Benazir Bhutto

[jazzactivist]

Hi all, did you hear the news that the Pakistan opposition party leader, Benazir Butto has been shot and killed? This is terrible news for women in Pakistan, as she was trying to challenge the patriarchal political system there. Now politics will be put back by several decades, and the hope that women will stop being blamed for their own abuse and attacked and killed under Sharia Law will also lose ground. I have a friend who is in Pakistan right now trying to get her divorce in the UK finalised under Sharia Law, so that she can take back property that was originally hers from a really brutal ex-husband, to help support her children. Her trip there was made possible by the expectation that Benazir Butto would win the election and this had recently led to a few more liberal changes to the divorce laws for women. It had given lots of women hope for more equality in future, so her death will be devastating news for them. I feel sad for Benazir Bhutto, my friend and other women in Pakistan. What do others think about it?

[franbee]

Yes, we were watching the news as it happened. I agree with what you say, Pakistani women seem to have a difficult time.

[Oola]

I have to say I haven't seen this on the news, but to be honest thought that she would come to this sort of end. I seem to remember her saying that she expected the same, but I hope that the moderate population Pakistan will not be beaten down, and that some good will be found and continue out of this tragedy.

[SummerSkye]

I was saddened to read of this earlier today. In truth though I was expecting it at some point, as she herself was. I hope that her death can highlight the changes she was hoping to implement in Pakistan and not be in vain.

[Healing Hands]

Oola I too thought that something dreadful would happen to her. It is such a sad lose, when will all this end?

[Oola]

What is encouraging though is the palpable response to her death, it highlights just how many people were behind her and her ideas. It's just very sad that they're reacting in such a violent way - it almost belies what she stood for I think.

[Redstart]

Yes, her assassination has made me sad. Let's hope her death will form a backlash against the current government and that a more moderate party (hers) will get in and make life easier for women.

[Crocus]

Hi, I was quite shocked at hearing this news! A sad day for the women of Pakistan, for sure!

[Rosie]

I remember hearing her critising the police in anger as they made efforts to protect her safety. She should never have exposed her body in the way she did - I know I shouldn't critisise the victim here - but given the situation is Pakistan it seemed to me she had a responsibility to take measures to do her best to ensure her safety. Her murder was shocking and disappointing. Tragic waste of a good life.