Iran's 1st Female Minister in History

Iranian parliament voted for first female minister in the history of Iran, Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi who is to head the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education.

Dastjerdi won 175 votes in favor and 82 against with 29 votes of abstention.

Susan Keshavarz, the nominee for the education, and Fatemeh Ajorlou, the nominee for welfare and social security portfolios, failed to receive vote of confidence, the Islamic republic news agency reported.

Mrs. Vahid-Dastjerdi was born in Tehran in 1959. She graduated from Tehran Medical University in medicine and obtained specialized degree in nursing and obstetrics from the same university in 1988.

She used to be a faculty staff of Tehran University for 13 years, director of the university's Nursing and Obstetrics Department for six years. She was a Tehran MP for two terms.

Mrs. Vahid-Dastjerdi was also a founding member of Iran's Specialized Scientific Association of Reproduction and Sterility, a member of the American Society for Reproduction Medicine (1993-2000) and a member of Health Ministry's Family Planning Scientific Committee.

She headed Arash Hospital from 2004 up to present.

Mrs. Vahid-Dastjerdi told reporters after winning vote of confidence that inclusion of female minister in the Cabinet is important for the Iranian women.

They are certainly happy because a female minister in the Cabinet will pursue their demands and this is important for them.