Zakia Hakki: The First Female Judge in Iraqi History
- Jamal Latif
- May 6
- 2 min read
Who Is Zakia Hakki?
Zakia Hakki is a Kurdish Iraqi judge and politician born in 1939 in Kirkuk who made history as the first woman ever to serve as a judge in Iraq — a groundbreaking achievement in Iraqi legal history that placed her among the pioneers of women's professional advancement in the Arab world. She was appointed to the judiciary in the 1950s, making her achievement all the more remarkable for its era.
After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, she was appointed to the Iraqi Governing Council — one of the first governing bodies of post-Saddam Iraq — as one of its few female members. Her inclusion in the Council was both a recognition of her distinguished career and an attempt to ensure female and Kurdish representation in the new political order.
Her Kurdish origin from Kirkuk — a disputed and ethnically mixed city claimed by both the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government — adds a further dimension to her story as a pioneer.
Key Takeaways
• Born in 1939 in Kirkuk; Kurdish Iraqi woman.
• First female judge in Iraqi history — appointed in the 1950s.
• Member of the Iraqi Governing Council (2003) — one of the first post-Saddam governing bodies.
• Pioneer for women's professional achievement in Iraqi and Kurdish history.
Quick Facts
Table of Contents
Early Life
Born in 1939 in Kirkuk. She pursued a legal career at a time when female participation in the judiciary was virtually unheard of in Iraq, becoming the first woman appointed as a judge in Iraqi history.
Historical Context
The 1950s in Iraq were a period of modernisation under the monarchy and then the republic that followed the 1958 revolution. Women's professional advancement was possible in this period in ways that were later curtailed. Zakia Hakki's judicial appointment was part of this modernisation era.
Achievements
First Female Judge in Iraqi History
Zakia Hakki's appointment as the first female judge in Iraqi history was a groundbreaking achievement in the legal history of Iraq and the Arab world — a demonstration that Kurdish women could reach the highest levels of professional achievement. Her subsequent membership of the Iraqi Governing Council in 2003 confirmed her continued importance to Iraqi public life.
Timeline
Debates
Her Kurdish identity from Kirkuk and her pioneering judicial role are established.
Legacy
Zakia Hakki is a pioneer of women's professional achievement in Iraq — the first female judge in Iraqi history and a member of the first post-Saddam governing body. She represents the Kurdish community's contribution to Iraqi civic life at its most groundbreaking.
Connections
FAQ
Who is Zakia Hakki?
Zakia Hakki (born 1939) is a Kurdish Iraqi judge and politician from Kirkuk who was the first woman to serve as a judge in Iraqi history. She was also a member of the Iraqi Governing Council in 2003.
Was Zakia Hakki Kurdish?
Yes. She was born in Kirkuk and is identified as Kurdish in historical sources.
References
Wikipedia contributors. 'Zakia Hakki.' Wikipedia. Accessed 2025.
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