About Us

Victoria Satchwell

BA Hons, MSc

Executive Director and Co-founder

Health economist and reproductive rights advocate with expertise in abortion policy, digital service design, and feminist models of care. She co-led the national abortion guideline revision for South Africa’s Department of Health and has experience supporting telemedical abortion care internationally through her work with Women on Web.

Kate Gardner

BSc Hons, MSc

Operations Manager and Helpdesk Coordinator

Operations and systems specialist supporting digital service delivery and internal coordination at Abortion Support. Kathryn has a background in research, scientific data analysis, and operations, with experience in non-profit marketing.

Dr Louise Gilbert

MBBCh, MPH, Dip HIV Man, H Dip Sexual Health & HIV Med

Medical Supervisor

Medical doctor with over 15 years of experience in the South African NGO sector. Expert in sexual and reproductive health, HIV, and public health. Former Clinical Quality Lead at Marie Stopes South Africa.

Dr Ntlotleng Mabena

MBBCh, MPH, Dip HIV Man, DTM, PGDip Clin Forensic Med, LGBTHP&P

Medical Supervisor

Public health clinician, academic, and social justice and social medicine activist whose passion lies in working with marginalised women, ensuring access to quality primary health care services. Through her organisation, Open House Initiative, she provides psychosocial support to young queer females and supports them to lead productive, empowered lives.

Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile

BA

Co-founder

Campaigns and communications specialist with expertise in feminist media, digital advocacy, and storytelling for social justice. Former media lead for the Total Shutdown movement and digital campaigns manager at Oxfam South Africa. Currently Campaigns Specialist at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Kwara Kekana

BCom, BA Hons

Strategic communications and public affairs specialist with expertise in health equity and advocacy. Former Spokesperson to the Gauteng MEC for Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously a board member and spokesperson for BDS South Africa.

Kezia Lilenstien

BCom Hons, MCom

Development economist specialising in research for evidence-based policy making. Her work focuses on poverty, inequality, and unemployment dynamics in South Africa. Currently Associate Programme Officer at UNU-WIDER, with prior research experience at the University of Cape Town.

Olga Wyngard

LLB, LLM

Admitted attorney working in the television and media industry. Olga is the vice-chair of one of the national arts festivals and a board member of another. She understands the challenges of NPOs and the importance of good corporate governance.

Venny Ala-Siurua

MSc

Executive Director, Women on Web

Leader in digital health and reproductive rights. She holds expertise in digital rights and online censorship of reproductive health information.

Dr Suzanne Veldhuis

MSc, MD, PhD

Advocacy and Research Coordinator, Women on Web

Member of the IPPF International Medical Advisory Panel (IMAP). Former Medical Coordinator at Marie Stopes México.

Dr Marijke Alblas

MD

Medical Doctor, Abortion Provider Trainer (retired)

Khanyisa Mapipa

LLB, LLM

Head of Health Rights Programme, Section27

Health rights attorney and expert in reproductive and migrant health policy.

Asiphe Funda

LLB, LLM

Health Rights Attorney, Section27

Specialist in sexual and reproductive rights and improving access to quality public healthcare.