Dhaka, Dec 09 (V7N) — Today marks Rokeya Day, commemorating both the birth and death anniversary of renowned Bengali writer, educationist, social reformer and pioneer of women’s emancipation Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain. The day is observed annually on December 9 in her honor.

The theme of this year’s Rokeya Day is “Let’s unite to stop violence against women and girls, ensure digital security.”

Begum Rokeya was born on December 9, 1880, into a zamindar family in Pairaband village of Rangpur. Coincidentally, she passed away on the same date in 1932. Her lifelong struggle for women’s education, rights and social dignity made her one of the most influential figures in Bengali intellectual and reformist history.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is observing the day through various programs across the country. As every year, the prestigious Rokeya Padak is being awarded to four distinguished women for their exceptional contributions in different fields related to women’s advancement.

This year’s awardees are:

  • Ruvana Rakib — Women’s education (research)

  • Kalpana Akhter — Women’s rights (labour rights)

  • Nabila Idris — Human rights

  • Rituparna Chakma — Women’s awakening (sports)

The medals are being presented at a ceremony held in the morning at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government, is attending the event as the chief guest and handing over the awards.

In a message marking the occasion, Professor Yunus said,

“On the occasion of Begum Rokeya Day, I pay deep respect to the memory of this great woman. Education is the key to the advancement of women who were backward in the conservative social system of the nineteenth century. From this realization, Begum Rokeya played an extraordinarily courageous role in expanding women’s education. The interim government is continuing to work for women’s empowerment along the path she initiated.”

Begum Rokeya’s legacy is not limited to activism alone. In 1905, her famous English work “Sultana’s Dream” was published, later translated into Bengali. The book is considered a landmark in global feminist literature and has been included in UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” register.

In a BBC Bangla survey conducted in 2004, Begum Rokeya was ranked sixth among the greatest Bengalis of all time. Her other notable literary works include Motichur, Padmarag, and Abrodhabasini, which continue to inspire generations in the struggle for equality, education and social justice.

END/SMA/AJ