By: Metin M. Coşgel, Hamdi Genç, Emre Özer & Sadullah Yılırım

This article examines the legal status and rights of women in Ottoman courts from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Utilizing court records, it demonstrates how women actively engaged with the legal system, often achieving significant autonomy in legal matters such as divorce, property rights, and inheritance. The analysis reveals that Ottoman legal practices, influenced by Islamic law, afforded women more rights and protections than commonly assumed. The article challenges stereotypes of passive Middle Eastern women by highlighting their agency and the nuanced nature of gender dynamics in Ottoman society. It also discusses the impact of socio-economic changes on women’s legal status over time.