Bidisha Pillai is the director and representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific Island Countries.
Ms Pillai brings over 30 years of leadership and expertise in advocacy, strategic partnerships, programme management, and policy influence.
Previously, she served as UNFPA’s representative in Liberia, where she led efforts to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and youth empowerment.
Ms Pillai has held multiple leadership positions, including as Global Policy, Advocacy, and Campaigns director at Save the Children International, where she spearheaded global advocacy initiatives.
She also served as the CEO of Save the Children India, leading a team of 400 professionals and overseeing large-scale development programmes across the country.
Earlier in her career, she worked with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in India, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and various CSOs, focusing on child rights, gender equity, and public health.
According to UNFPA, Ms Pillai has consistently delivered impactful results at scale over the years, especially by fostering strategic partnership with governments, local communities, and other key stakeholders, private sector and media.
Through a collaborative approach, Ms Pillai has facilitated collective ownership, optimised resource utilisation, and enhanced programmes and policies through technical assistance.
Ms Pillai is a passionate advocate for women and children’s rights, quality education for all, gender equity, ending violence against women and children, and ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health rights for all.
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated April 26, 2025
