[mwrkhan]

Originally posted by razabq

Doesn't change the fact that we as a society are quite prepared to accept them as such or that families have the mindset to groom their children as such. In US it's perfectly acceptable to the psyche that Bush Sr. should groom his two kids for politics or the males from the Kennedy clan should go into it. How come you don't hear of a Chelsea or Laura being groomed to do the same?

I think you are being generous in attributing the electoral status of Bandarnayeke, Benazir, Sukyi, Khaleda and Hasina to family grooming. The only female sub-continental politician who could be said to have been groomed for office was Indira Gandhi. As for the rest, they owe their positions almost exclusively to their familial status as daughters or wives of male politicians who lost power through unconstitutional or unnatural means (coup d'etat, assassination etc., Sukyi's father Gen. Aung San, the first leader of independent Burma died of natural causes I think). While it is true that we sub-continentals are prepared to see family lines continue in politics, how healthy is this mindset? Recall Sonia Gandhi, was she ever groomed? Yet there was a collective frenzy in some quarters to see her as PM. Come to think of it, Rajiv Gandhi was also thrust into the political limelight by default (it was his younger brother who was being groomed). Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that our acceptance of female heads of state/government is not an artifact of some enlightened attitude towards female emancipation (with or without religious foundation), but more of a mental pathology combined with a herd instinct.

As for muslim acceptance of prime ministers, there is a great deal of antagonism towards the concept of a female leader of the nation. When Benazir became PM many male quarters could not accept it. Same with Khaleda when she first became PM. Only when it was pointed out that a prime minister is the head of government and not head of state were they somewhat placated. Remember, the Bangladesh head of state is not Khaleda Zia but ceremonial president Iajuddin Ahmed.

In the west, apart from Thatcher, there have been several leaders of government. Golda Meier of Israel (six day war anyone?), current PM of New Zealand Helen Clarke, Edith Cresson of France (PM in 1991-92) and Kim Campbell of Canada (6 months in 1993). Mary Robinson, current president of Ireland, holds a ceremonial post.