CAIRO — Women have gained access to some judicial posts in Egypt over the years, but they have yet to breach the all-powerful State Council. The decadeslong battle pits certain interpretations of the Egyptian Constitution against the council and centuries of tradition dictating that a woman's place is in the home.

The National Council for Women and others are continuing their uphill effort, pointing out that there are no constitutional or religious restrictions that prevent women from working in a specific field.

Opponents note, however, that while the constitution doesn't specify that women can't be judges, there's also nothing in the document requiring that women be allowed to serve; that would take a constitutional amendment. But the constitution calls for Egypt to commit to achieving equality between women and men in all rights, grants women the right to hold public posts and states that appointments to judicial bodies and entities be made without discrimination.

Minister of Justice Hossam Abdel Rahim said April 23 during a parliament session that he has asked members of the State Council to work toward appointing female judges, although the State Council is an independent judiciary body not under his jurisdiction.