Five women received prestigious Begum Rokeya Padak 2018 on Sunday (Dec 9) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society and women empowerment. The award recipients are Zinnatun Nesa Talukder, Prof Zohra Anis, Shila Roy, Rauma Chowdhury (posthumous) and Rokeya Begum (posthumous).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the medals, cheques of Tk 2 lakh and certificates among the winners and their family members at a programme held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), local media reports said.
The Ministry of Children and Women Affairs organised the programme with State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki in the chair. Secretary of the ministry Nasima Begum red out the citations.
Bangladesh government introduced the award in 1995 after the name of Begum Rokeya.
Begum Rokeya is a pioneer of women's liberation movement in the undivided Bengal. Begum Rokeya was a leading feminist writer and social worker during the early 20th century and famous for her efforts to establish gender equality and ensure female education.
