Rouhani appoints female vice-presidents after criticism

Iran President Hassan Rouhani has appointed three women as vicepresidents and one as a civil rights assistant following criticism of his all-male cabinet.

Iran’s 12 vice-presidents run organisations linked to the presidency.

There has been only one female cabinet member since Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979.

The cabinet, which must be approved by parliament, also lacks Sunni members. Sunnis are 10% of Shia-majority Iran.

Masumeh Ebtekar has been named vicepresident for family and women’s affairs, Laya Joneydi is vice-president for legal affairs and Shahindokht Mowlaverdi is the president’s assistant for civil rights.