Begum Rokeya Day is being observed marking the 139th birth and 87th death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, the pioneer for women's rights in the subcontinent.

The Women and Children Affairs Ministry, Begum Rokeya Foundation and various socio-cultural and political organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.

Read: Five noted women receive Rokeya Padak-2021

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages paying rich tributes to Begum Rokeya.

Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain was born on December 9 in 1880 at Pairaband village in Rangpur. She also passed away on December 9 in 1932.

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain 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 during the time of the British rule.

Five eminent women were honoured with the prestigious Begum Rokeya Padak-2021 on Thursday for their outstanding contributions to women empowerment and social development.

The recipients areProf Hasina Zakaria Bela, Archana Biswas, Shamsunnahar Rahman Paran (posthumous), Dr Zinat Huda and Dr Saria Sultana.

Read:Move forward breaking barriers: Hasina tells women

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the award-giving ceremony and celebration of Begum Rokeya Day-2021, virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira handed over the medals and certificates to the recipients and their relatives.

The Women and Children Affairs Ministry arranged the programme at the city’s Osmani Smriti Auditorium.