Women's Rights In The Ottoman Empire

In the early days of Ottoman Empire, women had power in administration but after the acceptance of Islam, women had begun to get away from administration because of Arabic culture. Also, the notion of “harem” which caused the Ottoman women to move away from the administration had occurred. Although this notion had reduced effects of women, they had succeeded about affecting of administration. During the period of regression of Ottoman Empire, women rights had been influenced badly, their traditional rights had been taken away from their hands and their houses had turned into a prison.

Beginning period when the situation of Ottoman women had been discussed had coincided Tanzimat Period. Ottoman Empire had begun to affect from West in this period.

The position of women in society hasd also been shaped by reforms. Women had not wanted to be limited to being only wifes and mothers, but they had begun to express their wishes. The most important request of them was equality between women and men. The most important desire of leading men and women of this period was that women and men had same educational rights and they had called spade a spade desires like dissemination of education, compulsory and free primary education, and provision of educational unity. Firstly, women rights had not enough support but the support to them had increased due to rising communication with West. The change in women had begun with the imitation of Western women's clothing style. However, some sides of this community had criticized strongly. Some attempts had been made to restrict the style of clothing for women. Decisions about the thickness of the nappies and the size of the clothes had been taken. Women had started to protest against these movements seriously and they had been supported from Young Ottomans and Young Turks; many writers had published publications on women's rights and thus had begun serious debates on women's rights. It can be said that the most prominent advocates of women's rights were

They had got rid of their timidities and they had showed courage to defend themselves. First magazine that was created by them was Terakki-i Muhadderat in 1869. After that, a lot of magazines had been published with other names. “Hanımlara Mahsus Gazete” consisting entirely of women in writers had the most important place between these. The most striking and important feature of this magazine was that it was the longest running women's magazine that has been in publication for 13 years. Also Fatma Aliye was in this magazines and due to Fatma Aliye, this magazine had more important role. It can be said that Fatma Aliye was main names of Ottoman feminism. This magazine had indicated that women should be educated in a good was in order to create healthy and conscious society with publication purpose and connection between women and society had been highlighted. In this situation, a situation had taken attention. Women had defended these rights and wanted other things under effects of men. Of course, this magazine should not be regarded as an instrument solely for male sovereign rights. Some writers who wrote in this journal had rejected gender discrimination and went on to question their identities. Fatma