The name Khaleda Zia has for years stood the test of time as an embodiment of struggle and tenacity, and in retrospective it can also be described as the pace-setter for Bangladesh’s political arena for more than three decades.
She became the first female head of government and was able to create a precedent on female leaderships in that nation. This is a story of resilience against odds, an untiring spirit steadied to this nation – making a mark that can never be erased.
Khaleda Zia’s movement into politics defied common practices at the time. She came from Dinajpur where she was born on August 15, 1945 and got married to Ziaur Rahman who had been one of leading military figure during the 1971 war and who eventually served as President.
They were blessed with two sons, Tarique and Arafat Rahman respectively. Her life changed forever when her husband was murdered in 1981; his death propelled Khaleda Zia into notoriety, ultimately leading to her ascent to head the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which was established by her spouse.
For someone entering into politics at such early stages there always seems to be obstacles –especially for a woman. During its independence struggle Bangladesh faced various socio-economic and political challenges on their own without any outside help or intervention whatsoever; and so it continued even after gaining its separation from Pakistan in 1971.
Nevertheless amidst all such threats arose Khaleda Zia in the midst of turmoil with such mettle that once she spoke no one else could be heard within parliament chambers nor could they speak if she never said anything throughout meetings. Her voice therefore came to command muteness.
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