
one who was found with the infertility problem, yet she is still the
one who bore the devastating consequences of the public stigma
associated with it.” said Rasha Kelej, the Chief Social Officer of Merck
Healthcare.
Hon. Joyce lay, Jackline Mwende and her parents receive the support from “Merck more than a Mother”
“Mwende didn’t deserve what she went
through and especially that her husband is the one who was found with
the infertility problem and not her. Society, government and all
stakeholders need to continue to join hands with Merck in their campaign
to encourage the acceptance people live with infertility because the
stigma associated with infertility puts pressure on them to a point
where they do crazy and criminal things. We need to know that it’s a
shared responsibility, not just for the couple but for the society too,”
Joyce Lay added.
Hon. Joyce lay, Jackline Mwende and her parents receive the support from “Merck more than a Mother”
“Jackline Mwende’s story is the reason
all people should appreciate ‘Merck More than a Mother’ initiative. No
sane person should torture a woman for failing to produce children. Men
should not think that their failure to be a biological father is due to
women’s infertility. Why torture a fellow human being and inflict such
permanent bodily harm for a fault that could be yours?. No amount of
justice in the courts of law will bring back Mwende’s arms. Justice will
only prevail if Mwende’s case marks a turning point in society that
appreciates one fact- “that women are women irrespective of their
ability to bear children. They need to be respected,” emphasized Hon.
Sarah Opendi, Uganda Minister of State of Health and Uganda ambassador
of Merck more than a Mother.
“This terrible violence Mwende suffered
has emphasised the significance of ‘Merck More than a Mother’ initiative
for Africa. ‘Merck More than a Mother’ will continue working closely
with partners to create a culture shift and to empower infertile women
economically and socially through “Empowering Berna” Project to ensure
no other woman in Africa should ever go through such violence,
humiliation or misery again,” Rasha Kelej emphasized.
About “Merck more than a Mother” initiative
In many cultures, childless women still suffer discrimination, stigma and ostracism. Infertility can transform from an acute, private distress into a harsh public stigma with complex and devastating consequences. An inability to have a child or to become pregnant can result in being greatly isolated, disinherited or assaulted. This may result in divorce or physical and psychological violence.
In many cultures, childless women still suffer discrimination, stigma and ostracism. Infertility can transform from an acute, private distress into a harsh public stigma with complex and devastating consequences. An inability to have a child or to become pregnant can result in being greatly isolated, disinherited or assaulted. This may result in divorce or physical and psychological violence.
Jackline Mwende with her parents at their home in Machakos, Kenya
“Merck More than a Mother” initiative
aims to define interventions to reduce the stigma and social suffering
of infertile women, empower them and raise awareness about male
infertility and the necessity for a team approach to family building
among couples across the continent.
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), lower levels of development are thought to be
associated with higher levels of non-genetic and preventable causes of
infertility. For instance, poor nutrition, untreated sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), unsafe abortion, consequences of
infections caused by the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) or
child marriage, exposure to smoking, leaded petrol and other
environmental pollutants can lead to infertility.
About “Empowering Berna” Project
“It is very important to empower infertile women through improving access to awareness, health and change of mindset so they can bear children as part of their human rights. In case they can no longer be treated, ‘Empowering Berna’ project will contribute towards empowering and training them to establish their own small business so that they can be independent and re-build their own lives, a woman is more than a mother, ‘Empowering Berna’ initiative will prove this every day.” Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer of Merck Healthcare.
“It is very important to empower infertile women through improving access to awareness, health and change of mindset so they can bear children as part of their human rights. In case they can no longer be treated, ‘Empowering Berna’ project will contribute towards empowering and training them to establish their own small business so that they can be independent and re-build their own lives, a woman is more than a mother, ‘Empowering Berna’ initiative will prove this every day.” Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer of Merck Healthcare.
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