First Lady Monica Chakwera hails Merck Foundation summit as catalyst for Malawi’s development goals

By Burnett Munthali

The Office of First Lady Monica Chakwera has hailed the 7th edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit as a timely and impactful platform for renewing Malawi’s developmental momentum.

The summit, which is currently underway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), brings together African First Ladies and stakeholders committed to advancing healthcare, education, and gender equality across the continent.

According to the Office of the First Lady, the gathering is particularly crucial for Malawi as it provides new inspiration and strategic direction for the country’s ongoing social transformation agenda.

The summit is seen as a critical opportunity to reinvigorate the vision and programs under the Shaping Our Future Foundation (Soff), a flagship initiative championed by Monica Chakwera.

The First Lady’s office emphasized that the Merck Foundation’s platform aligns well with the foundation’s goals, especially in empowering girls, supporting women in science and healthcare, and ending stigma around infertility and other health conditions.

Participation in this high-level engagement, the office noted, strengthens Malawi’s partnerships with other nations and international organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in underserved communities.

Through the MFFLI Summit, the First Lady has also been able to showcase Malawi’s achievements and challenges in sectors such as reproductive health, capacity building, and education, drawing on regional experiences for shared learning.

The Merck Foundation’s continued collaboration with African First Ladies, including Malawi’s, has proven essential in driving sustainable health and development initiatives at national levels.

By attending the summit, Monica Chakwera is reaffirming her commitment to placing vulnerable populations—especially women and children—at the center of Malawi’s development discourse.

The Office of the First Lady has expressed optimism that the outcomes of the summit will further enhance Soff’s impact on the ground, by integrating innovative approaches and global expertise into its programs.

As the summit continues, the First Lady is expected to engage in a series of panel discussions and side meetings aimed at strengthening partnerships and mobilizing support for grassroots empowerment.

For Malawi, the MFFLI Summit represents more than just diplomacy; it is a platform for advocacy, leadership, and renewed national energy toward inclusive development.

The success of such international engagements underscores the importance of collaborative leadership in addressing the continent’s most pressing social and health challenges.

The Office of the First Lady concluded by reaffirming that Monica Chakwera’s presence in Dubai is a bold step toward securing transformative solutions that will shape a brighter, healthier, and more equitable future for all Malawians.