Five eminent women named as Rokeya Padak awardees

Women and Children Affairs Ministry has announced the names of five renowned women as Begum Rokeya Padak awardees in recognition of their contribution to various fields in the country this year.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira named the five women at a press conference at the Department of Information in Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday, ahead of the Begum Rokeya Day to be held on December 9.

The five awardees are - the first woman vice chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Professor Khaleda Ekram (posthumous) of Dhaka for women's education, Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter of Rangpur for establishing women's rights, Kamrunnesa Ashraf Dina of Netrakona district for socio-economic development of women (posthumous), Nishat Mazumder of Lakshmipur district for contributing to the awakening of women and Ronita Bala of Thakurgaon for rural development.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will adorn them with the award at a function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium here on December 9, the state minister said.

Fazilatun Nessa Indira said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ensured women's rights in the country`s constitution in 1972.

Bangabandhu formed a women's rehabilitation board and had given dignity to the women, she said.

The present government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina acknowledged the Birangona women, who were violated by the Pakistan occupation army in 1971, as valiant freedom fighters, she added.

The state minister also said her ministry is providing training on 35 different trades to 7 lakh women.

Women and Children Affairs Ministry Secretary Nazma Mobarek, Department of Women Affairs Director General (DG) Farida Parvin, and Principal Information Officer Md Shahinoor Miah were present, among others, at the press conference.

/KN/