Merck Foundation CEO Dr. Rasha Kelej is calling for families, schools and communities to do more than provide girls with access to education, arguing that encouragement and sustained support are also essential to helping them reach their potential.

Kelej made the case in a new leadership article shared through her virtual Mentorship and Leadership Platform, Beyond Power; Leadership, Global Influence and Impact. The platform is intended to provide mentorship, leadership insights and practical guidance, particularly for women and young future leaders in Africa, Asia and other Global South countries.

Support beyond scholarships

According to Kelej, scholarships and educational opportunities are most effective when girls also have supportive conditions at home, in school and within their communities. She said family expectations, community attitudes and social norms can influence both a girl’s educational journey and the opportunities available to her.

“Providing girls with access to education is essential, but it is equally important to create an environment where their abilities are recognized, their ambitions are encouraged and their futures are supported,” Kelej wrote.

She added that a girl’s potential may be constrained by the expectations placed on her rather than by her abilities. Parents, teachers and community leaders, she said, have an important role in valuing girls’ education, encouraging them to continue learning and supporting their aspirations.

Kelej also stressed the need for practical and sustained assistance, including educational resources, time to study, a safe learning environment and support when girls face difficulties.

“When girls are encouraged to learn, given time and resources to study, and supported in overcoming challenges, they are better positioned to develop their confidence, pursue their ambitions and build a brighter future,” she said.

Role of community leadership

The article highlights the role of African First Ladies in promoting girls’ education, challenging gender stereotypes and encouraging positive attitudes toward girls’ learning. Kelej said their leadership, advocacy and community engagement can help families and communities make girls’ education a priority.

The discussion comes alongside Merck Foundation’s Educating Linda programme, which provides scholarships to academically promising girls from underprivileged backgrounds to help them continue their education.

Describing the message behind the programme, Kelej said: “Through our Educating Linda program, our commitment to education carries a wider message: believe in a girl’s potential, give her the opportunity to develop it and support her throughout that journey.”

She suggested that parents, teachers and community leaders reinforce that message with words of encouragement: “You can learn. You can improve. We will help you keep going,”

Kelej has said she is committed to sharing 32 years of knowledge and experience through the mentorship platform. The article is available through the platform on Substack, which is presented as an accessible resource for aspiring leaders.