Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has nominated a leading lawyer to become the country's first ever female Supreme Court judge.
Anisa Rasooli, the head of the Afghan Women Judges Association and a former juvenile court judge, was the only female nominated to the nine-member bench.
Ghani made the announcement during a June 30 gathering of diplomats and women's rights activists.
The nomination requires approval by parliament.
The move has sparked some criticism in the conservative country.
Earlier this month, a group of clerics in Kabul protested against the possible appointment of a female judge to the Supreme Court.
As part of government efforts to promote more women to high-ranking positions, Ghani has already appointed two females as governors of the provinces of Ghor and Daikundi,
In April, lawmakers approved four female nominees for cabinet positions.
Ghani also said on June 30 that he wanted all ministries to appoint female deputy ministers.