Zia, Khaleda (1946–)

views updated

Zia, Khaleda (1946–)

Bangladeshi politician and prime minister. Name variations: Begum Khaleda Zia. Born Aug 15, 1946 (some sources cite 1944 or 1945), in Dinajpur, East Bengal; dau. of Iskander and Taiyaba Majumder; attended Surendranath College, Dinajpur; m. Ziaur Rahman (president of Bangladesh), early 1960s (assassinated 1981); children: 2 sons.

Following assassination of husband (1981), joined the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), which he had founded; became leader of BNP (1984), a position in which she coordinated repeated agitations against the autocratic regime of General Hossain Mohammad Ershad, which led to his resignation (1990); became the 1st woman prime minister of Bangladesh (Mar 20, 1991); focused on the advancement of women, ending illiteracy, and economic reform; resigned in the face of strong opposition (1996); worked as an opposition leader, continuing with the BNP; was returned to power as prime minister when her 4-party coalition gained a two-thirds majority in Parliament (Oct 2001).

See also Women in World History.