This October 21, Sanae Takaichi was elected Japan’s first female prime minister, marking a historic shift in a nation long dominated by male leadership. A former TV presenter and political outsider, Takaichi rose through the ranks of the hardline conservative Liberal Democratic Party, winning its leadership earlier this month.
Her ascent comes amid economic uncertainty, public distrust in government, and the collapse of a decades-old coalition. Takaichi’s appointment follows her party’s alliance with the right-leaning Nippon Ishin, which helped secure her parliamentary confirmation.
From Japan to Saudi Arabia, the arc of women’s history is marked by hard-won milestones and transformative firsts. Click through this gallery to explore the defining moments that changed the course of history—and the women who carved the path towards equality.