As dusk settled over the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday evening, the celebration of women’s courage carried a quiet undercurrent of concern.
The recipients of the Begum Rokeya Padak 2025, gathered to be honoured by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, began not with jubilation – but with unease.
“We were happy to receive a reception from you. But we are upset after yesterday’s incident,” the awardees said in unison, referring to the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the July Uprising, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8.
Their words turned the ceremony into something more than a felicitation; it became a moment of reflection on the fragility – and resolve – of Bangladesh’s democratic journey.
Professor Yunus listened carefully before responding.
Calling the attack “pre-planned,” he said he was in constant touch with Hadi’s family and personally monitoring his treatment.
He added that political parties had also been engaged, signalling a collective responsibility to protect the democratic space as the country moves toward elections.
One by one, the stories behind the medals unfolded.
For Kalpana Akhter, honoured for her work on labour rights, the recognition marked an emotional turning point. She recalled years of harassment and what she described as fabricated cases under the previous government. “Fourteen cases were filed against me,” she said, mentioning even a bizarre accusation of stealing glasses from an office tower in Gulshan. “No one ever imagined that someone working for labour and trade union rights would receive the Rokeya Padak.”
Yunus responded with warmth. “Kalpana Akhter is a strong woman. She always speaks the truth. She is respected around the world,” he said, reflecting on how labour rights remained neglected even after the Rana Plaza tragedy. He described the amendment of the Labour Law and the signing of labour conventions as overdue but necessary steps, and engaged her in a detailed discussion on wages and working conditions.
The conversation then turned to science and public health, as Dr Rubhana Rakib spoke about her work at Icddr,B. Yunus acknowledged the strain on research institutions and humanitarian programmes –particularly Rohingya services – after cuts in foreign aid, noting that the government was grappling with these challenges through ongoing dialogue.
On the football field, Rituparna Chakma has become a symbol of aspiration for young girls across the country. Yunus asked her about training conditions, food, accommodation and the next generation of players. “Everyone in the country is your fan,” he told her. “Honouring you means inspiring the children who follow you.”
For human rights defender Nabila Idris, the moment carried the weight of long struggle. Yunus praised her for instilling courage and awareness among ordinary people. In return, Nabila thanked him for initiating the trial process over enforced disappearances. “The stage the investigation has reached is historic,” she said. “Without this leadership, we would not have seen justice move forward.”
As the evening drew to a close, Yunus presented each awardee with his book, Beltail Gramer Jariman, O Anyanyara, chronicling the economic struggles of rural women – an apt gesture in a room filled with women who have challenged injustice in their own ways.
Also present were Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmin S Murshid, SDGs Chief Coordinator Lamia Morshed, and Senior Secretary Momtaz Ahmed.
What lingered after the applause was not just celebration, but a shared understanding: that honouring Begum Rokeya’s legacy is not merely about medals, but about continuing the unfinished work of courage, justice and unity.