Break barriers, move forward

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged women in the country to move forward by breaking all the social barriers -- big or small -- and be on the path guided by Begum Rokeya.

"Once you move forward [by] breaking the barriers, there'll be no more obstacles.  In Islam, girls have been given rights…. there area equal rights [for men and women]. Even then, such obstacles appear and will keep appearing in our country. But we've to overcome them and keep moving forward."

The PM was addressing the Begum Rokeya Padak-2021 award ceremony and Begum Rokeya Day-2021, joining it virtually from her official Gono Bhaban residence.

Five eminent women personalities were honoured with the prestigious Begum Rokeya Padak this year for their outstanding contributions to women empowerment and social development.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Fazilatun Nessa Indira, state minister for women and children affairs, handed over the medals and certificates to the recipients and their relatives.

Those awarded with the Padak this year are Prof Hasina Zakaria Bela, Archana Biswas, Shamsunnahar Rahman Paran (posthumous), Dr Zinat Huda and Dr Saria Sultana.

The women and children affairs ministry arranged the programme at the city's Osmani Smriti Auditorium, marking the 141th birth and the 89th death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, the pioneer of women's rights in this subcontinent.

"Had she not lit the light of education by breaking the social barriers, we wouldn't have been able to come so far today. She had shown us the path." 

Hasina said her government has largely been able to fulfil Begum Rokeya's dream of empowering women.

She said what hurts her most is violence against women, adding that though the government has enacted laws against rape, repression of women and domestic violence, it is essential to change the mindset of men to stop violence against women.

"We've to change our mentality… We've to believe that women are not objects of enjoyment, women are co-fighters and co-partners and they have to move forward equally and be given equal rights."

In her virtual speech, Hasina further said she had taken some steps for women's economic freedom after forming her 1996 government.

It made women's education free and kept 60 percent posts of teachers in primary schools reserved for women. Such steps stopped many parents from preventing their daughters to get education, she said.

When the government introduced women's football in the country, it faced many obstacles, Hasina said, adding, "Now women have been given the scope to join every sector, including judiciary, army, naval force, air force and the BGB."

She said the female officers of the Bangladesh Army, air force and police are doing well in UN peacekeeping missions, which is why they are also in high demand for such missions. 

"Our girls are now taking up risky jobs as well. They are even operating fighter planes. So, girls are no longer lagging behind in any area. In some cases, women are doing better than men."

Hasina also urged everyone to pray for her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, a globally renowned activist for autism awareness, on her birthday.