Yunus Calls for Women-Led Vision for New Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today spoke at the function of Begum Rokeya Padak 2025 held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today underscored the need to build a new Bangladesh shaped by women’s leadership, inspired by the legacy of Begum Rokeya and her lifelong struggle for women’s rights.

“Today’s women are different. The post-uprising generation is driving the journey toward a new Bangladesh. They inspire not only women, but the entire nation. We must uphold them,” he said while addressing the recipients of the Begum Rokeya Padak 2025 at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

He said Begum Rokeya’s contributions have too often been confined to the literary sphere, urging all to take bold steps from their respective positions to advance women’s rights.
“Let the new Bangladesh be built with their enthusiasm,” he added.

Describing the Begum Rokeya Padak as an epoch-making honour, the Chief Adviser said its recipients have elevated Bangladesh on the global stage and are capable of leading not only the nation but the world.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to mark Begum Rokeya Day 2025, commemorated the 145th birth anniversary and 93rd death anniversary of Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, a pioneer of women’s education and empowerment.

Highlighting women’s growing participation across sectors—particularly in education—Prof Yunus called for equal opportunities for women in every sphere. He recalled the role women and girls played during the July 2024 Uprising and stressed: “We must give our girls the space to lead the nation.”

He said the occasion should also prompt reflection on collective shortcomings.
“Even after 100 years, we have not been able to create another Rokeya. This is our misfortune. We have not implemented her visions or the dreams she entrusted to us,” he said. “We talk, but we do not move forward. We must understand why.”

He called on the nation to dream boldly and use modern technology to advance Rokeya’s ideals.

Recalling the 1974 famine, Prof Yunus shared memories from his early academic career at Chattogram University and the beginnings of the Grameen Bank. He described how women in Jobra village had no recognised identity beyond their familial roles.
He said they named every woman, provided literacy education and incorporated them into microcredit programmes. These efforts also helped begin the movement against dowry. “This was the situation a century after Rokeya began her struggle,” he remarked.

Calling Rokeya’s ideas revolutionary, he urged everyone to practise her principles in daily life.

The Chief Adviser also announced a change in the Bangla name of the Women and Children Affairs Ministry—from Mohila O Shishu Mantranalay to Nari O Shishu Mantranalay.

This year, Dr Rubhana Rakib received the award for women’s education (research), labour leader Kalpana Akter was honoured for women’s rights (labour), rights activist Dr Nabila Idris was recognised for human rights, and national footballer Ritu Porna Chakma won in the women’s awakening (sports) category.

Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid chaired the event, which was attended by other advisers, dignitaries, and families of the awardees.
A cultural programme, including the screening of Ami-e Rokeya, highlighted Rokeya’s contributions to women’s education, her advocacy against child marriage, and her enduring influence on women’s empowerment.