The First Women’s Column Khanymnar Kyyseme in the Socio- Political Newspaper Kazan Mukhbire

Abstract

The study examines the first women’s column Khanymnar kyyseme (“Women’s Column”) in the newspaper Kazan Mukhbire (“Kazan Herald”) as a unique phenomenon in the formation of women’s political and educational discourse during the profound transformation in the Russian Empire at the beginning of the 20th century. The column existed during a period of unprecedented socio- political instability, including the aftermath of the Russo- Japanese War (1904–1905) and the revolutionary upheavals of 1905–1907. The study aims to present the social position of a Tatar Muslim woman and her role in society at the beginning of 20th century, as well as to conceptualize the socio- political problems faced by Tatar women, and the Muslim community in Russia as a whole. The novelty of the article lies in the fact that the author, based on an analysis of Tatar periodicals of the early 20th century, for the first time comprehensively examines the activities of the Kazan Muslim women’s movement in advancing women’s rights (including political rights) and their participation in public life. No prior studies of this kind have been conducted.