In the traditional African setting the most important role for women was childbearing so as to ensure the continuity of the community. Those women who were unable to conceive were often stigmatized and isolated with some even assaulted by their spouses. Given the fact that back then there were no fertility tests, inability to conceive was always blamed on the woman even though the man could have been the cause. As a matter of fact male factors contribute towards half of all cases of infertility. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data more than 180 million couples in developing countries which is about one in every four couples suffers from primary or secondary infertility. It is due to that Merck a global pharmaceutical company started the “Merck More than a Mother” initiative.
The Merck more than a Mother initiative aims to empower women who are unable to conceive through access to information, education, health and change of mind-set. It will also support Governments to define policies that improve access to safe and effective fertility care and address the need for interventions to reduce stigmatization and social suffering of infertile women. They also intend to work in partnership with academia and international fertility societies to provide medical education and training for healthcare providers and embryologists to build fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.
Through this initiative Merck has been able to touch the lives of various women who have suffered due to their inability to conceive. Take the case of Noonkipa Enole Mpalush a 55 year old Maasai woman. Her husband left her 15 years ago because she could not bear children. During the marriage she was constantly faced the blame for the lack of children and had to endure many traumatic situations. She shared that being an oppressed Maasai woman was the worst thing that could happen to anyone. As part of the initiative to empower and train women so that they can re-build and lead independent and happier lives, Merck has provided Noonkipa with two cows to enable her to become a productive member of society. Each cow can produce 6 liters of milk per day. With the two cows she will be able to make Ksh.600 per day which is more than enough to sustain her and enable her live a good life.
Noonkipa with her two cows
The story of Jackline Mwende is perhaps the most publicized in regards to the challenges that women face due to the inability to conceive. Jackline had her hands cut off by her husband due to the fact that she could not bear him children despite the fact that it was the husband who had an issue. The Merck initiative came to her aid by building a house for her and also setting up a mini mart in her home village in order to help her sustain herself.
Merck yesterday inaugurated their initiative at Olympic Primary School in Kibera where they equipped their library with a Computer Lab to encourage young girls to study science and technology.