STORMONT'S justice committee looks set to remain a woman-free zone with political parties remaining defiant in the face of calls for more female representation.
Former Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O'Loan challenged political leaders to act after the Irish News last week highlighted the dearth of women occupying leading roles in the norths' criminal justice system.
Northern Ireland is the only place in Ireland or the UK with no women judges presiding in its highest courts.
"It is absolutely unacceptable that this is the situation now," she said.
"The question now has to be asked why. Why in the case of the justice committee have the parties not appointed any women?"
Sinn Féin and the UUP did not respond to attempts by the Irish News to clarify their positions.
The SDLP indicated it will not be revisiting its justice committee nominations.
"The SDLP justice spokesperson is Alban Maginness, a qualified barrister," a spokesman said.
"Despite having no female members of the Justice Committee, we have nominated Dolores Kelly MLA as our representative on the Northern Ireland Policing Board where she plays a full role in holding the police and justice structures to account."
The DUP said there are "only so many people to go around".
"The Justice Committee is as important as any other committee. Unfortunately like all parties we are doing our best to increase the number of women represented in the assembly as a whole," a spokesman said.
"That will help us ensure more (women) on all committees, but there are only so many people to go around."
He added that the committees are in part self-selecting.
"As part of the process we also ask which committees people are interested in serving on. There are a number of factors to take into account. The Justice Committee wasn't singled out.
"Ideally we'd like to have equal numbers of men and women on all committees."
