YWCA of Bangladesh

The YWCA of Bangladesh believes that when women and young women lead, they can transform the world for the better. Established in 1961 as a voluntary association under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Rules, 1978, and later renewed under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act, 2016, YWCA operates under the NGO Affairs Bureau and the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies Ordinance, 1961. Its motto, “By Love Serve One Another,” underpins its work, which focuses on collective action for the empowerment of women, young women, girls, and children, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.

The YWCA of Bangladesh is committed to advancing peace, justice, and human dignity, contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From its humble beginnings with 27 members in 1961, it now boasts around 2,500 members and approximately 750 staff members. With 13 local branches in 12 districts, covering 29 sub-districts, 77 unions, and 261 villages, YWCA reaches over 90,000 women, young women, girls, and children.

Affiliated with the World YWCA since 1979, the organization is part of the largest women’s movement globally, which operates in more than 100 countries, empowering 10 million women, young women, and girls. The strength of YWCA of Bangladesh lies in the dedication of its leaders—past and present—whose service continues to advance the organization’s mission at both local and global levels.

YWCA is committed to building women’s capacity as leaders, advocates for gender equality, and active participants in community mobilization. Its programs focus on women’s/girls’ health, education, livelihood, and combating issues such as child marriage, dowry, and gender-based violence. The organization collaborates with service providers and partners to raise awareness, share resources, and mobilize joint actions to protect the rights of vulnerable communities.

YWCA’s leadership programs aim to empower women, young women, and girls to become change-makers, advocates for their rights, and leaders who inspire their peers to do the same. The organization embraces a collaborative, intergenerational approach to leadership development, ensuring that efforts are community-driven and responsive to local realities.

YWCA operates 13 paid schools, 8 free schools, and one community school, providing quality education to approximately 14,000 students. The schools focus on nurturing students’ skills in articulation, creative thinking, social norms, and moral discipline. YWCA also emphasizes inclusive education, which ensures that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a stable, supportive, and developmentally enriching learning environment.

YWCA prioritizes women’s health, focusing on reproductive health, maternal care, mental health, and the prevention of diseases such as breast and cervical cancer. The organization provides affordable health services, addressing issues like malnutrition and maternal mortality, with a special emphasis on the needs of poor women and girls.

 YWCA promotes economic justice by advocating for equal opportunities, income equality, and access to financial resources for women. Through micro-credit programs, self-employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship support, YWCA empowers women to break the cycle of poverty and enhance household incomes.

The organization engages women, young women, and girls in environmental protection efforts, such as tree plantation campaigns, reducing plastic use, and raising awareness on climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness.

YWCA promotes peacebuilding through trust-building, conflict resolution, and addressing the underlying causes of violence. The organization works collaboratively with different stakeholders to strengthen democratic norms, rule of law, and social cohesion within communities.

YWCA uses advocacy as a powerful tool to increase women’s participation in state services such as education, health, and security. It works with both duty-bearers and rights-holders to ensure access to rights in areas like economic opportunities, education, healthcare, and legal support, particularly for marginalized women and girls.

YWCA continuously works to improve its internal systems and processes to enhance its effectiveness, increase collaboration, and ensure the sustainability of its programs.

By focusing on these areas, YWCA of Bangladesh seeks to create a world where women, young women, and girls are empowered, their rights are respected, and they are leading change in their communities.