WOMEN WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Noeleen Heyzer: "Pushing Boundaries to Make a Difference"

Noeleen Heyzer is the first woman to occupy the position as the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations.

She is at the helm of a huge task - to build economic and social foundations for inclusive and sustainable societies in the Asia Pacific region.

Noeleen's desire to serve and make changes at an international level stemmed from her constant exposure to and awareness of people who have to deal with injustices.

"I kept seeing the cost of injustices, the cost of discrimination throughout and it was constant. I needed to take action, "said Heyzer from her Bangkok office.

The results of her desire to bring about significant change are clearly seen in many of the life changing policies for thousands of women she has helped create in the developing world.

For women in the developed world, who have countless opportunities, Heyzer sees no limits.

"We were told once upon a time we can't have it all," says Heyzer, referring to what most women nowadays aspire towards.

"I believe we can. We can have healthy families, children and a good career. But we can't do this alone. We need to have men as partners." says Heyzer.