Sushila Karki has become the first female acting Chief Justice of Nepal's Supreme Court ending the male domination in higher posts in the judiciary.
The Constitutional Council headed by the Prime Minister KP Sharama Oli recommended the appointment of Karki, 63, replacing Kalyan Shrestha, who retired on Tuesday reported The Himalayan Times.
Her nomination is expected to be confirmed by a parliamentary committee, though this has not yet been formed because of bickering among political parties.
Karki has the reputation of being a fearless judge with zero tolerance for corruption.
She is also known for judgments allowing women to pass their citizenship to their children, previously something only men could do in Nepal.
She strongly believes that competent women should be in leadership positions for the emancipation of women and is known for delivering judgments free from the influence of political or personal ties.
Former colleagues say Karki is known for delivering judgments free of the influence of politics or personal ties.
The Himalayan nation, though still a deeply patriarchal society, is becoming increasingly inclusive, following the end of 10 years of civil war in 2006 and the abolition of the 239-year-old feudal monarchy two years later.
Last year, a specially elected Constituent Assembly approved the first post-monarchical constitution, which gave women the right to 'proportional inclusion'in all government organs.
It also guaranteed equal property rights to daughters and required that the president and vice-president be from different genders and communities.
