Begum Rokeya Day, a pioneer of women’s awakening, was celebrated today (9 December) in Bandarban on the initiative of Our Live, Our Health, Our Futures (OLHF) project.
On this occasion, this day was celebrated in the Girls clubs of Rowangchhari, Thanchi and Sadar Upazilas of Bandarban Hill District. Following this, a discussion session on the significance of Begum Rokeya Day, cultural events, and sports with adolescent girls and with their mothers was organized at the premises of Radana Girls Club at Lombaghona Para of Sadar Union at 11 am on the initiative of Ananya Kallyan Sangathon.
Daw Nai Prue Naly, Executive Director of Ananya Kallyan Sangathon, and Sumit Banik, Master Trainer of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha were present as guests of the event.
Overall supervision was by Project Coordinator Myamesingh Marma. Program Officer cum Trainer Yeisanu Marma and Program Facilitator Khyai Khyai Nue Marma conducted the cultural and sports events. At the end of the cultural and sports episode, the guests handed over the prizes to the winners.
Daw Nai Prue Naly, Executive Director for Adolescent girls and Mothers, said, “We are all reaping the benefits of Begum Rokeya’s struggle for women’s rights and emancipation in the face of hundreds of adversities, but we have not yet achieved full emancipation.”
“We need to be aware of our rights. If you are deprived of your rights somewhere, you have to raise your voice. You have to be vocal in realizing your rights first. And there is no alternative to enlightening oneself in the light of education to be aware of rights. Even today, we are working towards realizing that dream of Begum Rokeya’s. She has not only worked for the rights and emancipation of women but also she has been worked for the awakening of women and the reformation of discriminatory practices against women in society. We need an awakening of consciousness and change of attitude. And to make Begum Rokeya’s dream come true, everyone has to work sincerely and build themselves in that way,” Daw Nai Prue Naly added.
