Source: NPR
An international organization called the Merck Foundation is working to empower women in Burundi and Africa to not feel ashamed when they are faced with infertility.
Its “More Than a Mother” campaign seeks to help women not feel shame and understand that there is more to life than having children, while teaching men to not shame women and know that men face infertility too.
This specific message has been important in Africa where infertility rates are higher than anywhere in the world, due to infections, such as STDs, according to an analysis by Facts, Views and Vision in OB-GYN.
Merck has developed songs and videos that speak positive messages to women who face infertility and also works with those who want to find a way to have children through workshops, consultations, education, partnerships and more.
“‘Not much [in terms of funds and research] is going on for maternal health right now — priorities are shifting elsewhere. Merck is one of the few organizations that prioritize women’s health in developing countries’ through research, partnerships with local health care institutions and public education, explains Jocelyn E. Finlay, a senior research scientist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Read Full Story: NPR