5 awarded Begum Rokeya Padak 2018

Five people received prestigious Begum Rokeya Padak 2018 on Sunday in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society and women empowerment, reports UNB.

The awardees are Zinnatun Nesa Talukder, professor Zohra Anis, Shila Roy, Rauma Chowdhury (posthumous) and Rokeya Begum (posthumous).

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the medals weighing 25 grams of 18-karat gold, cheques of Tk 200,000 and certificates among the winners and their family members at a programme held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital.

The children and women affairs ministry organised the programme with state minister Meher Afroze Chumki in the chair. Ministry secretary Nasima Begum read out the citations.

The government introduced the award in 1995 after the name of Begum Rokeya, 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.