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.