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. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the award-giving ceremony and celebration of Begum Rokeya Day-2021, virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. Read:PM hands over Begum Rokeya Padak to 5 recipients 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, marking the 141th birth and the 89th death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, the pioneer for women's rights in the subcontinent. Prof Hasina Zakaria Bela also spoke at the function conducted by Women and Children Affairs Secretary Sayedul Islam.

Parliament on Wednesday passed the Child Daycare Centre Bill 2021, seeking to support the children of professionals and working women as the number of nuclear families is increasing day by day. State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nesa placed the Bill in the House and it was passed by voice vote. Read: Child Daycare Centre Bill 2021 placed in Parliament According to the proposed law, there will be four types of child daycare centres in the country -- Child daycare centres to be run with government subsidy; daycare centres to be run by the government any government agency, directorate, department, statutory agency or autonomous agency to provide free services; daycare centres to eb run by individuals or organisations for commercial purposes; and non-profitable daycare centre to be run by any individual, organisation, non-government organisation, club, association, corporate sector or industrial sector. The Women and Children Affairs Ministry will monitor the daycare centres.

  Although the overall rate of child marriage has dropped in the country, the number in the Bhola district is still alarming.  The national child marriage rate for children under the age of 15 is 15.5% but it is 19% in Bhola. Also, the national rate of marriage of children under 18 is 51.4%, but it is 80.3% in the district. COAST Foundation Joint Director Iqbal Uddin Saturday came up with the findings at the webinar "Causes, Impact and Ways to Prevent Child Marriage." Also read: 13,886 child marriages in 7 months during Covid-19 outbreak: MJF The COAST study notes that "insecurity" among parents is one of the major causes of child marriage as 41.7% of those surveyed identified insecurity as the main cause of child marriage. Other factors included protection of family honour (41%), lack of awareness (44.9%), and poverty (50.9%). The study found that 67.3% of girls get married after passing eighth grade. Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry Chairman Meher Afroz Chumki said despite many initiatives of the government, there is still a problem of attitude towards girls in society. Also read: 10 million additional girls at risk of child marriage: Unicef Shireen Huq, member of Naripookho, said: "Not only punishment but also cultural change and social movement are needed to prevent child marriage. Integrated sex education can play an important role in preventing child marriage." Manusher Jono Foundation (MJF) Executive Director Shaheen Anam said, "To prevent child marriage and its negative impact, it is crucial to bring the girls back, who have dropped out, to school." Also read: Bangladesh has the highest prevalence of child marriage in S Asia: UNICEF SM Latif said a study found that 33% of parents find child marriage acceptable. "This situation must change. The primary reasons for child marriage vary widely in different areas. So solving the problem will require division-based programs."

The report on the 'Women and Children Repression Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2020', seeking death penalty for rape, was submitted to Parliament on Monday.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira on Thursday said the government will initiate new projects for women and children amid Covid-19 pandemic as they are the worst sufferers in any disaster.

The High Court on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to set up breastfeeding corners at all mills and factories across the country within two months.