CAIRO: Nearly 100 women have taken the constitutional oath on Tuesday and become the first female judges at Egypt's State Council, one of the country's main judicial bodies.
In line with the county's plan to empower women in the judiciary sector, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi instructed in March the State Council and the Public Prosecution, the two judicial bodies once exclusive for male judges, to appoint females.
The first batch of female members at the council included 48 judges as assistant counsellors and 50 as vice-counsellors.
"The move is a dear gift for women in Egypt," said Taha Karsoua, vice president of the State Council.
Karsoua said the decision is an implementation of Sisi's directives, adding that the new judges will have the same tasks as male judges in achieving justice and settling conflicts in all the council courts.
The State Council, established in 1946, is an independent judicial body that is exclusively competent to adjudicate in administrative disputes, disciplinary cases and appeals, and disputes pertaining to its decisions.
"I'm so proud to be appointed as a judge in the State Council. It is an honour to be part of the administrative judiciary," said Reem Moussa, one of the newly sworn-in judges.
Moussa said she had thought it was impossible for a woman to become a judge at the council because it was a group without female judges for 75 years.
"Today is a victory for Egyptian women, and an implementation of the constitution articles that stipulate equality between men and women in jobs," she told Xinhua, reiterating that it is an incentive for all females to achieve better in all jobs.
Egypt's National Council for Women (NCW) applauded the appointment of female judges in the State Council as a move showing the political will of the county's leadership to further empower women.
"The dreams of earlier generations of women had finally come true," said Maya Mursi, head of the NCW, adding that she was happy to witness such a historic moment that crowned the Egyptian women's course.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Oct 20 2021
New judges take a photo after a swearing-in ceremony before Egypt's State Council, in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. - AP
After Sinwar's death, Israel aims to lock in strategic gains before US election
Israeli leaders are seeking to reshape regional landscape in Israel's favour and shield its borders from any future attacks, sources said.
Netanyahu told Trump Israel will make decisions based on its interests, PM's office says
Israel is pondering its military reaction to recent Iranian missile strikes.
Ringgit extends positive momentum to open higher against US dollar
The ringgit traded higher against the US Dollar in today's early session, driven by continued buying interest towards the local currency.
BHP faces $47 billion UK lawsuit over Brazilian dam collapse
More than 600,000 Brazilians, 46 local governments, and around 2,000 businesses are suing BHP over the collapse of the dam.
Trump hands out french fries in Pennsylvania, Harris visits Georgia churches
Both candidates were scrambling for votes in the most competitive states.
Brazil's Lula cancels BRICS trip after minor brain hemorrhage from fall
Lula "was advised to avoid long-distance air travel but is otherwise able to carry out his regular duties."
Lebanese flee as blasts hit Beirut, Israel warns of strikes on Hezbollah finance arm
On Sunday Israel said it hit Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters and an underground weapons workshop in Beirut.
87 people killed or missing in northern Gaza's Beit Lahiya, health ministry says
A total of 87 people were killed or missing under the rubble after an Israeli attack on Saturday on northern Gaza's town of Beit Lahiya.
Hundreds of colonists storm Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy Israeli protection
Hundreds of Israeli colonists stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday morning during the fourth day of the Jewish Sukkot festival.
ANALYSIS - What could happen if Trump rejects the US election results
If Trump seems to be losing, the delay could let him claim fraud and undermine confidence in election officials.
Motorcycling - Marquez wins Australian MotoGP after intense battle with Martin
The 31-year-old, third in the championship standings, has now won the Australian MotoGP four times in the premier class.
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy, vowing to combat internal issues
Nepal's Sherpas deserve more, says teenager who scaled world's 14 tallest peaks
Sherpas are known for climbing skills that make them the backbone of mountain expeditions.
Inside the underground lab in China tasked with solving a physics mystery
China will soon collect neutrino data, aiming to unravel one of particle physics' biggest mysteries.
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.