Sudan
“Conflict zones aren’t dead zones. People still work, people still live, people innovate and people thrive with what they can, for often they feel they have no choice. When you hear conflict you think of it as a far away phenomena that impacts I don’t know 9 million people in country X. But each of these 9 million people likely adored their country they created small joys and routines and, they belonged, they enjoyed their tea outdoors, they enjoyed dusting off their entry ways in the mornings, and they enjoyed their strolls back from the mosque after fajr prayer. Peace is to be embraced by what you value.”
Shahd Hammou is a gender, peace and security specialist and has led complex programming focusing on the resilience, recovery and social cohesion of local communities. She is the Vice Chair of the Standards Committee, of Interpeace’s Finance For Peace initiative, that seeks to systemically change how private and public investment supports peace.
Shahd is a gender, peace and security specialist focused on bridging vital sectors to foster systemic change. In the third sector, she engages with communities through her roles with international NGOs, serving as the Programme Lead for Women, Peace & Security for Mercy Corps in Sudan, and as a Programmes & Partnerships Specialist for Girl Effect in Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Through this work, Shahd has collaborated with grassroots communities, governments and decision-makers – advancing programme, policy and advocacy initiatives related to gender, governance and peace.
In the private sector, Shahd has worked on corporate sustainability and social impact strategies through ESG and CSR with the Haggar Group in Sudan – bridging the gap between the private sector and the communities they profit from and impact.
Shahd has led complex programming in Sudan across tumulus scenarios, including coups and war – focusing on the resilience, recovery and social cohesion of local communities. In these roles, she has collaborated with both civil society and international organisations, dedicated to representing and empowering marginalised groups and advancing socio-economic initiatives in the pursuit of peace, equity and inclusive growth.
Shahd has a background in economics and is currently reading for an MSt in Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School.