EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTION OF BEGUM ROKEYA: A STUDY

Abstract

This study explores the contributions made to education by Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain (1880–1932), a pioneer in social reform and women's education in early 20th-century Bengal. Begum Rokeya became a strong proponent of gender equality in the face of a very patriarchal society by highlighting the importance of education for women's empowerment. She made history in 1911 when she founded Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School, the first school for Muslim girls in Kolkata and a major advancement in the education of women. In addition to her institutional initiatives, Rokeya aggressively contested the prevailing norms that limited women's responsibilities and access to education through her prolific writings, which included essays, novels, and short tales. This essay analyzes how Begum Rokeya handled the socio-political limitations of her age by examining the relationship between her literary and social activism and her scholastic endeavours. This study emphasizes the revolutionary influence of her work on the state of women's education in South Asia by showcasing her creative approaches to encourage women's education. The study comes to the conclusion that Begum Rokeya left a legacy that inspires future generations and that her achievements set the groundwork for the advancement of women's rights and education.