Afghanistan gets first ever female SC judge

In a historic decision, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani has appointed a female judge to the country's Supreme Court for the first time, angering some Islamic conservatives.

Anisa Rasouli, a former juvenile court judge and the head of the Afghan Women Judges Association, is the only female to be appointed to the nine-member bench, reported The Express Tribune.

Addressing a gathering of diplomats and women's rights activists, Ghani said that he was 'proud' that he had appointed a woman to the prestigious post for the first time, adding that the decision would not alter the judicial system. He urged all ministries to appoint female deputy ministers.

Ghani also said that the decision was taken with the support of the Ulema.

The nomination, which requires the parliament's approval, is part of the efforts taken by Ghani's unity government to promote more women to high-profile positions. They have already appointed two female governors for the provinces of Ghor and Daikundi in a move hailed by rights campaigners.

The move has been met with resistance from Islamic conservatives, who delayed the announcement earlier this month.

Under the 1996-2001 Taliban regime, women were not allowed to leave their homes without a male chaperone and were often denied basic rights such as education.