In the Western world, women were largely excluded from the theater until the 17th century. This was due to a combination of factors, including social and religious beliefs. In many cultures, women were seen as inferior to men and therefore unfit to perform on stage. Additionally, the theater was often seen as a place of debauchery and immorality, which was considered unsuitable for women.
In the 17th century, however, women began to make inroads into the theater. This was largely due to the influence of the Italian Renaissance, which brought with it a new appreciation of the arts and a more liberal attitude towards women. In 1660, the English actress Margaret Hughes became the first woman to play a leading role on the English stage. This marked a turning point in the history of women in theater, and over the next few decades, women began to appear in more and more roles.
By the 18th century, women were playing a significant role in the theater. They were not only appearing in leading roles, but they were also writing plays and managing theaters. In the 19th century, women continued to make progress in the theater, and by the early 20th century, they had achieved full equality with men.