Radhika Bhirani/IANS

Macau, Jun 12: Acclaimed actress Shabana Azmi, who has been championing varied social causes, won the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Global Leadership Award here Friday. She is now looking forward to strengthening women's role in facilitating global change in all fields.

Her hard work in denouncing AIDS and communalism and improving lives of slum dwellers won her the award. The award was presented to Shabana by IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan.

"It falls upon global leaders in whichever field - business, economy, arts - to concern themselves with issues like economic meltdown, global warming and terrorism. There is a need to follow the best practice and to apply a code of ethics to all transactions. Only then can we all look forward to be together for a cause," said Shabana in her acceptance speech.

"Time and again we women say we are different from men - not better not worse but different - and with this difference we need to be included in the global change that is taking place. I feel this award is a step ahead," she added.

The actress is known for her powerful performances in acclaimed movies like "Masoom", "Arth", "Mandi" and recently released "Morning Raga", "15 Park Avenue" and "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd".