Here is an overview of famous women candidates:
Seyhan Eksioglu: A lawyer, she has resigned from her position at Ka-Der and is standing for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Prof. Dr. Necla Arat and Prof. Dr. Nur Sertel: Co-organisers of the "Republican rallies", they have become candidates for the centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP). The party's chairman has publicly welcomed their candidature.
Sebnem Kisaparmak: TV presenter Kisaparmak has become a candidate for the centre-right True Path Party (DYP). In a press briefing she has mentioned Istanbul or Kastamonu as possible constituencies.
Suna Kepoglu: Kepoglu from rural Diyarbakır is known as the "female agha" of the Kepoglu tribe. As a candidate for DYP, she has been chosen to compete with Leyla Zana and Reyhan Yalçındağ, who are both from the East of Turkey, too.
Nevval Sevindi: Journalist Sevindi has announced her candidature for the Democratic Party (DP), the recent amalgamation of the centre-right Motherland (ANAP) and True Path (DYP) parties. She is well-known for her newspaper articles, a book of interviews with religious leader Fethullah Gülen, and her support of women's and cancer patients' rights.
Suna Vidinli: TV presenter Vidinli became well-known for her questions directed at French MP Francois Rochebloin in a discussion of the Armenian Genocide.
Leyla Zana and Reyhan Yalcindag: Former MP Zana, who was imprisoned for 11 years, will stand for the Kurdish-interest party DTP. Another woman who is expected to become a candidate for DTP is Reyhan Yalcindag, the vice-president of the Association of Human Rights. Yalcindag is also the wife of Osman Baydemir, the mayor of the south-eastern city of Diyarbakır, who is well-known for his campaigns to improve Kurdish cultural rights. (AÖ/AG)
