Five women will be awarded for their contributions in different fields on the occasion of International Women's Day, said State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simin Hossain Rimi.

She said each of the five winners will be given a cheque of Tk 1 lakh, crest, shawl and certificate.

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She made the disclosure at a press conference on Women's Day at the Secretariat on Thursday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present as the chief guest at the event to be held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 10 am on Friday.

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This year the theme of the day is “Invest to accelerate gender equality and opportunity”.

Anar Kali of Mymensingh, Kalyani Minzi of Rajshahi, tea worker Kamali Rabidas of Sylhet, Jahanara Begum of Barguna and Pakhi Datta Hijra of Khulna will be awarded for their economic success.

Highlighting the successes of the winners, the State Minister said Anar Kali of Mymensingh is a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman, Kalyani Minzi, a winner from the Orao community, graduated in Social Science from Rajshahi University. She is currently the headmistress of Sonadhighi Government Primary School.

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Besides, Kamali Rabidas of Sylhet is a successful mother. With tireless work as a tea worker on a daily wage of only Tk 18, she educated one of her sons who is currently an officer in a private bank., she said

She said said that Jahanara Begum of Barguna was married at the age of 12 and her husband burnt her with acid for not being able to pay the dowry money.

Later, she proved herself to be a self-sufficient winner. Pakhi Datta Hijra of Khulna has worked for the rights and betterment of the lives of her own community.