Stay alert against women repression: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the people, both males and females, to be aware so that no child and woman become a victim of torture.

“Not only in our country, we’ve also seen in the developing nations that the repression on children and women has spread like a mental disease … so, males and females, everybody will have to be aware so that no child and woman are tortured,” she said.

She added: “Special attention should be given so that the children and women remain protected.”

The prime minister was addressing a function as the chief guest on the occasion of the “Begum Rokeya Day” and distribution of Rokeya Padak-2019 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Monday morning, reports BSS.

Sheikh Hasina said: “In fact the males inflict repression on the women. So they should think that they’ve also girl child and what will they do if their child is tortured by anybody. That’s why, awareness is very much necessary (in this regard).”

The Begum Rokeya Day is being observed in the country today marking the 139th birth and 87th death anniversaries of the pioneer of women renaissance Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain.

The Women and Children Affairs Ministry arranged the function with State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Begum Fazilatun Nesa Indira in the chair.

Secretary of the ministry Qamrun Nahar delivered the welcome address and also conducted the Rokeya Padak distribution ceremony.

On behalf of the Rokeya Padak recipients, Begum Selina Khalek spoke expressing her feelings about receiving the award.

At the function, the prime minister handed over Rokeya Padak-2019 to five eminent women for their outstanding contributions to women and social development.

The recipients are – Begum Selina Khalek, Principal Shamsun Nahar, Dr Nurunnahar Faizunnessa (posthumous), Miss Papri Basu and Begum Akhtar Jahan.