Selma Aliye Kavaf
Minister of State
(Responsible for Women and Family Affairs)
In office
1 May 2009 – 6 June 2011
Preceded byNimet Çubukçu
Succeeded byOffice abolished
President of the Women's Branch
of the Justice and Development Party
In office
2002 – 1 May 2009
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byFatma Şahin
Personal details
Born (1962-07-01) 1 July 1962
Denizli, Turkey
Political partyJustice and Development Party (AKP) (2002–2020)
Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) (2020–2023)
Republican People's Party (2023–present)
Alma materAnkara University

Selma Aliye Kavaf (born 1 July 1962) is a Turkish politician. She is the former Minister of State Responsible for Women and Family Affairs, and a member of parliament for Denizli of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

In the 2023 Turkish parliamentary election, she was elected in Manisa for the Republican People's Party.

Early life and career

Kavaf was born July 1 1962. She graduated from the Turkology department of Ankara University Language, History and Geography Faculty. She has worked as a teacher both in public and private schools for seven years.

Political career

Kavaf entered politics in 2002 after the foundation of Justice and Development Party. After the elections, Kavaf was promoted as the Founder General Presidency of Women's Branch of the Justice and Development Party. It is the first women organization of a Turkish political party in an institutional sense.

In the 2007 Turkish general election, Kavaf was elected as a member of parliament. She is the first female MP from Denizli. On 1 May 2009, she was appointed as State Minister Responsible for Women and Family in the second cabinet of Erdoğan. She has stated that she opposes homosexuality, in her own words: "I believe homosexuality is a biological disorder, a disease. It needs to be treated."[1] Her remarks sparked controversy and were protested by anti-homophobia activists[2] in Turkey.[3]

Kavaf is one of the founding members of Ali Babacan's newly formed Democracy and Progress Party.[4]

In the 2023 Turkish parliamentary election she was elected in Manisa for the Republican People's Party.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 'Homosexuality is a disease' says Turkish minister, " Hürriyet, March 7, 2010.
  2. ↑ Turkish activists want minister tried for derogatory comments on gays, " Deutsche Welle, 16 March 2010.
  3. ↑ "Activists protest Turkish minister's remarks about gays," Hürriyet, 15 April 2010.
  4. ↑ "Kurucu Üyeler".
  5. ↑ Hayta, Musa. "Eski bakan Kavaf, CHP listesinden Manisa Milletvekili seçildi". D20Haber (in Turkish). Retrieved 8 June 2023.
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