A woman from Tunisia's moderate Islamic party has been elected as mayor of the capital city, Tunis, the first time a woman holds the post, AP reported.

The North African country leads the Arab world in regard to women’s rights after gaining independence from France in 1956.

Souad Abderrahim, a 54-year-old pharmacist of the Ennahdha party, won the post in the second round of voting by the municipal council after defeating her top rival, Kamel Idir, of the party Nida Tounes, founded by the Tunisian president.

Despite being a member of an Islamic party, Abderrahim, a former lawmaker has a history of fighting for women’s rights and doesn’t wear a veil.

She was the lone winner for the post despite six other women from the Ennahdha party who also competed for mayoral posts in the region around Tunis.

The party announced in 2016 that it was separating politics from religion. Abderrahim’s plans include cleaning up the capital and planting trees.

Presidential and parliamentary elections are set for 2019.