She was born on December 9, 1880 at Pairaband village in Rangpur and passed away on the same date in 1932.
Begum Rokeya was a Bengali feminist thinker, writer, educationist, social activist, advocate of women's rights, and widely regarded as the pioneer of women's education in the Indian subcontinent, particularly Muslim women, during the time of the British rule.
The Women and Children Affairs Ministry, Begum Rokeya Foundation and various socio-cultural and political organisations have arranged elaborate programmes to mark the day. Besides, Dhaka University’s Rokeya Hall also arranged a programme.
Marking the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages paying rich tributes to Begum Rokeya.
The ministry nominated five women for the prestigious Rokeya Padak this year in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society and women empowerment.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the Padak at a programme at Osmani Memorial Auditorium. This year, Begum Selina Khalek, Professor Shamsun Nahar, Papri Basu, Begum Akhtar Jahan, and Dr Nurunnahar Faizunnesa (posthumously) received the Padak.