Dhaka: Five persons on Saturday received prestigious Rokeya Padak, 2017 for their outstanding contributions to the society and the empowerment of womenfolk.

They are—Freedom Fighter and organiser Mazeda Shawkat Ali, journalist Mahfuza Khatun Baby Moudud (Posthumous), Artiste Suraiya Rahman, writer Shobha Rani Tripura, and social worker Masuda Faruk Ratna.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the prizes and certificates among the winners and their family members at a programme held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

The Ministry of Children and Women Affairs organised the programme with State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki in the chair. Secretary to the ministry Nasima Begum read out the citations.

The government introduced the award in 1995 after the name of Begum

Rokeya, a pioneer of women’s rights 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.