Women's rights, in particular to education and to access professions, gained importance in post-Reform (Tanzimat 1839) Ottoman Turkey and accelerated during the First and Second Constitutional Eras (Meşrutiyet). The İnas Darülfünun (University for women) and the İnas Sanayi-i Nefise Mekteb-i Alisi (Women's school of fine arts) were both established in 1914, during the Second Constitutional Era of 1908–18.

Before then, the daughters of high income families were educated in Europe. Talented girls, not able to afford to go to Europe, were taught painting …