Global History Makers

From political game-changers to athletes, here’s a look at some trailblazing women who made history with their achievements last year.

Ayesha Malik Judge Nationality:

Pakistani

As Pakistan’s first female Supreme Court Judge, Malik sits alongside 16 male colleagues on the country’s highest court. The 56-year-old’s appointment in January 2022 made Pakistan the last country in South Asia to elect a woman to its highest court. Malik worked at two law firms before becoming a high court judge in the eastern city of Lahore in 2012.

Dina Boluarte Politician Nationality:

Peruvian

Boluarte became the first female President of Peru on December 7, 2022, after her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was ousted in an impeachment trial. The 60-year-old lawyer shot to prominence alongside Castillo as the vice president and Minister of Development and Social Inclusion in a 2021 election victory for the far-left Peru Libre party. She has since reshuffled her cabinet and named a new prime minister.

Dunya Abutaleb

Taekwondo player

Nationality: Saudi

After winning bronze at the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Korea in June 2022, Abutaleb became the first female athlete from Saudi Arabia to medal at a World Taekwondo Championships. The 26-year-old trains with and against male athletes on her home turf, as there are no female sparring partners. At age 12, her brother’s coach identified her potential and began privately teaching her at home. Abutaleb entered her first competition, Jordan’s Al Hassan Cup, in 2016 and clinched gold.

Hana Goda

Table Tennis Player

Nationality: Egyptian

Egypt’s Goda struck gold at the ITTF-Africa Cup in May 2022, making her the youngest table tennis champion in Africa at 14 years and seven months. The ITTF-Africa Cup ranks as the second most important continental event in table tennis, behind only the African Senior Championships. Goda has been playing table tennis for a decade, having first picked up the sport aged four.

Hannah Green

Golfer

Nationality: Australian

Green became the first woman to ever win a mixedgender professional golf tournament after a fourstroke victory at the TPS Murray River in Australia in February 2022. Green, who ranks as World No. 19, was the 2019 Women’s PGA Championship winner.

Ireen Wüst

Skater

Nationality: Dutch

At the February 2022 Beijing Olympics, Dutch speed skater Wüst finished her 1,500 meters race in 1 minute 53.28 seconds, setting a new Olympic record and becoming the first athlete ever to win an individual gold medal at five consecutive Olympic Games. At 35, she is the oldest speed skater to win a gold medal. Since her first Olympics in

2006, aged 19, she has won 13 medals, including six gold. The most decorated Olympic speed skater of all time is also the Netherlands’ most successful Olympian.

Katalin Novák Politician Nationality: Hungarian

Novák assumed office in May 2022 as Hungary’s new president, making her the East European country’s first female president. She succeeded Janos Ader, who had held the post since 2012. Novák previously served as a minister for Families and has been a member of the Hungarian National Assembly since 2018. The 45-year-old is the country’s youngest-ever head of state and will hold the role for five years.

Nayla Al Baloushi Climber Nationality: Emirati

In May 2022, Al Baloushi scaled Nepal’s Mount Everest, becoming the first Emirati woman to do so. She reportedly set herself the goal of reaching the world’s highest peak three months before the ascent.

Ons Jabeur Tennis Player Nationality: Tunisian

In May 2022, Jabeur won the biggest title of her career at the Mutua Madrid Open, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final. The 28-year-old became the world’s number two player in June 2022, becoming the first Arab and North African woman to appear in the world’s top five ranking. In July 2022, Jabeur became the first Arab and North African female tennis player to reach a Grand Slam final.

Stephanie Frappart Referee Nationality: French

After Costa Rica faced Germany on December 1, 2022, at the FIFA World Cup Qatar, Frappart made history as the first woman ever to referee a men’s World Cup match. The 38-year-old French referee led an all-women on-field team with assistants Neuza Back from Brazil and Mexico’s Karen Diaz. Frappart was also the first woman to referee a 2019 Ligue1 and 2020 UEFA Champions League game.

Xiomara Castro Politician Nationality: Honduran

Castro was sworn in as Honduras’ president in January 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She was elected to the role with 1.7 million votes, the largest number of votes in Honduras’ history. The 64-year-old leftist leader, whose husband, Manuel Zelaya, ruled the country from 2006 to 2009, has reportedly campaigned to tackle gangs and expand women’s rights.