By Mackie M. Jalloh
At the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit and Health Media Training, powerful voices converged to highlight the critical intersections between infertility, gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and the urgent role of media in shaping Africa’s narrative on women’s health and dignity.
The summit, attended by high-level stakeholders including journalists, health professionals, and First Ladies from across Africa, spotlighted infertility not just as a medical concern, but as a deeply social and psychological crisis affecting millions of individuals, particularly women. According to WHO data shared during the sessions, one in six individuals globally will experience infertility, a number that dispels the myth that fertility is automatic in African and Mediterranean contexts.
Dr. Francisca T. Bwalya, a consultant psychiatrist and Zambia’s National Mental Health Coordinator, delivered a stirring presentation that went beyond statistics. She explored the deep emotional trauma faced by infertile women—ranging from verbal abuse to divorce, mood disorders, and community exclusion. She emphasized that in patriarchal societies, infertility is still largely considered a woman’s problem, despite scientific evidence showing equal contribution from men.
Dr. Bwalya also stressed that gender-based violence—both physical and psychological—directly and indirectly contributes to infertility. “How do we expect a woman who has been raped, beaten, or mentally abused to nurture her reproductive health?” she asked. She urged the media to highlight lesser-known forms of GBV, such as economic manipulation, verbal degradation, and mental harm, which are rarely reported but leave lasting scars.
The link between child marriage and infertility was another theme that emerged repeatedly. When young girls are married off early, often before their bodies are biologically ready, they suffer long-term reproductive damage. The same is true for girls subjected to FGM, a practice still alarmingly prevalent in countries like Sierra Leone (90%), Somalia (98%), and Egypt (87%). These brutal cultural practices not only violate human rights but also jeopardize maternal health, fertility, and psychological well-being.
Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, set the tone for solutions, urging African media professionals to move beyond awareness to action. “We have the data. Now we need the stories that humanize the issue,” she said. Media professionals were trained not just to report, but to contextualize and localize global health frameworks in culturally resonant ways that can inspire behavioral change.
One of the most practical recommendations was to use social media platforms and community radio as tools for mass education, emotional support, and referral pathways. The media was urged to create discussion forums on infertility, to spotlight community champions, and to engage men and religious leaders in dialogue. Dr. Bwalya stressed that even educated and exposed women often remain silent about GBV and infertility due to cultural shame. Media, she said, must become a bridge between the invisible pain and public healing.
Another dimension was the mental health impact of fertility stigma and GBV. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are often ignored in reproductive health conversations. Mental illness in women, said Dr. Bwalya, “isn’t always visible—but it’s real, and it affects families, productivity, and national health outcomes.”
The summit called for a pan-African media strategy to tackle the interconnected crises of infertility, GBV, child marriage, and FGM. Speakers urged journalists to focus on solutions, not just the problems. Stories of recovery, resilience, and reform must accompany stories of pain.
In summary, the Merck Foundation Health Media Training was more than a seminar—it was a call to transformative action. Infertility, GBV, child marriage, and FGM are not isolated issues. They form a complex web of oppression that demands media engagement, public empathy, and political will. As journalists return to their newsrooms, they carry a powerful responsibility: to use storytelling as a tool of justice, healing, and change.