Dhaka: The Begum Rokeya Day is being observed marking the 138th birth and 86th death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, the pioneer for women’s rights in the subcontinent.

Women and Children Affairs Ministry, Begum Rokeya Foundation and various other socio-cultural and political organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day, reports the UNB.

The programmes include milad mahfil, placing wreaths at Begum Rokeya’s portraits, discussions, rallies and cultural events.

On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages paying rich tributes to Begum Rokeya.

Shomajtantrik Mohila Forum would place wreaths at the sculpture of Begum Rokeya at Dhaka University Ruqayyah Hall here.

Besides, Dhaka University Ruqayyah Hall will arrange a programme marking the day.

Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain was born on December 9 in 1880 at Pairaband village in Rangpur. She also passed away on December 9 in 1932.

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was a Bengali feminist thinker, writer, educationist, social activist, advocate of women’s rights, and widely regarded as the pioneer of women’s education in the Indian subcontinent during the time of the British rule.