Benazir Bhutto - 21 June 1953 to 27 December 2007

If anyone personified the feminist debate in Pakistan, it was Benazir Bhutto. Personally she challenged tradition, patriarchal norms and defied cultural boundaries. Politically her identity remained confined within the limits of male-defined politics, marital norms and religious faith. She kept her maiden name but also kept the dupatta. These contradictions made her simultaneously the repository of hope and target of criticism on the woman's question. Men will argue that she was assassinated for her politics but the feminist perspective will necessarily see her death as a comment on the personal struggle of women in politics and in public service.

FULL STORY: The writer is a sociologist based in Karachi. She has a background in women's studies and has authored and edited several books on women's issues

Email: afiyazia@yahoo.com