Together we empower women and youth in science and technology

We believe that empowering women through education is an important factor in promoting the economic well-being of Africans. Many literatures have shown that there are strong links between educating women and girls and positive outcomes for economic empowerment, social mobility and maternal health. It is also believed that women’s unemployment in a nation’s workforce is a waste of valuable human capital that has a negative impact on economic prosperity and national development.

Girls and women are systematically tracked away from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), throughout their education, limiting their access, preparation and opportunities to go into these fields as adults.

Women make up only 28% of the workforce in STEM, and men vastly out-number women majoring in most STEM fields in college. The gender gaps are particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, like Computer Science and Engineering.

Therefore, Merck Foundation started their STEM Program to empower not only Women but also Youth in Science and Technology in Africa.

Our STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) partners with global and local institutions and organizations to empower women and young people in the areas of science and technology. We see education as an important factor in promoting economic well-being in Africa.

As part of Merck Foundation STEM Program for Women and Youth

Merck Foundation has conducted 5 editions of “Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit” in partnership with African Governments. MARS brings together researchers and policy makers from across Africa to prepare for the road ahead in Africa’s development as an international hub for excellence in scientific innovation and define interventions to empower women and youth through education in general and in STEM in particular.

As part of our contribution towards improving access to healthcare solutions & the social and economic development of Africa. We conduct MARS Awards annually, to recognize the “Best African Women Researchers” and “Best Young African Researchers” with the aim to empower African women researchers & young researchers, advancing their research capacity and promoting their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).