Women have long complained they face discrimination in cases involving divorce, child custody rights, inheritance, polygamy and other disputes in Islamic courts, which handle matters involving family and morality for Malaysian Muslims.

Rights activists have said they receive hundreds of complaints each year from women because Shariah courts are slow to penalize ex-husbands who fail to pay child support. Men are also known to find it relatively easy to divorce their wives while taking a greater share of the couple's property.

Norhayati Kaprawi, a prominent Malaysian Muslim women's activist, said the appointments were long overdue.

"What they must focus on is ensuring that they deliver justice and take into consideration ... the realities of Muslim women's lives," Norhayati said.

Meera Samanther, president of Malaysian group Women's Aid Organization, said fair representation within the justice system was "a necessity."

Suraya, 31, could not immediately be contacted Thursday, and Rafidah, 39, declined to immediately comment. Court officials could not be reached to elaborate on what cases the judges have handled so far.

Female judges are common in Malaysia's secular courts, though most top posts are held by men.

By: Julia Cappei - July 8, 2010
Source: Associated Press