Dhaka: The 17th death anniversary of legendary poet, political activist and torchbearer of women’s emancipation Sufia Kamal was observed on Sunday.

Different social and cultural organisations observed the day with various programmes.

Sufia Kamal was also instrumental in naming the first women's dormitory of Dhaka University as Rokeya Hall after Begum Rokeya who was her own inspiration. 

During Bangladesh's struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971, she worked to help women hurt in the war. 

She also campaigned to bring into justice those Pakistani officials whom the Bangladeshis considered war criminals.

Born on June 20, 1911, Sufia Kamal was awarded the Bangla Academy Award for Literature (1962), Lenin Centenary Jubilee Medal (1970) from the Soviet Union, Ekushey Padak (1976), Czechoslovakia Medal (1986), Jatiya Kabita Parishad Award (1995), Begum Rokeya Medal (1996), Deshbandhu CR Das Gold Medal (1996) and Independence Day Award (1997) for her works.

The poet died on November 20, 1999.