Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina (born 28 September 1947) is a Bangladeshi politician and the formar Prime Minister of Bangladesh, serving since 2009 to 2024. She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, and the long-time leader of the Bangladesh Awami League (AL). Sheikh Hasina is one of the longest-serving leaders in Bangladesh’s history and has played a central role in the country’s politics for decades.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Birth: 28 September 1947, Tungipara, Gopalganj District, East Bengal, then part of India.
Family: Daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (first Prime Minister of Bangladesh) and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib.
Education: Studied at the University of Dhaka, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Arts (Economics).
Personal Life: Married M. A. Wazed Miah, a nuclear scientist; the couple has a son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

Political Career[edit | edit source]

Early Political Involvement[edit | edit source]

Entered politics during the early 1970s, working with the Awami League.
Survived the 15 August 1975 assassination of her father and most of her family.
Lived in India in exile until returning to Bangladesh in 1981.

Leadership of Awami League[edit | edit source]

Became President of the Awami League in 1981.
Led the party through military rule and political transitions during the 1980s and 1990s.
Promoted democracy, civil rights, and economic development as core political agendas.

Terms as Prime Minister[edit | edit source]

1996–2001: First term as Prime Minister; focused on education, infrastructure, and administrative reforms.
2009–Present: Serving multiple consecutive terms. Key initiatives include:
- Digital Bangladesh program
- Expansion of energy and transport infrastructure
- Poverty alleviation programs
- Women’s empowerment and education reforms
- Economic growth initiatives and foreign investment promotion

Policies and Ideology[edit | edit source]

Supports secularism, democracy, and socio-economic development.
Advocates for regional cooperation, particularly with India, China, and other South Asian countries.
Prioritizes economic modernization, digital governance, and climate change mitigation.
Strong emphasis on women’s rights and education in policy planning.

Challenges and Controversies[edit | edit source]

Criticized by opposition parties for restricting political space and using state institutions against rivals.
Faced allegations of human rights and electoral fairness issues by international observers.
Managed complex challenges such as natural disasters, Rohingya refugee crisis, and global economic pressures.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Sheikh Hasina is recognized for transforming Bangladesh’s infrastructure, economy, and digital governance.
Maintains significant political influence both nationally and internationally.
Often credited with stability and economic growth, while also facing criticism over political centralization.
Continues the political legacy of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in leading the Awami League and shaping Bangladesh’s modern governance.