Online Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said Bangladesh is advanced enough in terms of women empowerment as the country has fulfilled the dream of Begum Rokeya.

“We always are making endeavours so that our women would be self-reliant and stand on their own feet as Begum Rokeya said. She (Rokeya) said her dream would be fulfilled on that day when women become judges and barristers. We are advanced enough in that case,” she said.

The premier was addressing an event arranged in the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium to celebrate Begum Rokeya Day 2023 and distribute Begum Rokeya Padak 2023.

Hasina said many developed countries couldn’t elect a woman as the head of the government yet. A woman couldn’t be the president even in the most powerful country till date, she said.

Talking about Rokeya’s dream, she said, “We’ve been able to fulfill her expectation largely in Bangladesh.”

The Women and Children Affairs Ministry arranged the event on the occasion of the 143rd birth and 91st death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain.

The PM handed over the Begum Rokeya Padak 2023 to five noted women for their outstanding contributions towards society, women’s education and women empowerment.

The five recipients are first female vice chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) Professor Khaleda Ekram (posthumous) of Bogura for women education, noted reproductive health expert Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter of Rangpur for establishing women’s rights, Kamrunnesa Ashraf Dina of Netrakona for her contributions to the socio-economic development of women, Ronita Bala of Thakurgaon for rural development and Nishat Mazumder (Mountaineer) of Lakshmipur district for her contribution to awakening of women.

On behalf of the recipients, Nishat Mazumder shared her feelings on the occasion.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira presided over the event, while Women and Children Affairs Secretary Nazma Mobarek read out the citation of the recipients.