Pioneering women and women writers in the Second Constitutional era

This study examines the development of printing, the press, and particularly the impact of women writers on social and cultural life in the Ottoman Empire. Initially, the concept of the press referred to periodical publications such as newspapers and magazines and corresponds to the Arabic term "matbuat." Printing was introduced to the Ottoman lands in the late 15th century by Jews migrating from Spain, with David and Samuel ben Nahmias establishing the first Hebrew printing press in Istanbul. In the 18th century, the establishment of the first Turkish press by İbrahim Mütefferika significantly increased access to knowledge, laying the groundwork for modernization movements. During the 19th century, especially in the Tanzimat and Second Constitutional Periods, the Ottoman press developed rapidly. Newspapers and magazines addressed not only political but also social and cultural issues, shaping public opinion. Women writers gained visibility through newspapers and women-specific magazines, contributing to public debates on education, family life, rights, and everyday experiences. The inclusion of women in military publications further challenged male-dominated spaces, enabling them to participate in intellectual and societal discussions. The study focuses on the efforts of women to establish a presence in the Ottoman press and their stance in the context of social and political conditions, including their roles in the struggle for freedom and national causes. By examining prominent female writers and their works through master's and doctoral theses, the research highlights how education, modernization, and social roles were discussed in women's publications. Consequently, this study aims to systematically demonstrate the historical development of the Ottoman press, the visibility of women writers, and their contribution to social transformationdurulacaktır