Justice Ayesha Malik, Pakistan’s first female Supreme Court judge, has been named to the BBC’s list of 100 inspiring and influential women in the world for 2022.
In January of this year, Justice Ayesha Malik took her oath of office and became the country’s first female Supreme Court justice. The list includes women from all over the world who have made significant contributions to politics, education, activism, advocacy, health, science, sports, and culture. Justice Malik is Pakistan’s only woman to be named to the BBC’s 100 Women list for the tenth time.
According to the BBC, Justice Ayesha Malik has authored decisions protecting women’s rights, including a “landmark judgement that banned the so-called two-finger test of rape victims” that was performed during the examination of sexual assault cases. “In addition to her role on the Supreme Court, Malik conducts training for judges all over the world and has inaugurated conferences for female judges in Pakistan, encouraging debate about including a gender perspective in the justice system.”
In January, Justice Ayesha was sworn in, marking a watershed moment for the country.
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Later, in an interview with the media, former Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed stated that he would not take credit for Justice Ayesha’s appointment to the Supreme Court. “She deserved to be a Supreme Court justice.”
Other women on the BBC’s list include Billie Eilish, Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, actresses Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Selma Blair, Alla Pugacheva, the ‘tsarina of Russian pop,’ Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi, record-breaking triple jump athlete Yulimar Rojas, and Ghanaian author Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah.
“Women must create a new narrative — one that includes their perspective, shares their experience, and tells their stories,” Justice Ayesha Malik, Pakistan’s first female Supreme Court justice, said upon being named to the prestigious list.
