Justice Tahany El-Gebali is the first female judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court in Egypt (2003) and currently former Vice President of the Supreme Constitutional Court. Her appointment followed almost thirty years of private practice, teaching and engagement in human rights and public issues. She received her LL.B from Cairo University in 1973, where she also received a High Diploma in Public Law and Islamic Shari’a.
Her activities have never been confined to the national level; rather she has always been active with both regional and international issues. In addition to her membership to the Council of the Egyptian Bar, the political and legislative committee of the National Council of Women, and various non-governmental human rights organizations, she was the first woman elected to the Permanent Bureau of the Arab Lawyers Union (1992) and to head of the Lawyers Union Assembly (1989). She is also member of the Law Committee of the Supreme Council of Culture of Egypt and of the Scientific Committee of the Union of the Arab Constitutional Councils and Courts. Justice El-Gebali has also served as a legal expert in human rights, family and women’s issues in various committees affiliated with the United Nations and the Arab League.
Among other recognitions, she has received numerous Medals of Honor from India, Italy, Spain, the United Nations and the King of Bahrain.