ENLIGHTENMENT, PRESS, AND WOMEN’S SOCIETIES: THE FORMATION OF SOCIAL MOBILIZATION AMONG AZERBAIJANI WOMEN IN 1900–1918 (FROM A GENDER PERSPECTIVE)

Abstract

The early 20th century was a crucial historical stage marked by significant transformations in the social status of Azerbaijani women. Political developments within the Russian Empire, urban expansion, the strengthening of the enlightenment movement, and the rise of the national press opened up new opportunities for women to engage in education, culture, and community organization. This article examines the formation of social mobilization among Azerbaijani women between 1900 and 1918 through the lens of gender history. It provides an interconnected analysis of the operation of girls' schools, the social standing of female teachers, the portrayal of the "woman question" in the press, and the organizational practices of charitable societies. In particular, the study examines how discussions on women's rights, family relations, and gender norms in the newspaper Ishiq and the satirical magazine Molla Nasreddin contributed to the recognition of women as active social agents. The research demonstrates that women's civic engagement was not merely an outcome of the political rights granted in 1918, but rather a continuation of educational initiatives, press experience, and collective action cultivated in preceding years. At the same time, the paper highlights that the modernization process did not affect all women equally, as social background, living environment, and traditional family relations continued to restrict opportunities for social participation.