Chattogram is the second largest city and commercial capital of Bangladesh. The city is located on the banks of the Karnaphuli River between the Chattogram Hill Tracts and the Bay of Bengal in southeastern Bangladesh. Surrounded by mountains, sea and valleys, Chattogram city is known as the Queen of the Orient for its natural beauty. It is the busiest seaport on the Bay of Bengal. YWCA was established in 1973 in this commercial capital, Chattogram.

On January 1, 1973, the General Secretary of Dhaka YWCA, Ms. Asrukana Das (later the founding National General Secretary of Bangladesh YWCA), came to Chattogram and organized a meeting at the auditorium of St. Placid’s School, a renowned missionary school in Chattogram. Several women and young women from various Christian churches in Chattogram were present at this meeting. The meeting was presided over by Ms. Basanti Das. Respected Ms. Asrukuna Das, General Secretary of Dhaka YWCA, discussed in detail the history, foundation and goals of the establishment of the World YWCA. She said the journey of the Young Women’s Christian Association began in England in 1855 and was founded by Ms. Emma Roberts and Ms. Arthur Kinyard. Ms. Emma formed a prayer group with a few women. At the same time, Ms. Ortler began working for the welfare of women in London. At that time, the Crimean War was going on in Europe. Nurse Florence Nightingale called on the women of Great Britain to serve the wounded soldiers in the field. A crowd of women seeking a livelihood gathered in the city of London. But seeing the lack of security, jobs, and uncertain future of all those women in the city, the pragmatic Ms. Ortha felt the need for a women’s organization. Where women who have left such villages will find shelter, receive formal education, and have opportunities for self-employment. After discussing women’s welfare activities at a meeting, Ms. Emma and Ms. Ortha decided to merge the prayer group, the women’s home, and other institutions and run them through a single organization and Spiritual and social welfare activities for women and the purpose of this organization will be to preserve the Christian faith to provide spiritual, moral, social and intellectual care, safe shelter, employment, training and to establish harmony and communication with other similar organizations for women of all classes. The YWCA was formed with this mindset that day. Ms. Asrukana Das discussed the beginning of the Dhaka YWCA as well as the goals and objectives of the organization. At the end of the discussion, She wanted to know everyone’s opinion on whether such an organization is necessary in Chattogram. Everyone presents at the meeting raised their hands in agreement, and on that day, January 1, 1973, the journey of the Chattogram YWCA began.

First a temporary committee was formed. The committee members were – Ms. Basanti Das, Ms. Bernadette Roy, Ms. Nihar Halder, Ms. Nirupma Pare, Ms. Rebecca Halder, Ms. Niroja Halder, Ms. Jharna Das, Sister Evelyn, Ms. Ethel Saha. At the beginning of the organization from 1973 to 1975 Chattogram YWCA had no office of its own. Meetings were held at the homes of various members, regular meetings and general meetings were also held at St. Placid’s School Auditorium, Teacher’s Room, Patharghata Cathedral Church Community Centre.

The first president of the organization was Ms. Basanti Das. In the beginning the activities of the organization were general meeting, Bible reading and prayer, collection of subscription, increase of membership, discussion meeting on issue-based topics, sports and have some snacks etc. At that time Ms. Ethel Saha was in charge of the general secretary. Ms. Ethel resigned in April 1976 and served as General Secretary to Ms. Anima Podda for 6 months from May 1976 to December 1976.

In October 1975, the first office room was rented for the organization at a monthly rate of Tk 150 at Patharghata Cathedral Church Community Center and the income raising activities of the organization started. At this time Nursery School program was started with Spoken English Course, Sewing Course and taken one more room for rent. In 1977 YWCA office was shifted to PatharghataBangshal Road. Mr. Kundababu’s small tin shed house was rented for 300 taka per month and the activities of the organization were conducted. In 1977, the first unpaid school program was started in Jail Para in Patenga Katgarh area. But due to some problems this school was closed in 1978. From January to June 1977 Ms. Nihar Halder and from July to December 1977 Ms. Dorothy Martin served as part-time General Secretary.

In January 1978, Ms. Sinthia D’Rozario took over as General Secretary.  In 1978, after renting a house in Kazir Deori area, the Chattogram YWCA office was shifted to the new working area and a new academic school and other activities were started. At that time, the number of students in the paid school was 35 people. There were also spoken English and sewing courses and an unpaid school with 150 students in Kazir Deori’sDhopa Para. Bangladesh YWCA was formed in 1979 and Chattogram YWCA was included as a branch of Bangladesh YWCA.

With the help of Bangladesh YWCA, Chattogram YWCA staff received various trainings and the activities of Chattogram YWCA began to expand with the advice and guidance of Bangladesh YWCA. Meanwhile, the scope of work of Chattogram YWCA increased along with the number of students in the school. Due to lack of space to conduct activities in that area, another house was taken on rent in 1980 next to Biman office in Kazi Deori area.

In 1981, a small-scale garment project was started and in 1983, free school, health project work and practical education programs were started in the slums of Lalkhan Bazar Pora Colony. That year a large two-storied house was rented in Kazi Deori area and training courses in dancing, singing and typing were conducted. In 1984, the student population of paid School increased to 400 and the school was run in two shifts. The organization’s activities and workforce increase. In 1989 Chattogram YWCA office was shifted to Chanmari Road in Lalkhan Bazar area. The activities of Chattogram YWCA increased and everyone felt the need for its own building of Chattogram YWCA to run all the activities smoothly.

By God’s grace, 44 decimal of the land was purchased for Chattogram YWCA in 1990 on Khaza Road in Baddarhat area with the combined efforts of Bangladesh YWCA and Chattogram YWCA.

