Rowhani Taps Second Woman for Cabinet

Iranian President Hasan Rowhani added a second woman to his cabinet Tuesday, appointing reformist Masoumeh Ebtekar as vice president to lead the environmental protection organisation, media reported.

Ebtekar, an ex-member of Tehran's city council, already headed the organisation during the presidency of reformist Mohammad Khatami from 1997 to 2005.

As such, she became the first female vice president of the Islamic republic.

Ebtekar is perhaps best known for her role as the spokesperson for Islamist students who stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979 and took its staff hostage.

She joins Elham Aminzadeh, who was appointed as vice president for legal affairs last month.

Another key woman is the administration is Marzieh Afkham, the first-ever spokeswoman at the foreign ministry.

Although more liberal than those of many Arab countries, Iran's laws since the 1979 Islamic revolution have been criticized as unfair to women in matters of marriage, divorce and inheritance.

While women may hold key posts, including in parliament and the cabinet, they are not allowed to run for the presidency.

Iran's clergy, which still hold sway in the country, defend the laws, saying they are designed to protect against a Western lifestyle they say takes advantage of women.