DOZ Inspirational Biography
Mercy James
BENAZIR BHUTTO
“Democracy is necessary to peace and to
undermining the forces of terrorism.” This is one
of the famous quotes of the peace-loving woman,
Benazir Bhutto, who served as the prime minister
of Pakistan. She was the first woman to become
leader of a Muslim nation.
Benazir Bhutto was born to the family
of a politically indispensable and
wealthy aristocratic on the
21st of June 1953 in Karachi.
She was born with a silver
spoon like many other
fortunate children, but
unlike some of them,
she made the most of
the opportunity life
gave her and became
part of the women
with a permanent place
in history. Her family
practiced the Islamic
religion. They were Sunni
Muslims.
While growing up, Benazir
was very close to her father
who was the brain behind her
educational development something
which was not permitted for women. But he saw a
light in her, and unlike other fathers, he refused to
cover it; instead, he helped her shine regardless of
the general belief that women are inferior. Benazir
in return idolized him. She graduated with a degree
from Radcliff College and Harvard University at a
young age.
Benazir grew up in a political home and as such
was influenced to develop a political ambition right
from her school days. She occupied leadership
positions and proved to others that leaders are
meant to serve and not to be served. She was the
campus tour guide and social secretary of her
school.
Her desire for positive change, and to see her
country become a better place became evident
DOZ Magazine | May 2019
right from the days of her campaign against the U.S
involvement in the Vietnam War, participating in
Moratorium day protest and even fighting for the
rights of women.
Benazir continued to increase in her leadership
experience. She was the president of Oxford Union
during her time in the university. Following the
tragic incident of her father’s forceful removal
from power, she joined her mother in leading
a movement for the restoration of
democracy. This led to her arrest and
imprisonment by Muhammed
Zia-ul-Haq’s military
government and subsequent
exile to Britain in 1984.
Nevertheless, she
demonstrated the
extraordinary strength
of a woman with a
strong will when she
became the prime
minister in 1988. She
became the first woman
to head a democratic
government in a Muslim
majority nation. Although
she faced serious oppositions
and accusations, she was still
victorious for the second time in
1993.
The 27th of December 2007 marked the tragic
end of her life. She was assassinated. Although she
didn’t live a long life, she lived a fulfilled life and left
behind an impact that will last a lifetime. She was
a woman that chose to be different by doing what
other women are afraid to do. She was a woman
whose achievements surpass those of many men in
her day.
If only you would step out of your comfort zone
to strive for what you believe in, you can become
a woman that many women and men would
want to be. The strength to dominate is within
you. Don’t exhaust your time on earth without
unleashing all your potentials. Be the leader you
were born to be.
12
T
he seat of power has typically been associated
with men, but some women have risen to
authority and done what several men failed to
do correctly. Benazir Bhutto is one of such women.