First Female Chief Justice is Appointed in Mauritius

First Female Chief Justice is Appointed in Mauritius
Photo: Mikhail Pavstyuk, Unsplash

20-12-2021

Cătălina Gemănari

Africa and Human Rights Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence. 

Rehana Bibi Mungly-Gulbul is the first female to be appointed as the Chief Justice in Mauritania. The President of the Republic of Mauritius Prithviraj Roopun appointed her on 16 November 2021, with her appointment taking effect on 18 November. The retirement of   Justice Asraf Caunhye, who spent more than 20 years at the Supreme Court of Mauritius has led to Rehana Bibi Mungly-Gulbul being the first woman to take up the highest position in the country’s judiciary. She previously held the second highest role in the Judiciary, as Senior Puisne Judge. Her appointment follows a traditional practice on the hierarchy of seniority based on which the Senior Puisne Judge will be appointed as Chief Justice when the higher position is vacant. The nomination of Gulbul stands as an example to be applied to the third highest female judge who is likely to follow the footsteps of Gulbul. 

Sources and further reading:

Mauritius president appoints first female chief justice, 16 November 2021. JURIST. https://www.jurist.org/news/2021/11/mauritius-president-appoints-first-female-chief-justice/#