Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has lauded Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain as a transformative force in South Asia’s struggle for women’s rights, saying her activism helped lead generations of women from oppression toward opportunity.

In a message marking Begum Rokeya Day, to be observed on December 9, Dr Yunus said the nation honours Rokeya not only as a pioneer of women’s education but also as a visionary whose movement fundamentally reshaped society.

He noted that Rokeya’s push for education in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was a bold challenge to the restrictive social norms of her time.

“Education was the path to progress for women who had long been denied equal opportunities. Begum Rokeya understood this and devoted her life to breaking these barriers,” he said.

Dr Yunus affirmed that the interim government is working to extend the legacy she began, placing women’s empowerment at the centre of its development agenda.

He highlighted several ongoing initiatives of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, including the Vulnerable Women Benefit programme designed to support disadvantaged rural women, financial assistance schemes for pregnant mothers and low-income working women, and expanded microcredit programmes promoting self-employment at the grassroots.

Additional efforts include support for women entrepreneurs in marginalised communities and the operation of working women’s hostels to ensure safe and stable housing for employed women.

To strengthen protection and justice mechanisms, Dr Yunus noted that an integrated service system for preventing violence against women and children is being enhanced nationwide. A round-the-clock toll-free hotline, 109, now connects victims to immediate assistance through a Quick Response Team.

The Chief Adviser also congratulated this year’s recipients of the Begum Rokeya Padak, awarded to individuals who have made notable contributions to advancing women’s rights and socio-economic progress.

Dr Yunus concluded by expressing his hopes for the success of all programmes arranged nationwide to commemorate Begum Rokeya Day 2025.