The Encyclopaedia of Islam3

Abstract

Kadınlar Dünyası(“The World of Women”), an Ottoman illustrated journal published from 1913 to 1921, is a significant source for the history of the women’s movement in the Ottoman Empire (Çakır, Osmanlıkadın hareketi). The periodical was owned and run exclusively by women. It had an editorial board and printing staff composed of women; the letters and essays it published were written by women contributors; and the press where it was printed bore the same name as the periodical. KadınlarDünyası’s goal was “to defend the rights and interests of woman- hood,” as expressed on the cover of all its issues, beginning with the first, in Rebiülevvel (Rabilül EvvelI)1329/April 1913. It was the publication of the OsmanlıMüdafaa-ıHukuk-ıNisvan Cemiyeti, Ottoman Women’s Association for the Defence of Women’s Rights). Both this association, and the journal were founded by Nuriye Ulviye Mevlan (c. 1310/1893– 1964). (Çakır, Ulviye Mevlan, 336–9)