While the world has been distracted by the noise of all those resistant to change, change has been happening anyway.
Several countries have had their first female Prime Minister in the recent past, while some like Tanzania have had their first woman President.
Samia Suluhu is only the third female head of government of an East African Community country, after Sylvie Kinigi in Burundi and Agathe Uwilingiyimana in Rwanda.
This week, the Diary of African Heritage celebrates women rising to power.