RealPlayer

"In my television programs and articles I emphasize women's right to say 'yes' and 'no.' I help them stand up for their own sexuality and emotions. I hope to bring women and men together, living happily in equality and with respect." -- Goedele Liekens

Profile

Goedele Liekens is a well-known television personality in Belgium. Her television career began in 1986. Before then, Ms. Liekens was a successful practicing psychologist-sexologist. She has made the understanding and improvement of human sexuality and relationships the focus of her professional life. Goedele worked as a sex therapist for The Rutgers Foundation and wrote the best-selling book, "69 Questions about Sex." She has created a series of self-help therapy videotapes with Dutch sexologist Jelto Drenth and has written extensively for women's magazines.

Ms. Liekens, together with Face to Face International and Belgian Partner Sensoa (formerly CGSO Trefpunt), has produced several made for television documentaries for UNFPA. She has reported on AIDS and fistula in Africa and women in the refugee camps of Pakistan.

Based on several visits to Botswana, Ms. Liekens produced a special report for Belgian television on the HIV/AIDS crisis in Botswana.

Activities

28 July 2004. UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Visits Kabul Ms. Liekens traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan, to visit key institutions and projects supported by UNFPA, including the Khair Khana Hospital, the Women’s Vocational Training Center at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Central Statistical Office. Ms. Liekens has also been to Ethiopia and Namibia in her capacity as both TV journalist and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, reporting to the Belgian public and politicians on fistula, sexual and reproductive health in refugee camps and HIV/AIDS.

6 April 2002. “Afghanistan Has Made Me into a Different Woman” -- an Interview with Goedele Liekens by Chris Snick

March 2002. UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Seeks More Support for HIV/AIDS Efforts

22 May 2001. Least Developed States Demand Strongest Measures Against HIV/AIDS

January 1999. Dr. Reginal Moreels, Belgian State Secretary for Development Cooperation, was on hand to announce the appointment of Goedele Liekens as UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador to Belgium.

Priorities

HIV/AIDS, youth empowerment

Website

Goedele Liekens' web site