Ms. Marshia Mili Gomes is Elected as the First Female President of the NCY of Bangladesh
The 45th Annual General Meeting of the National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh was successfully held on 27th January, 2024, Saturday at the Conference Hall of YMCA International House located B-2, Jaleshwar, PATC, Radio Colony, Savar, Dhaka-1343) with due fervor and solemnity.
On the same day after the Annual General Meeting the election of National Executive Committee of the National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh was held at 2:30 pm at the same venue. Three members Election Committee headed by Mr. Jony Hubert Rozario conducted the election. Ms. Marshia Mili Gomes, NEC representative of Savar YMCA has been elected unanimously as the new President of National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh for the period of 2023-2025. She is the first female President of the National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh in the history of last 50 years.
Marshia Mili Gomes, a devoted individual with a profound Christian belief, has tirelessly worked towards societal and spiritual betterment since her student days. With a commendable 25-year professional journey in logistics, program planning, community development and training at various levels—private, national, and international—Marshia has concurrently dedicated over 35 years to voluntary service in organizations focused on youth and women empowerment, gender mainstreaming, and community development.
Marshia's noteworthy involvement in the YMCA commenced since her college days (from 1988) which spans both local and national levels, where she broke barriers as the first woman full member, first Secretary of the first Youth Club and member of the first Youth Committee of the Bangladesh YMCA movement. She was the founder Chairperson of the Gender and Youth Taskforce Group at the National Council of YMCAs in Bangladesh, playing a pivotal role in creating Gender and Youth committees in local YMCAs. Later served as the Chairperson of the Gender Committee (2012-14). Regionally, she contributed to the Asia Alliance of YMCAs, as the member of the first Gender and Youth Task force group of Asia Alliance of YMCAs from1991-1995. later served as the Gender Equity Committee member (2019-2023) and also contributed in formulating the "Gender Justice Policy of the APAY”. She attended in the 13th and 19th YMCA World Council and 15th, 19th and 20th General assembly of APAY and attended ECM of APAY in Hong Kong and 6th LQR 2023 in Kulalampur , Malaysia.
In her professional career, Marshia began as a teacher and later contributed as a professional in different organizations. The organization she serves are MIDAS (Micro Industries Development and Services) a pioneer organization for women Entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh, a Swiss Donor Agency Intercooperation, focusing on agroforestry and community development. She had also worked on the "IMPACT" project emphasizing on Biogas and comprehensive technology for poverty alleviation which is a project of the Youth Ministry of Government of Bangladesh. Currently she is serving in their family business MM International, a prominent transport and logistics provider in Bangladesh as the Finance and Admin Chief.
As a dedicated trainer, Marshia has facilitated workshops and seminars on women empowerment, gender, youth, leadership development and as well as Christian leadership training. She has conducted Training of Trainers sessions on entrepreneurship development and gender mainstreaming, reflecting her commitment to capacity building.
On a personal note, Marshia Mili Gomes, born on May 30, 1971, is married to Mr. Babu Markus Gomes, and they have two children. She possesses a strong educational background, securing position in the combined merit list in Dhaka Board during her Higher Secondary Public Exam, and holds Honours and Master’s degrees in Economics from Dhaka University, along with a B.Ed from the National University.
At present voluntarily, Marshia serves as the Convener of the Women's Committee of the Bangladesh Christian Association, President of the Haggai Institute Alumni Association of Bangladesh, and Co-Convener of the Women's Committee at Dhaka Credit, the largest credit union in Bangladesh. She is also involved with local community development and initiated to build a Chapel in the community for the elderly and senior citizens and for the children for their spiritual development and worship. Additionally, she is actively engaged as the Board of Directors at Savar YMCA.
In essence, Marshia Mili Gomes stands as a dedicated and multifaceted individual, contributing significantly to societal development through her unwavering commitment to gender equality, youth empowerment and community service.
Marshia Mili Gomes has been elected as the President of the National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh on 27th January, 2024 at the 45th Annual General Meeting. She is the first female President in the 50 years history of Bangladesh YMCA and also in the South Asia region of the YMCA movement since YMCA established in Indian Sub-continent in 1854.
Under the dynamic leadership of Ms. Marshia Mili Gomes the new National Executive Committee of National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh will successfully move forward.
By Nipun Sangma, National General Secretary