Spain's pregnant defense minister in Afghanistan

Spain's defense minister Carme Chacon reviews troops in Madrid, in a Monday April 14, 2008 file photo. In Spain some were already questioning whether Chacon, Spain's first woman defense minister, should be able to take the state-mandated 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, given the importance of her job. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)

MADRID, Spain—Spain's first female defense minister, Carme Chacon, arrived in Afghanistan on Saturday to visit peacekeeping troops, a ministry spokesman said.

Chacon, 37, who is seven months pregnant, was accompanied by a medical team including a gynecologist, the spokesman said on condition of anonymity in keeping with government rules.

She arrived at Spain's military base in Herat, northwest Afghanistan.

Chacon is the most visible symbol of gender equality in a government that has brought in sweeping social legislation designed to rid traditionally male-dominated Spain of discrimination.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who was re-elected in March, has nine women and eight men in his Cabinet. Women's rights advocates have praised Chacon's appointment, while some conservatives have raised objections.

Right-leaning newspapers and some retired officers have criticized her lack of military background, but no one has said her pregnancy is a problem.

Chacon is also due to visit Spanish peacekeeping troops in Lebanon in the next few days, news reports said, citing unnamed government officials.