Shomy Hasan Chowdhury: Turning Grief into a Movement for Humanity

At a time when the world faces crises from climate change to conflict, I hope to advance bold, inclusive solutions

Shomy Hasan Chowdhury is a Bangladesh-based Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activist who has turned his own tragedy into an international change movement. She lost her mother to diarrhea in 2014 and co-founded Awareness 360 together with Rijve Arefin, a non-profit organization run by young people, now operating in more than 70 countries. The organization also enables youths to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which center around access to clean water, gender equality, climate change, and empowering youths. Shomy has changed the lives of more than three million people through grassroots campaigns and international advocacy.

Her work started with a WASH Talk only a few days after the death of her mother, initiating a quest to train vulnerable populations such as sewerage workers, sex workers, and slum residents on the importance of sanitation and hygiene. The programs of Awareness 360, such as the Youth Development Programme, provide the young leaders with project management and advocacy skills to promote sustainable change. Shomy has a presence on worldwide platforms, including the United Nations and Buckingham Palace, among others, to motivate millions of people.

Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2025), Shomy’s accolades include the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold) from Barack Obama and the Diana Legacy Award. Shomy’s story exemplifies how passion and resilience can drive systemic change worldwide.