Bangladesh: Frist woman to head Caritas Mymensingh Region

In a groundbreaking moment for Caritas Bangladesh, the Mymensingh Region celebrated the appointment of Ms. Rozina Rongma as its new acting regional director.

This appointment marks the first time a woman has held this leadership position in the history of Caritas Mymensingh, as of June 28.

The formal handover ceremony took place in the presence of high-ranking officials from both the Caritas national office and the Catholic Church. The event was presided over by Mr. Daud Jibon Das, the newly appointed executive director and current director of programs for Caritas Bangladesh.

Holy Cross Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi of the Mymensingh Catholic Diocese attended as the chief guest and officially announced Ms. Rongma’s appointment.

In his address, Kubi brought attention to the occasion, calling it “a moment of pride and progress” not only for Caritas but also for the broader movement toward gender equity in leadership within faith-based organizations.

Also present were Mr. Remi Suvash Das, director of finance and administration; Monsignor Father Simon Hacha, vicar general of the Mymensingh Diocese; Monsignor Father Peter Rema; and several other prominent members of Caritas governance and clergy. Together, they extended a warm welcome to Ms. Rongma and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the service of the outgoing Regional Director, Mr. Apurbo Mrong.

Mr. Mrong, who led the region for over a decade, was recently promoted to Director of Programs at Caritas Bangladesh. In his eleven years of service, he spearheaded a wide range of community development initiatives, focusing on education, health, disaster preparedness, and sustainable livelihoods. His tenure was praised by all present for its vision and transformative impact on the lives of marginalized communities.

Ms. Rozina, a seasoned professional within the organization, steps into the role with a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to Caritas’s mission. Her appointment represents not only a personal milestone but also a significant step forward for women's leadership in faith-based and humanitarian work across Bangladesh.

“This is more than a new chapter for me,” said Ms. Rongma in her first public remarks as regional director. “It is a new chapter for all women in our organization. I am honored to serve and committed to advancing the mission of Caritas in the Mymensingh Region.”

Founded in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises, Caritas Bangladesh has grown into one of the country’s most respected development organizations. With its roots in emergency relief after the 1970 Bhola cyclone, the organization became a national entity in 1971 and was officially registered in 1972 after Bangladesh’s independence. Headquartered in Dhaka, Caritas now operates through eight regional offices across the country.

As a member of Caritas Internationalis, a global confederation of 165 Catholic relief and development agencies operating in more than 200 countries, Caritas Bangladesh continues to play a critical role in social justice, community development, and humanitarian response.

The appointment of Ms. Rozina is an important step in this journey—one that reflects both the organization’s deep-rooted values and its readiness to embrace inclusive leadership for a more equitable future.