Ishig

Although the first women's publication in Russia Empire was the magazine Nevinnoye uprajneniya ( - "Innocent Exercises"), edited by Princess Dashkova in the 18th century, the advocacy magazine for women's rights, Soyuz jenshin ( - Women's Union), was published between 1907 and 1909. In the social life of Russian Turks, the first women's magazine was Alem-i-nisvan. It was edited by Şefiqa Gaspıralı, the daughter of Ismail bey Gasprinski, the editor of the Terciman newspaper. Meanwhile, in the Ottoman Empire, there were two publications for women - the weekly illustrated magazines Kadinlar Gazetesi and Nisvan. In the early years following Azerbaijan's Sovietization, the magazine Sharg gadini (Oriental woman) was published in Baku. Although presented as the country's first women's publication, prior to this, there was another publication in the same vein: the newspaper Ishig. However, due to its characterization as "bourgeois press" during the Soviet era, it has been overlooked in research. == History ==

The first issue of the magazine was published on January 22, 1911. Financial support for the newspaper was provided by Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. The publisher of the newspaper was the publicist and lawyer Mustafa bey Alibeyov, and its editor was his wife, Khadija Alibekova. Ishig was published once a week, on Saturdays, covering scientific-pedagogical, literary, medical, and household topics. Alongside child rearing, literature, medicine, and homemaking, it also featured various sections related to law, culture, religious rules, and world news. On the cover of the magazine, there was an image of a young woman wearing a head covering, holding a child's hand and pointing to the rising sun, which emitted light (a reference to the newspaper's title: in Azerbaijani, "işıq" means "light"). The main mission of the newspaper was to educate women and advocate for their rights. Women frequently submitted articles and poems to the newspaper, addressing criticisms of the unjust lives of women. Prominent Azerbaijani figures such as Mahammad Hadi, Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli and Behboud Shahtahtinsky wrote congratulatory letters on the occasion of the establishment of the first women's press. As a result of pressure from religious conservatives, the newspaper began to face financial difficulties. Authors, cautious of clerics and religious conservatives, stopped sending letters, articles, and poems to the newspaper, while readers stopped subscribing. == Content ==

The newspaper was structured into various sections, including: Təlimi-nisvan (Education for Women), Vəzayefe-beytiyyə (Household Affairs), Hüquqi-müslümə (Rights of Muslim Women) or Bacılarıma bir neçə söz (A Few Words to My Sisters), Təbabətə dair (About Medicine), Ədəbiyyat (Literature), Evdarlıq (Housekeeping), Xəbərlər (News) and Elanlar (Announcements). In the articles of the "Təlimi-nisvan" section of the Ishig newspaper, it was emphasized that a child's upbringing is closely tied to the upbringing of the parents, and the authors attempted to prove that education, knowledge, and learning are not only necessary for men, but perhaps even more so for women. Editor Alibeyova wrote articles on family and household matters under the heading "Vəzayefe-beytiyyə" in the newspaper. She also frequently contributed to the "Təbabətə dair" section along with Amina Batrishina. In the articles titled "Our Rights," Khadija Alibeyova discussed a variety of topics, including gender equality, women's participation in education, culture, and social life, the establishment of women's clubs and vocational courses, child rearing, household responsibilities, and health issues. Women complained about their rights and demanded education and schooling in the letters they sent to the editorial office. == Criticisms ==

On one hand, the newspaper discussed the importance of cultural advancement and education, while on the other hand, it promoted the significance of wearing the veil and prioritized religious matters and emphasizes Islamic values. The Molla Nasreddin and Ishig newspapers frequently published harsh articles against each other. Contributors of Molla Nasreddin condemned the editor and publisher of the Ishig newspaper for hypocrisy, criticizing Khadija Alibeyova for emphasizing the necessity of adhering to Sharia in her articles and expressing positive views on women's modest dress, despite their strong objections. Thus, the first women's newspaper in Azerbaijan had to withstand attacks from all sides - both from progressive intellectuals for its liberalism and from religious leaders and radical religious figures for its courage in demanding women's rights. == Legacy ==

All issues of the Ishig newspaper was transculturally translated by the Political Documents Archive of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2020 and published in book format, consisting of 580 pages. On March 4, 2011, the 100th anniversary of the Ishig newspaper was celebrated at the Azerbaijan Press Council with the participation of members of the Press Council's management, female journalists, and representatives of media. On September 12, 2014, as part of the project of the Azerbaijan Press Council, a presentation of the documentary film dedicated to the Ishig newspaper, Angle of incidence of light, () written by screenwriter Baxtiar Garaca, took place. == References ==