Sheikh Hasina is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a prominent political leader in the country. Born on September 28, 1947, in Tungipara, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), she is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and its first president. She has been a key figure in Bangladeshi politics for several decades.
Sheikh Hasina’s political journey began in the 1980s, following the assassination of her father and most of her family members in 1975. After years of exile, she returned to Bangladesh in 1981 and became the leader of the Awami League, one of the major political parties in the country. Her leadership has shaped the political landscape of Bangladesh, particularly through her advocacy for democracy, economic development, and the welfare of the people.
Hasina first became Prime Minister in 1996 and served until 2001. After a brief period out of office, she returned to power in 2009 and has remained in office ever since, winning multiple elections. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has seen significant economic growth, though her tenure has also been marked by controversies, including concerns over human rights and political freedoms.
Sheikh Hasina is known for her role in promoting gender equality, improving infrastructure, and fostering foreign relations, especially with neighboring countries like India. Her leadership during the Rohingya refugee crisis in 2017, when over a million Rohingya refugees fled Myanmar to Bangladesh, also garnered international attention.
Hasina’s leadership is often credited with stabilizing the country and advancing its economic development, though she has faced criticism for her authoritarian style and alleged suppression of political opposition. Nonetheless, she remains one of the most influential figures in Bangladesh’s modern history.