EXPLORING BEGUM ROKEYA'S VISION OF EDUCATION AS A PATHWAY TO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIBERATION FOR BENGALI WOMEN

This study investigates two critical aspects related to the role of women in early 20th-century Bengali society. The first part focuses on the reception of Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain's ideas on women's education, exploring her pioneering efforts to challenge the prevailing social and cultural norms that confined women to the domestic sphere. By examining both the support and resistance she faced, the study outlines the impact of her educational advocacy on Bengali society, as well as its long-term influence on feminist movements in Bengal and beyond. The second part delves into the broader social and cultural challenges faced by women during this period, such as patriarchal structures, limited access to education, religious conservatism, economic dependency, and the cultural stereotypes that restricted women's autonomy. The analysis also highlights the role of early social reformers, including Begum Rokeya herself, in addressing these barriers and advocating for change. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between social expectations, cultural norms, and the emerging movements for women's rights in early 20th-century Bengal. Keywords : Women's education , Early 20th century, Social reform , Gender norms , Cultural challenges , Women’s rights , Social and cultural change , Women's empowerment