Following the naming of transsexual Öykü Özen as a candidate nominee from the main opposition, another transsexual has applied to run for Parliament from the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP.
Working in nongovernmental organizations seems to be bringing women closer to politics. A number of NGOs in Turkey are sending their members to Parliament to work for the empowerment of women in the legislative or even executive bodies.
Turkish women's groups have been traditionally divided along ideological lines.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s wife, Emine Erdoğan, who had a meeting with the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) female deputy candidates over the weekend, told them that they will be the hope of not only Turkish women, but also of women in neighboring countries.
Political parties have announced deputy candidate lists. Women organizations argue that female deputy candidates were placed in the least likely spots on the lists to be elected and were used like filling materials.
With a general election looming, one of Turkey’s top business groups has highlighted the need for greater female representation in national and local politics with a cover story in the latest issue of its magazine.
With a general election looming, one of Turkey’s top business groups has highlighted the need for greater female representation in national and local politics with a cover story in the latest issue of its magazine. “More women, better politics,” was the front-page headline on the latest is
This week in Istanbul 13 European countries signed a Council of Europe convention on combating violence against women. All 47 members were urged to comply. Turkey pushed hard for the convention, which calls for hotlines, shelters and legal aid for abused women.
Merve Kavakci Islam was elected to parliament in 1999, but was prevented from taking her parliamentary oath because she wears a headscarf.