Professor Mamtaz Begum and Mrs Golap Banu have got Begum Rokeya Awards 2014 for their outstanding contribution to women’s education, rights and socioeconomic development.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the award to Professor Mamtaz, chairperson of Jatiya Mohila Sangstha, and social worker Golap Banu at a function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Tuesday morning, reports BSS.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister reiterated her call for establishing equal rights of males and females.
"Equal rights of males and females are a must for advancement of society. It is reality that no society could advance or develop if half portion of the society is left behind in the process of progress and development," she said.
The Ministry of Children and Women Affairs organized the function on the occasion of the Begum Rokeya Day marking the 135th birthday of the pioneer of the women renaissance.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki chaired the function while secretary of the ministry Tariq-ul-Islam delivered the welcome address.
Begum Rokeya Padak was introduced in 1995 and a total of 37 women personalities got the award since its inception.
Begum Shamsunnahar Mahmud won the medal first in 1995, while Professor Hamida Banu and Jharna Dhara Chowdhury got the awards in 2013.
