Entries are therefore invited from African media professionals in print, online, radio and multimedia platforms to showcase works, which raises awareness about infertility, prevention, treatment and breaking stigma in Africa.

The award would recognise outstanding health journalists and other general Journos, who would produce accurate, informative and compelling stories about infertility in women and couples.

Categories of prizes are multimedia USD 3,000 with print, online media and radio attracting USD 1,000 each, with the last date of submission being pegged on March 31st, next year. Dr Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation said "I strongly believe in the critical role the media play in sensitising communities. We therefore created these awards to enhance greater awareness, aimed at changing the cultural and social perceptive and narrative by patients seeking treatment.

She said in many cultures, childless women suffer discrimination, stigmatisation to isolation, disinheritance and frequent assault cases, when research shows men were responsible for more than 50% of infertility cases.

She called on interested journos to visit their website at www.merck-foundation.com for additional information and upload entries to mystory@merckmorethanamother.com Merck Foundation focuses primarily on improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), with special focus on women and the youth.

These were contained in its release available to the Ghana News Agency.