No scope to deter women from doing job: Prime Minister

Online Desk   :  ‘There is no scope to prevent country’s women from doing job by any rate,’ warns Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. ‘As Islam has given the opportunity to women and guaranteed their rights in the working place, so no one can prevent them from doing job,’ echoed the Prime Minister.

The Premier came up with the comments while inaugurating Begum Rokeya Day and distributing Begum Rokeya Padak-2015 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital, this morning.In her speech given on the day, she said women can do every work maintaining modesty.

Islam has given them that opportunity. Islam is the only religion which guaranteed the rights of the women either it’s in the wealth or in the working place, she said giving example of Bibi Khadeja, who was the first female adopted Islam, also a business person in profession.

Bibi Ayesha, wife of the Prophet (SM) always remained beside Prophet in the war field, the prime minister noted saying it’s the best example before us and we always should keep this in mind, she added.

This year the prestigious award has gone to world famous fashion designer Bibi Russell and noted educationist, philanthropist and social worker Dr Taibun Nahar Rashid.

The government introduced the award in 1995 after the name of Begum Rokeya, a pioneer of women’s liberation movement in the undivided Bengal who was a leading feminist writer and social worker during the early 20th century and mostly famous for her efforts for gender equality and female education.

The Ministry of Children and Women Affairs organized the award giving ceremony with State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki in the chair. Secretary of the ministry Nasima Begum delivered the welcome address at the function, while Bibi Russell also spoke expressing her feeling on getting the award.

Paying rich tributes to Begum Rokeya, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she was beacon of women renaissance and an institution of female education. “Her ideology, writings, strong mentality and working spirit still inspire us during our hard time though Rokeya herself could not attend matriculation due to social barrier,” Sheikh Hasina said.

Congratulating the award recipients Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she is very much glad to have the opportunity of giving the Rokeya Padak to Bibi Russell and Dr Dr Taibun Nahar Rashid, two outstanding ladies, made their contribution to the emancipation of womenfolk.

Sheikh Hasina praised the support of Bibi Russell to the people of Nishbethganj saying it was one of the outstanding jobs she has done, and in her reputation as a world famous female fashion designer of Bangladesh we are very glad.

The prime minister also highlighted the service of Dr Taibun Nahar Rashid to the society and said Dr Nahar, a commander of Jatiya Rakki Bahini in 1948, served in different categories before and after liberation. She went to hide for giving training to female workers during non-cooperation movement in 1971. In 1972, she had given guard of honour to Bangabandhu on the Independence Day in 1972.