Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said strict application of law is equally essential as change of mindset, values and morality is necessary to check repression on women.

I he head of the caretaker government made the remark at a function organised by the Women and Children Affairs Ministry at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium for distributing Begum Rokeya Padak 2008 marking Begum Rokeya Day2008.

Begum Rokeya Dav 2008

was scheduled to be observed on December 9. It was shifted to December 11 as the holy Eid-ul-Azha coincided with the day.

This year Dr Sultana Sarwat Ara Zaman and Nasrin Pan-in Huq (posthumous) were awarded the Begum Rokeya Padak. a national award, for their contributions to women education and women development.

Dr Sultana Sarwat Ara Zaman received the award personally from the chief adviser, while late Nasrin Parvin Huq’s award was received by her little daughter.

Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury presided over the function. Secretary of the Ministry Rokeya Sultana also spoke on the occasion.

Advisers, special assistants to the chief adviser, members of various women and children’s organisations, and government officials were present.

Fakhruddin in his speech said the relentless efforts of Begum Rokeya are behind the positive achievements the women in Bangladesh now enjoy.

He said at present, women

ore much advanced in trade and commerce, medical and engineering, science, civil and military administration - in every sphere of development -as well as in state politics.

But it is a matter of great sorrow, the chief adviser said, when women still become victims of dowry and eve-teasing, while mothers, sisters, housewives, domestic helps and girl students become victims of repression at homes, offices and educational institutions.

"We want to see the end of it,” he told the function.

Fakhruddin urged the social scientists, media, civic society and the lawyers to come forward to help check repression on women.

He mentioned Begum Rokeya's efforts and her extraordinary qualities that had awakened the backward women community of the 19th Century and showed them the path of emancipation.

Begum Rokeya still remained the torchbearer for women and her words are equally relevant in the 21st Century, he said.

The chief adviser called upon to all including private institutions, women organizations, civic society and conscious sections of people to work together along side the government to ensure women education and empowerment as well as their security and self-reliance.

Later, a cultural progarmme based on the life and works of Begum Rokeya was staged at the function. The CA witnessed the event.