Remembering Begum Rokeya

December 9, 2016 was Begum Rokeya's 136th birthday. She was the pioneer of women's education in the Indian subcontinent during the time of the British rule. Brought up in a restricted society, Rokeya was self-educated. From early childhood, she was an enthusiastic learner of Bengali literature. Most of her writings were on the importance of education for women and women empowerment. She dreamed of an open society for women when women were not allowed to go outside without a male guardian. Her contribution to the emancipation of women of the Indian subcontinent especially of Bengali society was immense. She was centuries ahead of her time. If we want to establish a developed and prosperous society, we need a lot of progressive and dynamic leaders like Begum Rokeya.

Arif  Billah

Department of Law, DU