Global Survivors Fund
Hugo van der Merwe is an experienced professional in the field of advocacy and research, currently serving as the Head of National Advocacy and Technical Support at the Global Survivors Fund since October 2022, after previously holding the position of Senior Advocacy and Policy Officer. Prior to this, Hugo van der Merwe spent over two decades at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, where roles included Senior Research Specialist, Director of Research, Learning and Knowledge, and Transitional Justice Programme Manager. Earlier in the career, Hugo van der Merwe worked as a Research Coordinator at the Community Dispute Resolution Trust from January 1992 to August 1996. Academic qualifications include a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University, a BA Honours in African Studies from the University of Cape Town, and a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Sociology from the same institution.
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Global Survivors Fund
We believe that all survivors of conflict-related sexual violence from around the world must have access to reparations and other forms of redress- no matter if the states or other parties responsible for the violence are unwilling or unable to provide reparations. We place survivors at the centre of our work, co-creating the reparative journey with them; from programme conception, to design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Our approach is rooted in the knowledge that survivors, as right-holders, are best placed to explain what their needs are. Our three pillars of Act, Advocate, and Guide ensure that our programmes are tailor-made to the unique challenges and opportunities of each conflict or post-conflict situation where we work while collaborating with multiple stakeholders. We use a holistic approach in all our work to respond to the interconnected consequences that conflict-related sexual violence has on people.