Five prominent women have received prestigious Rokeya Padak, 2017 for their outstanding contributions to the society and the empowerment of womenfolk.
The recipients 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 in the capital on Saturday.
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 has introduced the award in 1995.