Jordan's High Judiciary Board has appointed the first woman in the country's history to the position of chief of court, local newspapers reported on Tuesday.
Ihssan Barakat, 43, who became chief of the Court of Instance in West Amman, will be in charge of 22 judges and 81 employees.
"This is a very important step for Arab women in the region. It is tough competition to be appointed as decision-maker," Barakat told the Jordan Times.
She said that her number one priority would be to provide an efficient judicial system.
"The constitutional law gives every Jordanian citizen the right to obtain justice. My goal is to make it as hassle-free, fast and fair as possible. Going to court should not be a punishment," she added.
Barakat also holds the post of deputy chairperson of the Arab Women Legal Network, a non-profit, non-governmental regional entity that aims to facilitate the advancement of Arab women working in the legal field. - Sapa-dpa