Shomy - Bangladesh

Shomy is a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activist from Bangladesh, with a vision to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for everyone. Shomy is the Founding Co-Chair of a youth organization “Awareness 360” which empowers young people in 23 countries to do community service projects in line with the UN SDGs, particularly raising awareness on clean water and sanitation (WASH aspects) among vulnerable communities.

She is also a Global Changemaker, a State Alumna, a Global Citizen Youth Advocate, the Asia Representative of the Commonwealth Students’ Association, a Royal Commonwealth Society Fellow, Policy Lead at the International Taskforce of the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2020, and an International Election Observer. She has received many recognitions for her social work, notably the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold) from President Barack Obama for her outstanding contribution to community service. Most recently she has become the first Bangladeshi to be awarded the 2019 Diana Legacy Award for her humanitarian work continuing Princess Diana’s legacy.

She has worked on and led numerous social impact projects including leading MBBS and Score Your Goals. Project MBBS (Make Brothels in Bangladesh Safe) was launched to raise awareness among the sex workers in Bangladesh who live in extremely unhygienic condition. Thanks to GCM for the unending support and realising the need of this project.

Score Your Goals was organised to raise SDG awareness among the university students in Malaysia. Unfortunately a lot of students are unaware about the UN global agenda, and even if they know, it is often misunderstood that it’s something for the big shots. However, we as young people have a tremendous role to play in everyday lives to achieve these goals. Hence this project aimed to mobilise the university students to realise their role and take action, contributing to a decade of action for a successful #2030

Working as a changemaker for over a decade now, she has realised how important it is for us young people to step up and take action. Our collective small efforts will together make a big difference.