- Increased prevalence of the veil (hijab) and full-body covering (abaya).
- Restrictions on women leaving the house without a male escort (mahram).
- Segregation of women from men in public spaces.
Decline in Educational Opportunities:
- Gradual decline in female literacy rates.
- Fewer opportunities for women to receive formal education.
- Increased emphasis on religious education for women.
Changes in Marriage Practices:
- Rise in the age of marriage for women.
- Increased prevalence of polygamy, with men allowed to have up to four wives.
- Greater control by men over women's sexuality.
Growing Legal and Social Inequalities:
- Limited legal rights for women in matters such as inheritance, divorce, and child custody.
- Increased social stigma associated with women's public activities.
- Heightened restrictions on women's participation in political and economic life.
Influence of Religious and Cultural Factors:
- Growing influence of conservative religious interpretations that emphasized women's modesty and seclusion.
- Societal norms and traditions that reinforced gender inequality.
- Lack of strong female voices or feminist movements to challenge these changes.
Exceptions and Variations:
- While these trends were generally observed, there were exceptions and variations across different regions and social classes.
- Some women, particularly those from wealthy or elite families, managed to maintain a degree of autonomy and influence.
Overall, the period between 1200 and 1600 marked significant changes in women's lives in the Islamic world, with increasing restrictions on their mobility, education, and social participation. These changes were driven by socio-cultural, religious, and legal factors and would continue to shape women's experiences in the region for centuries to come.