YWCA equips women, young women, and girls to lead with confidence and drive change. By nurturing their strengths and creating opportunities, YWCA amplifies their voices and supports them to take their place as decision-makers—in families, communities, and on the global stage. 

Youth empowerment and transformational leadership: YWCA’s motto is to empower young people especially young women and girls to be part of the solution in the fight against gender inequality, social exclusion, inequalities, and disempowerment. Youths are agents of positive transformation not only in terms of physical oppression but also structural, cultural oppression and broader social change process to transform violent, oppressive, and hierarchical structures, as well as behavior, relationships, and attitudes into more participatory and inclusive ones. YWCA supports transformational leadership opportunities for women, young women, and girls to become leaders and change-makers who not only protect their rights and impact their communities but inspire and mobilize their peers to do the same. In recognizing young women and girls’ strengths and capacities YWCAs provide opportunities for them to demonstrate and develop their leadership skills so that their voices are heard, and they take their rightful place as decision-makers at home, in their community or on the global stage. Some groups of young women are more vulnerable to human rights violations than others (young women living with HIV, living with a disability, living in rural areas, who are poor, out-of-school, from ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTQI+, etc.) and so it is particularly important to reach out to these more marginalized young women and include them in every stage of the transformative leadership journey. Transformational leadership is a process that changes and transforms individuals and is the ability to get people to want to change, improve, and be led.

Intergenerational Leadership: Different generations hold different strengths and there are innumerable venues to facilitate two-way knowledge transfer. Among the members, 33% are youth enlightened with education, culture, and social values. Senior generations have perspective and influence, younger generations have numbers and connectedness with technology & digital life, which is why now is the time for intergenerational leadership. YWCA creates spaces where intergenerational conversations and solutions can take place and form can harness the collective power needed for transformative or system change.

A collaborative, transformative, and intergenerational approach that centers on young women’s leadership is vital to sustaining a bold, progressive women’s movement. YWCA focuses on building and nurturing a strong, transformative, and intergenerational network of women leaders, with programs led by and for women in response to the unique needs and opportunities they see in their communities. YWCA members from different tiers emphasized for embedding a transformational leadership development approach for the members and community women leaders as well. YWCA will ensure that its leadership efforts are community-driven and informed by local, community, national, and regional realities. 

Objectives

• To promote the leadership of young women to lead social transformative initiatives through raising their voices, setting goals, providing guidance, and mobilizing them for claiming and practicing rights.
• To create a space where young women and alumni share their knowledge, experience, and thoughts and recognize intergenerational leadership to fulfill human rights, gender equality, and transformative changes.
• To introduce and promote safe spaces to ensure that young women have judgment-free and supportive places to engage and lead.

Outcomes

• Young women from different tiers of the organization and communities leading changes that directly impact their lives e.g., gender equality, peacebuilding, health, education, livelihood, and environment, etc.
• Ability and capacity of young women are recognized by the champion women, and they are given the space to lead, guide, and act as decision-makers.
• A safe space created in the organization and community where women, young women, and girls can express their views, opinions, and thoughts judgmental free.

Actions

• Build transformative leadership capacity of the youth members and leaders of the community and champion opportunities for young women’s participation in all levels of decision-making structures.
• Create opportunities for continuous leadership training/sessions and intergenerational sharing and dialogue.
• Mobilizing women, young women, girls, community leaders, and local resourceful individuals to promote collective actions.
• Expose and link the youth leaders to national and regional level activism for acquiring updated knowledge and skills
• Create safe spaces to arrange dialogue, conversations, participatory analysis, personal reflections, etc. on challenging and sensitive issues to dismantle harmful gender stereotypes and systemic change and promote a respectful environment at local and national levels.

Bangladesh YWCA: Achievements in Youth Empowerment and Leadership Development

As a member-driven organization, the YWCA of Bangladesh places its members—especially youth—at the center of its mission. Members serve as the foundation and driving force behind the association’s activities and vision. Through its 13 local branches, YWCA actively nurtures youth leadership, personal growth, and skills development, ensuring that young people are equipped to become change makers and future leaders.

Key Achievements in Youth Empowerment

1. National Youth Committee Meeting

• Objective: To facilitate collaboration, review progress, and guide strategic planning for youth initiatives across branches.
• Activity: Annual meetings at YWCA headquarters bring together youth convenors and representatives from all 13 branches.
• Participation: Youth convenors from 13 local YWCAs, National Youth convener and national senior staff.
• Outcome: Reports and strategic plans are shared, promoting networking, leadership, and decision-making among youth leaders.

