Merck Gulf, Ovasave organized Fertility Unfiltered to discuss women’s health in the UAE

Dubai played host to a gathering with a mission: talk plainly, and loudly, about women's fertility. The event, Fertility Unfiltered, co-hosted by Merck Gulf and Ovasave — the UAE's first femtech startup — brought together a cross-section of healthcare professionals, corporate decision-makers, and brave women who've walked the path of reproductive uncertainty.

The aim was to break the silence, challenge the stigma, share real stories, and give women in the UAE the tools — and the confidence — to take control of their reproductive health.

How did it work?

At the heart of Fertility Unfiltered is a simple but powerful idea: if you want to change outcomes, start by changing the conversation.

• The event featured a panel and fireside chat that tackled everything from egg freezing to workplace support.
• Personal testimonies — from the likes of Fade Fit's Brianna Fade and choreographer Rhea Harmoush — made the science feel human.
• Medical insight came from Dr. Dalia Khalife, a reproductive health specialist, who grounded the emotional narratives in clinical fact.

Merck Gulf and Ovasave aren't just talking the talk. Last year, their Fertility Your Way campaign delivered more than 500 free AMH tests to women across Dubai and Abu Dhabi via mobile clinics — many parked right outside office buildings.

"Fertility isn't just a medical issue — it's emotional, cultural, and deeply personal," said Torkia Mahloul, co-founder and CEO of Ovasave. "We're turning conversations into action by making advanced fertility support accessible at home."

Why does it matter?

It is estimated that infertility affects one in six couples in the UAE. And the country has one of the highest rates of secondary infertility globally. These aren't just numbers. They're missed chances. Delayed decisions. Silent struggles.

The World Health Organization's 2023 report found that 17.5% of people worldwide experience infertility. That's nearly 1 in 5 people walking through life with a question mark over their future family plans.

As Sarrah Barakat from Merck Gulf put it, "Our goal is to ensure women in the UAE have access to cutting-edge healthcare solutions and the confidence to make informed decisions." And it's not just about information. It's about empowerment — about creating space for women to "embrace their choices with strength and clarity."

The context

Talking about fertility in the UAE — or anywhere, really — isn't always easy. There's cultural hesitance, workplace awkwardness, and that persistent whisper that says, maybe just keep it to yourself.

That's exactly what Fertility Unfiltered aims to fix.

The event's interactive art installation, "Layers of Her," invited attendees to peel back the emotional layers tied to fertility — grief, hope, frustration, joy. It created a rare safe space for people to open up.

More broadly, the event spotlighted the growing movement in the UAE to prioritize women's health — not as a side issue, but as a central pillar of well-being and productivity. The collaboration between femtech innovators and industry leaders shows that meaningful change doesn't just come from policy — it comes from platforms, conversations, and yes, even pop-up clinics.

Or as Mahloul put it, "This can't happen in isolation. It's a collective responsibility."