Let’s end infertility stigma, says First Lady

Malawian First Lady Gertrude Mutharika, who has just been awarded by the Merck Foundation for her efforts in reducing stigma against infertility  and capacity building in maternal health, has urged her fellow first ladies to help  end the stigma associated with infertility on the African continent.

First Lady Getrude Mutharika with Uganda First Lady at the meeting
First Lady Mutharika in Ghana where she received maternal health award
First Lady Getrude Mutharika with Merck CEO and co-founder Dr Rasha Kalej at the meeting in Accra, Ghana

Speaking during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative committee meeting in Accra, Ghana, madam Mutharika urged the First Ladies to partner with different stakeholders to promote the dignity of women and families who don’t have children of their own.

She also said  it was important demystifying the cultural and traditional stigma associated with women who are not able to get pregnant was important in finding a solution to the reproductive challenge.

Mutharika said  as an ambassador for  ‘Merck More Than A Mother’  initiative in Malawi, she will continue working with ministries and other stakeholders to ensure  ending the humiliation many women are made to go through because of their infertility.

“As first ladies we must realize that every health problem in Africa is everybody’s responsibility therefore requires us as mothers and role models to work together to end the stigma,” she said.

Mutharika told the meeting that in partnership with Ministry of Education, her Beautify Malawi Trust has launched the Limbani’s Story Book, which is highlighting some challenges people who don’t have children go through and possible available solutions to some infertility problems to use it in educating children about the strong family values of love and respect.

So far, 18,000 books have been distributed to over 300 secondary schools in Malawi.

The Merck Foundation, an international organisation that tackles infertility, cancer and diabetes,  observed that  Mutharika has, within a short time, contributed to the well-being of mothers and children in Malawi through the partnership between her Trust, Beam and the Merck foundation.

The two organisations are implementing the ‘More than a Mother’ initiative in several districts nationwide  together  with the Ministry of Health.

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CRIMINAL MINDED
CRIMINAL MINDED
5 years ago

Nsindikupanga nawo kkkkkk first lady by tipex my foot

Ashamed Cadet
Ashamed Cadet
5 years ago

Kodi a Malawi timve ziti pa dzana a Ben Phiri akuti vasectomy yikufunika kuti tisachulukane koma lero a Getrude akuti akufuna wose amene sabereka ayambe kutero. Tiziti mu Bomamu muli nzeru? APM where are you when the policies in your gafumeti are contradicting. The project of your wife is a failed one because of the increasing population and has no relevance. How many people out there are barren to make a huge meal out of it? These people can be treated at the individual level in hospitals. Akazi anuwa asamatibowe popeza tikudziwa kuti wupolofesa wawo wukubvuta chopanga nawo. Asatisokoso…. zafeki… Read more »

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