The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio has called for support to be given to women dealing with infertility issues, and the need to avoid stigmatization, as men equally go through infertility issues that is less talked about.

The First Lady made this call while speaking as a Guest of Honor for Africa’s First Ladies at the 9th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa, Asia Luminary 2022, at the Hilton Hotel, Habtoor City, Dubai.
She said that women in Africa go though extreme societal stigmatization whenever they are faced with issues of infertility, as the African society often blames women for childlessness.

Fatima Bio spoke of her firm belief that something can be done to change the myth and stereotype surrounding infertility issues, pledging her support through her Office to advocate on infertility issues. She added that through her Hands Off Our Girls Project.

She has championed gender equality issues, rape and early marriage in a Sierra Leone, which is now being replicated in other West African Nations.

‘’I believe babies are made by two people, hence the issue of infertility should be dealt with holistically and not in isolation,” she asserted.

The First Lady pointed out that she has been spotlighting gender equality and children’s welfare issues since she was at the tender age of 16, which was way before she became First Lady in 2018.

Her Excellency continued by highlighting the issues women go through each day, stating that their silence remain disturbing, which is why she chose the Hands Off Our Girls Campaign which deals with raising awareness on issues of rape\sexual penetration, early marriage and fistula, and gives every woman and girl a voice to speak up and reclaim their lost glory, which is why the campaign has become a global phenomenon.

She noted that Merck Foundation has helped trained over 40 doctors in Sierra Leone in different medical fields such as cancer, palliative care, and oncology, adding that they will be of immense help to the people of Sierra Leone through the 500 bed hospital medical facility project she is currently undertaking at the 34 Military Hospital in Freetown and other government establishments in the country.

CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Asia Luminary, Dr. Rasha Kelej acknowledged African leaders for being part of the significant strides the foundation has made in dealing with health issues in Africa.

“I am proud to share with you all that Merck Foundation has provided more than 1470 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries in 32 critical and underserved specialities such as Diabetes oncology with many of them becoming the first specialists in their countries”, she opined.