“Rokeya was full of positive energy to fight against all odds, and always tried to motivate women who are suppressed and unaware about their potentials. Today’s theory of gender equality has been talked about  in Rokeya’s essays which she wrote years ago,” said eminent writer Selina Hossain.

The seminar was arranged as part of Bangla Academy’s celebration of ‘Rokeya Day’, in remembrance of the revolutionary Bengali Muslim educationist Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain on her 139th birth and 87th death anniversary.

“If women can achieve their economic freedom, they can get their needed respect in society- that was Rokeya’s motif. She tried to secure a social system where women do not have to seek financial needs from men,” Selina explained regarding Begum Rokeya’s philosophy on women’s empowerment.

She added, “As a revolutionary, Rokeya never talked against men nor held them accountable for the situation of women- however, she criticized the enormous parochialism and excessive conservatism which were principally responsible for the relatively slow development of Muslims at her time. She always wanted women to be equal- not inferior, neither superior. Her thoughts and theories are still relatable with the current state of the society, and that only proves she was far ahead and progressive at her time.”

Bangla Academy President and National Professor Dr Anisuzzaman, along with the Director General of Bangla Academy Habibullah Siraji also spoke at the event.

“Fighting to change the situation for women was not easy at all during the time of Rokeya, who was born and brought up in a strict Muslim family. She had to embrace the odds in order to fight through it. She made school for girls, wrote the right things for their betterment and always thought like a practical revolutionist,”  Prof Anisuzzaman said at the event.

A minute of silence was observed prior to event, in remembrance of eminent academic and valiant freedom fighter Professor Ajoy Roy, who passed away on Monday.

In addition to the seminar, Bangla Academy also organized discussions and cultural event at Begum Rokeya Memorial Center in Pairaband, Rangpur.