How did the assassination of Bhutto impact the womens rights movement?
FS: The assassination of Benazir was a blow to women in Pakistan as a whole, she symbolized for many the full potential of women here – that women could become the head of government. Although Benazir was not a women’s rights activist as such, many in the women’s movement were profoundly shocked and upset. She was a defiant woman and a progressive force for democracy in very troubled times for the country. Her acceding to power had immense symbolic impact: this assumption by a woman of democratically elected power reverberated throughout society – resulting in an immediate easing of the social atmosphere, an invisible but palpable lifting of social constraints and a greater respect for women’s rights demands than otherwise. It was in this sense that her assassination was a tragedy for the women and women’s movement in Pakistan. AWID: What are your thoughts on the recent election of her widower, Asif Ali Zardari as President? What is the potential for his appointment to impact women’s r
