It was difficult for women to access certain artistic professions both in Europe and in the Arab and Ottoman world. In the late 19th century, women slowly began to come into their own in the world of painters, sculptors and writers.

The French government hesitated over ruling on education for young Muslim girls, which was a delicate subject. Consequently, the first related initiative was a private one, and the teaching provided was essentially professional in nature.

In Europe, women’s access to political life ignited impassioned debates throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The right to vote was one of the major battles in the fight for male/female equality.

In the 19th century the debate about women’s role in society and their education developed in both Europe and the Arab and Ottoman world. This portrait of a founder of Zahrat al-Ihsan School, Beirut, reminds us of the increasingly public role prominent women throughout the Middle East played from the 19th century onwards. The charitable school provided education for disadvantaged girls.

In the 19th century the debate about women’s role in society and their education developed in both Europe and the Arab and Ottoman world. This portrait of a founder of Zahral al-Ihsan School, Beirut, reminds us of the increasingly public role prominent women throughout the Middle East played from the 19th century onwards. The charitable school provided education for disadvantaged girls.

In Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries, women gradually began to emerge from the domestic environment to obtain the same social rights as men.

Women were also demanding access to the same leisure and sports activities as men in 19th century Europe. Women quickly began using bicycles, first as a leisure activity for the wealthier classes, then as a means of transport for more modest people.

Access to modern education was essential for women in the Arab and Ottoman world at the beginning of the 20th century. In countries such as Tunisia the struggle for independence enabled women to participate in political rallies from which they had previously been excluded.

In the Arab and Ottoman world in the early 20th century, women began participating in political rallies from which they had previously been excluded.

In Europe, women’s access to political life ignited impassioned debates throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The right to vote was one of the major battles in the fight for male/female equality.

In Europe, women’s access to political life ignited impassioned debates throughout the 19th century and in the early 20th century. The right to vote was one of the major battles in the fight for male/female equality.

In Europe, giving young girls the rights to the same education as boys was a long fight, which lasted throughout the 19th century.

In Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries, women gradually began to emerge from the domestic environment to obtain the same social rights as men.

In Europe, women’s access to political life ignited impassioned debates throughout the 19th century and in the early 20th century. The right to vote was one of the major battles in the fight for male/female equality.

In the Arab and Ottoman world, the struggle for independence enabled women to participate in political rallies from which they had previously been excluded.

In the Arab and Ottoman world, the struggle for independence enabled women to participate in political rallies from which they had previously been excluded.

In the Arab and Ottoman world, the struggle for independence enabled women to participate in political rallies from which they had previously been excluded.