Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (Dec 9) handed over the Begum Rokeya Award 2017. Five prominent women of the country received the Begum Rokeya Award for their outstanding role in empowering womenfolk. They are: Mazeda Showkat Ali, Mahfuza Khatun Baby Moudud (posthumously), Suriya Rahman, Shova Rani Tripura and Masuda Faroque Ratna.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki presided over the function held under the auspices of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs marking the 'Rokeya Dibash'. Secretary of the ministry Nasima Begum delivered the welcome address. On behalf of the recipients Mazeda Showkat Ali spoke at the function.
Last year the PM announced giving Rokeya Padak to more women from this year instead of two saying many women, who are silently working in rural areas with very limited facilities for women's awakening and development, would be given the award. So far, 46 women were adorned with the prestigious Begum Rokeya Award that was introduced in 1995.
The premier said her government is trying to impart education and necessary training to the country's women to make them independent financially for their social empowerment.
Paying rich tributes to Begum Rokeya, Hasina said Begum Rokeya, a beacon of women renaissance and an institution of female education, wanted to build a society in where every man and women will live with dignity.
