Begum Rokeya Day will be observed today with due respect to mark the 137th birth and 85th death anniversaries of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, the pioneer of women's rights in the subcontinent.

On the occasion, Women and Children Affairs Ministry will organise a function in the capital's Osmani Memorial Auditorium where the Rokeya Padak-2017 will also be distributed at 10:30am. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to attend the programme as the chief guest.

The Rangpur District Administration along with Rokeya Day Observance Committee has planned a three-day programme, starting today at her birthplace -- Pairaband village in Mithapukur upazila.

Yesterday, President Abdul Hamid and the prime minister issued separate messages paying respect to the memory of Begum Rokeya and also congratulating the recipients of the Begum Rokeya Padak-2017.

The president, in his message, said the life and works of Begum Rokeya will inspire the advancement of women to build a discrimination-free society.

Meanwhile, Hasina, in her message, said Begum Rokeya played a leading role for the education and emancipation of women.

Born on December 9, 1880, Begum Rokeya wrote novels, poems, short stories, science fiction, satires, treatises, and essays. In her writings, she advocated that both men and women should be treated equally as rational beings and the lack of education is the main reason of women lagging behind.

She died on December 9, 1932, which was her 52nd birthday. December 9 is observed as Begum Rokeya Day every year.