Freshly elected for the consecutive fifth term, Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, stated that while she tends to her people with maternal care, her gender does not limit her ability to do her job. She averred, “Actually when you run the country, you should not think about whether you are a man or a woman. When I took over power, I had heard many things about it. But when I work, when I start working, I never thought I am a woman, I had restrictions, no.”
“I try to work for my people and yes, I can tell you one thing. A woman as a mother (they) look after families, look after children, (I have) brought up children. With motherly affection, I look after my people. And I try to assist them and help them,” she answered.
In response to a query contrasting her with other notable female presidents or prime ministers such as Israel’s Golda Meir, Sri Lanka’s Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and India’s Indira Gandhi, the head of the Awami League spoke.
“You mentioned about Mrs Gandhi, Sirimavo Bandarnayake or Golda Mier. They are very great ladies. I am not. I am very simple, just a common person. I feel I am just a common person,” she said, asserting, “I am not saying I have not got much but one thing, I always feel (is) my responsibility for my people that I have to serve them. So I never felt that this is a position I have to run it no I felt this is an opportunity to serve my country, my people, and ensure that they get a better life.”
Speaking of taking home two-thirds of the seats in an election that the main opposition parties had abstained from, she stated, “But yes, it is about people. Our people gave me this opportunity. Time and again, people are voting for me and I am here. I have survived many times and I think, Allah gave me this opportunity.”
