Sentence Correction

the OA is C . Somehow, I don't agree with the meaning conveyed by the answer choice.
It talks about "recent election" and the status of women which has not changed ( so it was not good earlier and it still has not changed much).So far good but when the last part "last century " is added, I think the intent is to compare the status from last century.

Why should it connect recent election with status of women in the last century without comparing ?
I feel it should be

Despite the recent election of woman to the office of PM , the status of women has changed little from that in last century.

Please correct me.

I wonder if it matters whether the sentence was stated in 2001 or 1999?

OA: The status of women has changed little in the last century.
Here, in the last century serves as an ADVERB modifying has changed.
WHEN has the status of women changed little?
it has changed little IN THE LAST CENTURY.
The sentence could also be phrased as follows:
In the last century, the status of women has changed little.