2. Youth Internship Programme

• Objective: To provide practical, hands-on experience in program planning and youth engagement.
• Activity: Launched in 2023, the three-month internship exposes selected youth leaders to planning, organizing, and implementing youth-focused initiatives, while working closely with the national office.
• Outcome: Interns gain practical leadership skills, program management experience, and mentorship, preparing them for future leadership roles within the organization and community.

3. Girls on the Move

• Objective: To foster personal growth, confidence, and empowerment among young women.
• Activity: An annual flagship event attended by ~80 participants from 13 branches. The program includes workshops, panel discussions, cultural contests, sports, and excursions, centered around themes such as “My Dream, My Journey.”
• Outcome: Builds confidence, sisterhood, and leadership capacity among young women, while providing exposure to diverse skill-building activities.

4. Health and Wellness Workshop

• Objective: To promote holistic health, mental well-being, and physical fitness among youth and staff.
• Activity: Annual workshop featuring motivational talks, interactive exercises, and practical guidance on maintaining healthy lifestyles.
• Participation: 40–50 participants.
• Outcome: Participants gain practical tools and knowledge for improving physical and mental well-being, enhancing resilience, and fostering overall personal development.

Online Advocacy and Awareness Initiatives

Bangladesh YWCA actively utilizes digital platforms to extend its outreach and raise awareness on critical issues affecting women, young people, and marginalized communities. Through online campaigns, webinars, social media posts, and interactive discussions, YWCA provides information, resources, and guidance on key issues such as sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence (GBV), mental health, climate justice, and youth empowerment.

Objectives

1. Raise Awareness on Critical Social Issues:
   • Provide accurate, accessible, and timely information on sexual and reproductive health, mental well-being, and gender-based violence.
   • Reach a broader audience beyond physical program locations, including youth, parents, and community leaders.
2. Promote Behavioral Change and Positive Practices:
   • Encourage safe practices, help-seeking behaviors, and gender-equitable attitudes among target audiences.
   • Support mental health awareness and self-care practices.
3. Strengthen Community Engagement and Participation:
   • Create interactive spaces for discussion, Q&A sessions, and knowledge sharing.
   • Engage youth, women, and marginalized groups in advocacy initiatives and campaigns.
4. Support Survivors and Vulnerable Groups:
   • Provide guidance on legal rights, referral services, and access to support networks for survivors of violence.
   • Facilitate digital campaigns on child marriage prevention, sexual harassment, and women’s rights.
5. Enhance Visibility and Outreach of YWCA:
   • Strengthen YWCA’s presence in the digital sphere to promote its programs, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives.
   • Build strategic online networks with partner organizations, youth groups, and civil society actors.

Key Activities

• Social Media Campaigns: Awareness messages on GBV, reproductive health, mental health, and climate action shared across platforms, reaching thousands of followers.
• Webinars and Online Training: Virtual sessions for youth, women, and community members covering rights, health, and advocacy issues.
• Digital Advocacy: to mobilize public support for women’s rights and social justice.
• Resource Sharing: Digital toolkits, infographics, and guidance documents shared to educate and empower communities.

Impact

• Reached over 2,500–3,000 individuals annually with critical awareness messages.
• Increased understanding of sexual and reproductive health, GBV prevention, and mental health support among target groups.
• Strengthened online networks and collaborations with partner organizations, enabling broader advocacy on women’s rights and social inclusion.
• Supported empowered digital participation of youth, women, and community members in national campaigns.

Through strategic online advocacy and awareness initiatives, Bangladesh YWCA ensures that critical messages on health, rights, and social justice reach a wide audience especially younths, empower communities, and promote meaningful action. By combining digital engagement with on-the-ground programs, YWCA maximizes its impact in fostering gender equality, mental well-being, and inclusive participation.

Impact

Through these initiatives, YWCA has successfully:

• Strengthened youth leadership and organizational engagement across 13 branches.
• Built the skills, confidence, and capacity of young women and youth leaders.
• Promoted holistic development including leadership, health, personal growth, and civic engagement.
• Ensured sustainable youth participation in planning, decision-making, and program implementation.

Bangladesh YWCA’s investment in youth empowerment underscores its commitment to developing the next generation of national leaders and change makers. Through structured programs, leadership opportunities, and capacity-building initiatives, YWCA continues to nurture confident, skilled, and socially responsible youth, who are equipped to contribute meaningfully to community development, gender equality, and social justice.