Momtaz, Golap win Rokeya Awards

Professor Momtaz Begum and Golap Banu have got the Begum Rokeya Awards 2014 for contributions in women’s education, rights and poverty reduction. Prof Momtaz Begum and Golap Banuon received the prestigious awards from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday. The PM handed over gold medals, certificates and a cheque for Tk 100,000 to each of the recipients. Born on April 13, 1946, in Comilla district, Momtaz Begum contributed largely to the rehabilitation of abused women as a member of Bangladesh Women’s Rehabilitation Board in 1972. She was the Member of the National Assembly (MNA) of Pakistan and was elected as member of the Jatiya Sangsad (Bangladesh’s national parliament) in 1973. She joined the 6-point movement in 1966 and 11-point movement in 1969. Despite not having any institutional education, Golap Banu has contributed hugely in women’s socio-economic development through cooperatives. She started the Baridhara Women’s Cooperative Association with only a few members in 1996. The organisation now boasts 36,673 members. The association has amassed a fund of Tk 14.4 billion through collaboration over the last 18 years. The association runs 6 schools at Golap Banu’s initiative. Golap Banu has also been playing an important role in providing services to poor and destitute women across the country, according to bdnews24.com.