The Ottoman Empire, known for its lengthy reign and rich history, was considered part of the Oriental or Islamic World. However, historians, who were influenced by secular perspectives, often provided subjective assessments of Ottoman history, leading many Orientalists to hold negative views towards the Ottomans. They commonly assume that women in the Ottoman era were confined to harems, restricted, and served solely to fulfill men's desires. The harem was seen as a symbol to illustrate the wild sexuality of oriental men who were objected to polygamy and divorce, which in turn highlighted the oppression and marginalization of Ottoman women. Contrary to this narrative, Ottoman women played a significant role in both Islamic and non-Islamic civilizations, contributing greatly to the empire's legacy. This article seeks to challenge the notion that Ottoman women were consistently marginalized by presenting evidence that underscores the involvement of lower-class Ottoman women in economic, social, and political spheres. The findings of this research indicate that lower-class women in the Ottoman era were actively engaged in economic aspects, working as shopkeepers, laborers, craftswomen, and merchants. In social spheres, women participated in various activities such as visiting saints' tombs and relatives. Contrary to Orientalist portrayals, women were not always under men’s control as they had the ability to initiate divorce proceedings when a marriage became untenable. While women were not as prominently involved in politics as men, they still had the freedom to voice their complaints about public issues in search of resolutions.

Authors:
Sofi Ghoniyah, Indonesia International Islamic University, Indonesia

About the Presenter(s)
Sofi Ghoniyah is currently a Master Student at Indonesia International Islamic University majoring in Islamic Studies. Her research focuses on the role of lower-class women during the period of Ottoman Empire

Connect on Linkedin
https://id.linkedin.com/in/sofi-ghoniyah-806b22241

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