Staff Reporter:
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday emphasized for building the post uprising new Bangladesh with ensuring the participation of women, especially being imbued with the spirit of Begum Rokeya’s struggle to establish the women rights.
“Yesterday’s women society is totally different. The post uprising women society is one to build the new Bangladesh. The journey of the new Bangladesh started with them. They are inspiring not only for wom-en but for all. We need to uphold them,” he said.
The Chief Adviser made remarks referring to the Begum Rokeya Padak 2025 winners after distributing the award among the recipients at a function at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city this morn-ing.
Noting that in passage of time Begum Rokeya’s contribution has been confined in literature, Prof Yunus urged everyone to give shake from their respective places to push the women ahead.
“Let the new Bangladesh be built with their enthusiasm,” he said.
Terming the Begum Rokeya Padak as an epoch-making award, the Chief Adviser said those, who got the award, took the Bangladesh to a new height in the globe and they are capable not only to lead Bangla-desh but also the entire world.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs organised the function marking the Begum Rokeya Day 2025 in observance of the 145th birth anniversary and the 93rd death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, a pioneering advocate for women’s rights and education.
Highlighting the progress of women participation in the country’s different sectors, especially in educa-tion, Prof Yunus urged all to ensure equal opportunities for the women in every sector.
He referred to the role of women and girls during the 2024 July Uprising to topple the fascist regime and the contributions of the Begum Rokeya Padak awardees to the society, saying: “We should leave space for the girls to lead the nation.”
Stating that yesterday’s event should not only to commemorate Begum Rokeya, but also to find out “our failures”, Prof Yunus said, “Even after 100 years, we have not been able to create another Rokeya. This is our misfortune. We have not been able to implement the directions she had given and the dreams she had shown”.
“We have talked but have not been able to move forward. We have to find out why we could not,” he added.
The Chief Adviser urged all to dream boldly, inspired by Rokeya’s far-ahead-of-her-time visions and to take the country forward utilizing the modern technology.
Terming Begum Rokeya’s thoughts as revolutionary ones, he said: “We should follow Begum Rokeya in our daily life. And if we can do it that will be meaningful”.
The Chief Adviser announced that the Bangla name of the Women and Children Affairs Ministry has been changed to ‘Nari O Shishu Mantranalay’ from ‘Mohila O Shishu Mantranalay’.
Dr Rubhana Rakib, a physician, received the award in the category of women’s education (research) while Kalpana Akter, a labour leader, got in the category of women’s rights (labor).
Dr Nabila Idris, a rights activist, received the prestigious award in the category of human rights while Ritu Porna Chakma, a member of Bangladesh Women’s National Football Team, won the award in the category of women’s awakening (sports).
Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid chaired the event while other advisers of the interim government, distinguished personalities as well as family members and relatives of the awardees were present at the function.
Senior Secretary of the Women and Children Affairs Ministry Mamtaz Ahmed delivered the welcome address.
A cultural program, including the screening of a documentary titled Ami-e Rokeya, was held to high-light Begum Rokeya’s contributions to promoting women’s education and combating child marriage.
The event also showcased Begum Rokeya’s role in inspiring women and the progress of women’s em-powerment in the country. It emphasized education as the key to establishing women’s rights.
