Iran´s conservative-dominated parliament gave the nod for Dastjerdi to head the health ministry but rejected two other women nominees proposed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"I think today women reached their long-standing dream of having a woman in the cabinet to pursue their demands," Dastjerdi told the parliamentary news service soon after the vote.
"This is an important step for women and I hold my head high."
A two-time former MP and gynaecologist by training, Dastjerdi, 50, will head Iran´s health ministry despite having no experience of an executive job.
She has said she wants an increased role for women in national affairs.
"Women must have a greater role in the country´s affairs," she told the MPs, on Tuesday noting that half the employees of Iran´s health ministry were women, while there were 1.6 million female students in the country.
"Also when there are women and men working together, miracles take place," she said, dressed in a black chador.
Confidently outlining her four-year plan and Dastjerdi vowed to expand the health insurance coverage and health facilities in rural areas and tackle non-contagious ailments such as diabetes.
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