Dhaka: Begum Khaleda Zia never set out to be a political icon. History, however, had other plans. After the tragic assassination of President Ziaur Rahman in 1981, she was thrust into public life from her role as a housewife. She entered the political arena with no formal training, relying only on an inherent quality to lead and an iron resolve that would later define an era.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, in March 1983, Khaleda Zia became vice-chairperson of the BNP, and in August 1984, the party elected her chairperson. She became the uncompromising face of the anti-Ershad movement. Her supporters called her ‘Aposh-hin Netri’ (uncompromising leader) as she consistently refused to participate in elections held while Ershad was in power, notably the 1986 Jatiya Sangsad elections. She declared them illegal and urged people to resist. For a younger generation that fought fascism between 2009 and 2024, she became a living symbol of resistance.
Her rise to power in 1991 marked a watershed moment as she became the first female prime minister of Bangladesh and only the second in the Muslim world. Despite barriers, she, along with other Muslim women leaders, impacted gender issues significantly, becoming role models for many women worldwide.
During her three terms in office, from 1991-1995, briefly after February 1996 elections, and from 2001-2005, Khaleda Zia implemented several reforms. These included making primary education free and compulsory, offering free schooling for girls up to tenth grade, and pioneering the “Food for Education” programme. Economic reforms under her leadership saw the introduction of institutions like the Value Added Tax (VAT), the Privatization Board, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, which helped Bangladesh enter global markets.
After assuming office in 2001, she established the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to aid freedom fighters, recognizing Taraman Bibi with the state honor “Bir Protik” for her courage. Her short-lived government in 1996 introduced a crucial democratic reform by amending the constitution to create a non-partisan caretaker system for national elections.
Her tenure saw the establishment of Bangladesh Open University and the National University, along with approvals for private universities, marking milestones in the nation’s education sector. On the international stage, she advocated for regional cooperation through SAARC and cultivated relationships with major global powers like the United States, China, and India.
Even in opposition, a role she held twice, her unyielding commitment to democratic ideals and the personal sacrifices she made earned her international praise as the “Mother of Democracy.” In 2011, the New Jersey State Senate recognized her as a “Fighter for Democracy” for her dedication to the cause.
Khaleda Zia’s emergence as a leader contributed to Bangladesh being viewed as a unique example of women leadership in politics. In 1991, she addressed the OIC Summit as the first woman head of government, representing a Muslim-majority country with Islam as the state religion.
Throughout her 35 years of party leadership, she remained committed to democracy, often vocally opposing hegemony that threatened the country’s independence, sovereignty, and dignity. Despite facing political persecution from Sheikh Hasina’s government, Khaleda Zia and her legacy have become synonymous with the nation’s political landscape.