Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday handed over Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Padak-2023 to four distinguished women and the national women’s football team of Bangladesh for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields.

The four women who were conferred with the award are Advocate Sahara Khatun (posthumous) in politics, Anima Mukti Gomes in education, Nasima Jaman Bobi in culture and sports, and Senjuti Saha in research.

The award giving ceremony was held in Dhaka’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium and was organised by the ministry of women and children affairs on the occasion of 93rd birth anniversary of Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, wife of Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

State minister for women and children affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira presided over the function, while secretary of the ministry Nazma Mobarek delivered the welcome speech.

Tania Huq, Professor at the Women and Gender Studies Department of University of Dhaka, presented the keynote speech, focusing on the glorious life of Begum Fazilatunnesa.

At the outset of the event, an audio-visual documentary was also screened highlighting the life and works of Begum Fazilatunnesa.

Begum Chemon Ara Tayab, chairman of Jatiyo Mahila Sangstha, spoke on the occasion, while Sabina Khatun, captain of Bangladesh Women’s Football Team, on behalf of her team shared their feelings.

The prestigious award was introduced in 2021 to commemorate the contribution of Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib. Maximum five women and teams are given the award every year in recognition of their contribution in eight fields.