Hanke comes to ASAP with a wealth of experience having worked as independent consultant in the field of HIV, gender and SRHR since 2011. Hanke brings a unique perspective to her work, using her expertise in international policy making in parallel with her training as a cultural anthropologist to analyse what is happening on the ground.
At the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hanke was assistant to the AIDS Ambassador. She was the focal point for key populations, with responsibility for relations with partner organisations, and was the co-ordinator of the IS Academy – a partnership between academic institutions and the Ministry designed to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
Her research as a cultural anthropologist includes the gender transformative approach in relation to adolescents’ social realities in Uganda, and on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of sex workers in Bali.
For several years, Hanke was closely involved with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, acting as a focal point for the “0.7″ Delegation and supporting the Board member Ambassador Wijnroks. She has also lectured at the University of Amsterdam on Dutch foreign policy on AIDS.
Earlier in her career, Hanke worked at an international women’s fund. Her work has led her to live in Tanzania, Uganda and Guatemala among others, and her areas of special interest now include sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) policy development and implementation, youth, gender, and key populations.
Hanke’s work as an independent consultant has led her to working with various clients including the Bill Gates foundation and STOP AIDS NOW!. For ASAP, Hanke has worked on two projects with PMNCH. For the Global Fund Hanke led the team analysing the gender-responsiveness of Global Fund Round 8 & 9 HIV programmes and will soon be undertaking further work in this area.
Hanke speaks Dutch, English, German, and French and has a working knowledge of Spanish and Swahili. Based now in Oegstgeest, in the Netherlands, she says of what drives her in her work with ASAP and why she’s so passionate about working in AIDS policy:
It is exciting to be working with colleagues from all over the world who share the same commitment: to end AIDS and contribute to improved health and development outcomes. I am particularly passionate about ensuring that quality research and evidence is used to inform health policy