Sayeem Reza

Sayeem Reza (18), is from Bangladesh. Growing up in Jashore, Bangladesh, Sayeem watched many children silently struggle with mental stress and social pressure, often discouraged from expressing their emotions in ways that hurt their confidence, education, and future. That silence motivated him to act.

As a Community Officer at WeSafe, Sayeem raised awareness about gender-based violence, child safety, and children’s rights through outreach sessions and campaigns, backed by research that revealed how many women, including mothers, had experienced violence at least once — underscoring the urgent need for protection programs.

Sayeem also co-founded a youth-led mental health initiative, creating safe spaces where children and adolescents can openly share their emotions without fear of stigma.

His work has reached over 55,000 people digitally through awareness campaigns and online engagement, plus another 500 to 600 people through in-person activities focused on children’s rights and mental health.

With his parents’ encouragement to balance his studies with community work, Sayeem is helping break the silence around mental health for young people in his community.