ISLAMABAD: Justice Ayesha Malik, the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, on Tuesday made it to the British Broadcasting Cooperation’s list of 100 inspiring women from around the world.
The BBC said it had been compiling the list for about a decade, adding that a number of steps had been taken by nations across the world to recognize women’s rights. However, it warned that there were still places where women did not have basic rights and had a long way to go.
The list included women from different parts of the world who have recognized in politics, education, activism, advocacy, health, science, sports and culture. From Pakistan, Justice Malik was the only woman who was named in the 10th season of 100 Women.
“Appointed this year as the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Ayesha A. Malik has authored judgments protecting the rights of women,” the BBC said while writing her brief introduction. “This includes her landmark judgment which banned the so-called two-finger test of rape victims. These ‘virginity tests’ used to be performed during the examinations of sexual assault cases until they were outlawed in 2021.”
It noted Justice Malik was not only playing an active role in the Supreme Court but was also conducting training for judges around the world.
The BBC said her appointment to Pakistan’s top court encouraged debate about gender perspective in the justice system of the country.
“Women must build a new narrative — one that includes their perspective, shares their experience, and includes their stories,” she was quoted as saying.
The list also reflected the role of women at the heart of conflict around the world in 2022 – from the protesters demanding change in Iran, to the female faces of conflict and resistance in Ukraine and Russia.
