Dr. Sadeka Halim speaks to DOT :
The meaning of power is in how it’s used. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina achieving 26th in the Forbes 100 most powerful women is the result of her success.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received many accolades for her powerful leadership with which she has taken the country forward. In this patriarchal society, women have to overcome a lot of obstacles. Our political and economic foundations are completely patriarchal. The fact that Sheikh Hasina was able to remain prime minister for so long in such a patriarchal environment and use her success in such a positive light makes her a leader of the people. Through different actions she was able to touch the hearts of the people. She prepared just laws for the disabled before which society didn’t even used to consider them as people, ostracized them. And because of these laws, people are now more socially aware, disabled people are getting government jobs and able to pursue education. In addition, the prime minister has worked for the development of marginal societies, especially considering the 1997 treaty which she ratified. She also did much for the empowerment of women. There was once a time when we didn’t see so many women in so many industries, but thanks to Sheikh Hasina, women now have the opportunity to prove their worth.
An important fact is that climate change has severely affected Bangladesh, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was first to tell the international community that developing nations are not responsible for this. She has also played an important role in curbing crime and terrorism, for which she has received praise from several world leaders.
With all things considered, she is a very capable world leader. Right now she is in 26th; in the future she’ll go higher.
This is our hope.
Dr. Sadeka Halim is a professor of Sociology, University of Dhaka
Interview by Khairul Alam, Translated by Abrar Hussain