The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has voted to approve Justice Ayesha Malik to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, making her the first woman judge of the apex court. The JCP voted 5 to 4 in favor of her nomination.
Justice Malik has served on the Lahore High Court since 2012. Throughout her tenure, she has delivered decisive judgements regarding gender equality, including the right to vote as well as against maintaining a women quota in government departments and medical colleges. She also hears a variety of constitutional petitions on tax, environmental and regulatory matters.
In January 2021, Justice Malik presided over the landmark ruling abolishing the controversial ‘two-finger’ virginity test for rape survivors.
“The biggest way I’ve had an impact is that I’ve become a voice. I’m there to call out the discrimination, call out stereotyping, and bring out the gender perspective. I’m the voice that nudges, reminds, and suggests ways to improve ourselves and make our system more inclusive,” Malik said in an interview with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Until today's historic vote, Pakistan was the only country in South Asia to never have had a female Supreme Court judge. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) found in 2016 that only about 4 per cent of Pakistan’s High Court judges were women.
Justice Malik has served on the Lahore High Court since 2012. Throughout her tenure, she has delivered decisive judgements regarding gender equality, including the right to vote as well as against maintaining a women quota in government departments and medical colleges. She also hears a variety of constitutional petitions on tax, environmental and regulatory matters.
In January 2021, Justice Malik presided over the landmark ruling abolishing the controversial ‘two-finger’ virginity test for rape survivors.
“The biggest way I’ve had an impact is that I’ve become a voice. I’m there to call out the discrimination, call out stereotyping, and bring out the gender perspective. I’m the voice that nudges, reminds, and suggests ways to improve ourselves and make our system more inclusive,” Malik said in an interview with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Until today's historic vote, Pakistan was the only country in South Asia to never have had a female Supreme Court judge. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) found in 2016 that only about 4 per cent of Pakistan’s High Court judges were women.