At present the activities of Chattogram YWCA are being conducted in its own office. Chattogram YWCA own office has Primary and Lower Secondary School, Guest House and Training Center, Sales Center for students, Savings and Credit Programme, Art Classes, Spoken English Course, Sewing Course and other activities of YWCA are running with reputation. In 1990, Chattogram YWCA started savings and credit program by forming the first team in Gomdandi village of Boalkhali Thana with the aim of socio-social development of poor rural women. Along with this, practical classes are also conducted with team members.

On April 29, 1991, a catastrophic cyclone and flood occurred in Chattogram. This storm caused extensive damage to people’s lives in the southern part of the country. At this time, with the cooperation of Bangladesh YWCA, Chattogram YWCA distributed food and clothing to about 4000 families in Patenga Katgarh Ward 40, Bandartila Ward 39, Pora Colony Basti, Banshkhali and Boalkhali areas of Lalkhan Bazar and Patenga constructed houses and provided financial assistance to 200 families in sub-oceanic areas and 200 families in Banshkhali areas.

Since 1993, Chattogram YWCA has started community development projects in Patenga Ward No. 40 for the development of people affected by cyclones and floods. Activities include free schooling for underprivileged children, savings and loan programs for socio-economic development of disadvantaged women and health services.

In 2000, a red brick 4 storied school building of 3000 SFT was constructed on its own land in order to conduct quality education programs of Chattogram YWCA in its own school building. Bangladesh YWCA, Norwegian Donor Organization, Bangladesh YWCA Founder National General Secretary Ms. Asrukana Das and Norway Buskurud YWCA Ms. Turid Werrum and other well-wishers made special contribution in this construction work.

From 1990 to 2000, the number of students in the school was 400. In 2000, the number of students started increasing after the new school building was constructed in Bahaddarhat area. The efforts of all the member workers of Chattogram YWCA were to achieve the goal of self-reliance of the organization and to maintain the quality standards of the schools and to ensure the quality education of the children of the area by establishing quality schools. During that time, the teaching staff received a lot of training for school management with the help of Bangladesh YWCA, following which it was possible to manage the primary school activities properly. From inception to 2021, the YWCA Primary School operated from Nursery to Class 5. Secondary school program started from 2022. 6th class started in 2022, 7th class in 2023, 8th class in 2024 and 9th class in 2025. The number of students in 2025 is 1412. We expect to start 10th class program gradually in 2026. In 2022, another building was constructed on Chattogram YWCA’s own land in Bahaddarhat area for carrying out the office of Chattogram YWCA and other activities. The contribution of Bangladesh YWCA National General Secretary Ms. Helen Manisha Sarkar, Bangladesh YWCA Board and staff, local board, Norwegian donor organization and Ms. Turid Werrum and other well-wishers in the construction of this new building is undeniable. At present, office activities, training center, guest house and vocational school activities are being conducted in the new building.

Chattogram YWCA has been operating Savings and Credit program since 1990. With the aim of socio-economic development and poverty alleviation of the targeted people, the activities of micro credit project are going on in Patenga, Lalkhan Bazar, Bahaddarhat and Boalkhali areas of Chattogram. In the beginning, the number of groups was 57, the members were 855, later its scope increased to 201 savings groups in 2025 and the number of members was 2581. In the first half, the savings started with 2 taka per week, now the savings are 200 taka per month. Initially the maximum loan was Tk 20,000.00. Currently the maximum loan amount is Tk.5,00,000/-. Now target people are establishing themselves as small entrepreneurs and their financial status has changed.

Since 1986, Chattogram YWCA work area has been working to improve the quality of life of backward people, especially women, young women and children, their spiritual and intellectual development, increase professional skills in economic activities and by taking opportunities to form leadership, we are working towards creating a fair, peaceful, egalitarian, sustainable society by preserving and expanding our traditional culture. Chandgaon Ward No. 4, Lalkhan Bazar Ward No. 14, Patenga Ward No. 39, 40, 41, and Boalkhali 8, 9, 10 Union are conducting activities of YWCA.

Besides, various awareness activities are being conducted with the aim of increasing public awareness on gender equality and social inclusion, prevention and protection of sexual and gender-based violence, climate justice, organizational capacity building and good governance, advocacy through institutional sustainability, partnerships, networking and alliances, peacebuilding with equity, youth empowerment, transformative and intergenerational leadership development, women’s rights in health agenda.

The branch’s income generation projects include sales center, guest house and training hall rental and various short-term courses.

Through partnerships, networking and advocacy activities through alliances, outreach, communication and awareness of Chattogram YWCA with like-minded public and private organizations has been enhanced.278 women and youth members of Chattogram YWCA, 85 workers are currently continuing their efficient leadership in the development of Chattogram YWCA.

Currently, those who are managing the board of Chattogram YWCA, with whose advice and support Chattogram YWCA is moving forward are:

1. YashikhaBoid : President
2. Christina Toma Mendis : Vice President 
3. Purabi Sarker : Treasurer
4. Angela Boishakhi Mendis : Board Member
5. Shathi Gomes : Board Member
6. Sharlin Suverio Using : Board Member
7. Hanna Gomes : Board Member
8. Rose Sisilia Gomes : Board Member
9. Linda Dcosta : Board Member
10. Jenny Dasel : Board Member
11. Dr. Tirsa Melody Samadder : Board Member
12. Maghline Datta : Board Member
13. Elezabeth Shorna Gomes : Board Member
14. Avril Rozario : Board Member
15. Sonia D’costa : General Secretary