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MERCK, a leading science and technology company, announced today, Wednesday, March 15, that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Republic of Liberia and Africa’s first female head of state, awarded a ‘Medal of Honour’ to Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, chairman of Executive Board and Family Board of E. Merck KG, in recognition of Merck’s efforts to empower African women and girls in the fields of science and technology where they are currently under-represented.

The award is also to recognise ‘Merck More than a Mother’ which aims to empower infertile women in Liberia and across the African continent.

Receiving his award Stangenberg-Haverkamp said: “I am very proud to receive this African Medal of Honour which is very important for Merck as a leading company in science and technology as it recognizes its commitment to Africa’s social and economic development.”

“Real economic growth and prosperity that will ensure not only all basic needs but also quality of life for African people can never be achieved without the economic empowerment of women and youth. Therefore we firmly support these programs to build capacity and empower women and youth in Africa,” Stangenberg-Haverkamp, said.

“As a Ministry we have made a decision to partner with ‘Merck STEM Program’ to empower our girls in science and technology. This program is very important for Liberia and Her Excellency President of Republic of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is very interested to make this program a great success,” Julia Cassell, Liberia’s minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said.

“To mark International Women’s Day and in recognition of the important role women can play in the economic and social development of Africa, Merck is empowering women and girls to participate in STEM where they are currently under-represented, through the ‘Merck STEM Program’. We are especially women at Merck very proud of this award because it is from our role model, Africa’s First Female president and Head of State of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf”, Rasha Kelej, chief social officer of Merck Healthcare, said.

Merck inaugurated the initiative at Victoria Tolbert School in Liberia where it equipped its library with computer and science labs to encourage young girls to study science and technology and become the future physicians, scientists and engineers.

STEM Project by Merck is the first external support Victoria Tolbert School gets since its establishment by Her Excellency the head of state of Liberia for underprivileged and vulnerable girls.

—  Mar 15, 2017 @ 19:30 GMT

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