Five prominent women have received the prestigious Begum Rokeya Padak 2018 for their outstanding role in empowering womenfolk and their exceptional contributions to the society.
Former State Minister Zinnatun Nesa Talukder, former teacher of Comilla Women College Prof Zohara Anis, noted cultural and social worker of Sunamgonj district Shila Chowdhury, noted writer and social worker Rama Chowdhury (posthumously) and writer and social worker of Brahmanbaria Rokeya Begum (posthumously) received the awards.


Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed out the medals, cheques of Tk 200,000 and certificates to the winners and their family members at an event held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) on Sunday (Dec 9).


The Ministry of Children and Women Affairs organized the event with State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki as the chair. The Secretary of the ministry, Nasima Begum, read out the citations.
The government introduced the award in 1995, in the name of Begum Rokeya—a pioneer of the women's liberation movement in the undivided Bengal.
Begum Rokeya was a leading feminist writer and social worker during the early 20th century. She was renowned for her efforts to establish gender equality and ensure women’s access to education.