Ms. Bidisha Pillai is the Director & Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific Island Countries, a position she assumed in March 2025.
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.
Before joining UNFPA, Ms. Pillai 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 Chief Executive Officer 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 civil society organizations, focusing on child rights, gender equity, and public health.
Over the years, Ms. Pillai has consistently delivered impactful results at scale, especially by fostering strategic partnership with governments, local communities, and other key stakeholders including the private sector and media. Through a collaborative approach, she has facilitated collective ownership, optimized resource utilization, and enhanced programmes and policies through technical assistance.
She 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.
