Bhutto on family, education and women

Bhutto on family, education and women

In conjunction with Pakistani Prime Minister Mohtrama Benazir
Bhutto's visit to Indonesia today, The Jakarta Post reprints the
following interview by Femina's correspondent in Islamabad, LM
Gamieme.

JAKARTA (JP): Question: What is your feeling about finally
becoming prime minister after having faced long difficulties in
prison?

Answer: Every hardship can be endured if one is sure of one's
cause. These difficulties and hardships are even more endurable
when you know that you are not alone but there are millions of
others rising in your support. The workers of the Pakistan
Peoples Party went through torture and hardships during the
ruthless rule of a dictator during martial law. Our masses have
suffered in the quest for democracy but they remained steadfast.
My feeling on being elected prime minister was one of gratitude
to the Almighty. I had a special sense of satisfaction in having
successfully rid my country of a dictatorial regime. Having
restored a democratic order in the country, I did not want to
rest on my laurels and it was my endeavor then, as it is today,
to fortify the democratic institutions so that in future no
dictator could dare usurp power.

Q: What does your father mean to you?

A: My father has always meant a great deal to me. The
political philosophy of my father and principles for which he
stood have always guided me and given me strength during my
struggle for the restoration of democracy. The downtrodden and
under privileged people of Pakistan rallied around him when he
took upon himself the challenge of freeing them from the bondage
of a dictator like Ayub Khan. The political consciousness that
our people attained during his governance of the country is
unparalleled in the history of our nation. The people of Pakistan
are still beholden to my father and fondly cherish the memories.

Q: You were prepared by your father to become a leader. Do you
ever think "I wish my father could see me now?"

A: It is true that my father provided me the best possible
education, but it was not meant to make me a political leader. I
was forced into becoming a political figure by circumstances
after my father was jailed and executed by a dictator. Had he
been alive today I would not have given even the remotest thought
to a political career. I would have rather preferred a career in
the foreign service.

My father always had great confidence in me and I am sure he
believed that I had qualities to carry on the political struggle
after his martyrdom. I would like to believe that I have lived up
to his expectations.

Q: How would you like to educate your children? Will you
educate them abroad? What is the advantage of getting an
education abroad?

A: My children are going to schools in Pakistan. It is too
early to say whether I will send them abroad for education. I
feel it is not overseas education alone that grooms a child into
a confident and mature person. With it should be imbibed the
strength of character and commitment to excellence. It is such a
combination of education and training that puts a young girl or a
young boy ahead of others.

Q: Education is to humanize human beings, what are your
efforts to educate your people? What is the quality of education
in Pakistan?

A: I agree with you that education plays a major role in
making people sensitive to the sufferings of others and more
humane in their attitude towards the neglected and the
underprivileged. We are committed to the concept of "Education
for All". We intend to universalize primary education in the
shortest possible period.

Under a comprehensive social action program, my government has
launched a vigorous campaign to increase literacy to 50 percent
by the close of the century. We shall achieve this both through
formal and non-formal means.

We intend to enhance vocational education and for this purpose
we are establishing more polytechnic institutions to match skills
with jobs. We are also encouraging private enterprises to set up
educational institutions.

As regards the second part of your question, I would rate the
standard and quality of education in Pakistan as second to none
in the developing world. I am proud to say that students
graduating from our institutions have made their mark in research
and scholastic pursuits in the best known universities and
institutions of learning in the developed world.

Q: How do you balance your career and your family? What are
your hopes and worries for your children?

A: It is not easy. Most of my time is taken by state
responsibilities and matters relating to the party. Consequently,
very little time is left for the family. But I am quite fortunate
to have a loving and caring husband. He understands my position.
The children too are getting used to it, though they do miss me
as I do them. But one has to make such personal sacrifices for a
greater cause like serving the people. It gives one a unique
sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Q: What does marriage mean for you?

A: I believe my marriage means a great deal to me. It has
provided me confidence and a sense of security as indeed an
enrichment in life that can only be attained through marriage and
the raising of a family. It has also provided me strength to
pursue my political career with greater confidence and vigor.

Q: What efforts have been made to uplift the status of women
and their role in Pakistan since you became prime minister?

A: Being a woman, I have a special responsibility towards
Pakistani women. Exploitation of women has many aspects to it. To
look into those and to take remedial measures, we have appointed
a law commission.

I would like to say that as a woman, I can appreciate the
feelings and aspirations of women a shade better and it is this
appreciation that helps focus our policies more sharply on
raising their status.

We have taken some concrete measures to ensure the full
participation of women in contributing towards the progress and
development of the country. Five percent of jobs have been
earmarked for women in all government and government controlled
organizations. For the first time in our country's history, women
judges have been appointed to superior courts and exclusive women
police stations set up. A comprehensive social action program has
been launched to improve literacy and health care in the rural
areas. Women will be the main beneficiaries of the program.

Because of social and cultural reasons, representation of
women has been very low in the national and provincial
assemblies. We are thus working on constitutional measures to
provide reserve seats for women in our legislature.

Slowly but surely the women of Pakistan are attaining a
position of honor and dignity in our society. The trend we have
set in gender equality through emancipation of women is now
irreversible. As a result of these measures, the great potential
of the women of Pakistan will surely blossom and ensure their
contribution towards progress of the country.

Q: To change the people requires changing the law. What have
you done so far to change or improve the status and rights of
women in Pakistan?

A: I am happy to say that we have come a long way since the
utter neglect the women of Pakistan were subjected to under a
dictator. A realization has now dawned that the rights of women
be protected and advanced. My election twice as prime minister of
the country is a demonstration of this assertiveness and
awakening.

A law commission has been appointed to look into laws
discriminatory to women. We will take its recommendations to the
legislature for remedial action. Fortunately, our task has been
easier because the unanimously adopted Constitution of 1973,
under Pakistan's first democratically elected Prime Minister
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, guarantees women fundamental rights and
protection. The constitution brooks no discrimination on the
basis of gender.

Q: As a female prime minister, do you find any obstacle or
hindrance in adopting Islamic practices?

A: Islam is a religion which has well defined the role of
women and upholds their rights and privileges. It is not at all
restrictive in nature. It has, therefore, provided me strength
and courage of conviction to take on challenges in the political
field. Islam encourages full participation of women in every walk
of life, including politics.

It is not religion but the deep rooted social and cultural
taboos and misplaced values that make the task of a women
political difficult in countries like ours. I have faced them and
overcome them with the help and support of the masses of
Pakistan.

Q: Would you like to give some message to the Indonesian
people, especially to Indonesian women?

A: I would like to extend my best wishes to the people of
Indonesia. We have a great deal in common. We have a common
faith. Our people have similar aspirations. My message to all is
one of peace and amity. Whether it is men or women, we all have
to work together for progress and development of our respective
countries. All of us have to work for global peace to ensure a
secure and prosperous future for our children.