November 4, 2023
2 mins read

Sheikh Hasina: Longest-Serving Female Leader, Transforming Bangladesh

Having already won more elections than late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher or Indira Gandhi, Hasina is determined to extend that run at the ballot box in January.

 At 76-years-old, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a political phenomenon who has guided the rise of this nation of 170 million from rustic jute producer into the Asia-Pacific’s fastest-expanding economy over the past decade, Time said in a cover story on the world’s longest-serving female head of govt.

In office since 2009, after an earlier term from 1996 to 2001, she has been credited with subduing both resurgent Islamists and a once meddlesome military, Time said.

Having already won more elections than late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher or Indira Gandhi, Hasina is determined to extend that run at the ballot box in January.

“I am confident that my people are with me,” she says in an interview with Time in September. “They’re my main strength.”

Bangladesh has taken an authoritarian turn under Hasina’s Awami League party. The last two elections were condemned by the US, E.U. and others for significant irregularities, including stuffed ballot boxes and thousands of phantom voters.

She won 84 per cene and 82 per cent of the vote, respectively.

Today, Khaleda Zia, two-time former Premier and BNP leader, sits gravely ill under house arrest on dubious corruption charges.

(Pic credits @MoPEMR)

Meanwhile, BNP workers have been hit by a staggering 4 million legal cases, while independent journalists and civil society also complain of vindictive harassment.

Critics say January’s vote is tantamount to a coronation and Hasina to a dictator, Time said.

“The ruling party is controlling all the state machinery, whether it’s the law enforcement agencies or the judiciary,” says BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who has been charged in 93 cases—including vandalism and murder—and imprisoned nine times.

“Whenever we raise our voices, they oppress us.”

Hasina’s economic achievements are impressive.

Bangladesh has gone from struggling to feed its people to a food exporter with a GDP rising from $71 billion in 2006 to $460 billion in 2022, making it South Asia’s second largest economy after India.

Social indicators have also improved, with 98 per cent of girls today receiving primary education. Bangladesh is moving into high-tech manufacturing, allowing international firms like Samsung to extricate supply chains from China.

“We need to improve, of course, when it comes to democracy, human rights, free speech,” says Professor Mohammad Ali Arafat, an Awami League lawmaker from central Dhaka.

“But we have come a long way.”

Hasina knows that a bitter and bruised opposition means failure is not an option.

“It is not that easy to overthrow me through a democratic system,” she says. “The only option is just to eliminate me. And I am ready to die for my people.”

ALSO READ: World Bank Grants $210M to Bangladesh For Women, Children

Previous Story

‘Justice to Gujarat Riots Victims Unrealised’

Next Story

EAM, Italian counterpart Tajani sign pacts to boost youth mobility

Latest from -Top News

India, France Unite Against Terror

The two sides also focused on challenges posed by radicalisation and extremism, especially online…reports Asian Lite News India and France reiterated their strong commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms during

Jaishankar Pushes Ukraine Truce

Reaffirming its support for an end to the conflict in Ukraine, India expressed hope that all parties would move ahead constructively towards establishing lasting peace…reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S.

India, Mauritius Eye Closer Ties

Lauding ties between India and Mauritius, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the two nations are not just partners but family….reports Asian Lite News Reaffirming their shared vision for peace

Amnesty blows lid on Pakistan’s mass surveillance

Amnesty exposes global tech firms fuelling Pakistan’s vast surveillance network, where foreign-supplied tools enable censorship, spying, and repression, leaving citizens trapped in a digital panopticon with no escape….reports Asian Lite News Pakistan’s

Beijing urges calm in Nepal

China urges calm as Nepal reels from violent protests, mass prison breaks, and PM Oli’s resignation, leaving the Himalayan nation battling political upheaval and security chaos….reports Asian Lite news Beijing on Wednesday
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Open letter urges Bangladesh to protect minorities 

The initiative, coordinated by India’s former High Commissioner to Bangladesh

BANGLADESH: Hasina Fuels Growth

The last 14 years of the Awami League Government have