Selma Aliye Kavaf

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).

Selma Aliye Kavaf MP
Member of the Grand National Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 2 June 2023
Constituency	Manisa (2023)
In office 23 July 2007 – 23 April 2011
Constituency	Denizli (2007)
Minister of State (Responsible for Women and Family Affairs)
In office 1 May 2009 – 6 June 2011
Preceded by	Nimet Çubukçu
Succeeded by	Office abolished
President of the Women's Branch of the Justice and Development Party
In office 2002 – 1 May 2009
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Fatma Şahin
Personal details
Born	(1962-07-01) 1 July 1962 (age 62) Denizli, Turkey
Political party	Justice and Development Party (AKP) (2002–2020) Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) (2020–2025) Independent (2025–present)
Relatives	Sema Ramazanoğlu (sister)[1]
Alma mater	Ankara University

In the 2023 Turkish parliamentary election, she was elected in Manisa for the Republican People's Party from the National Alliance quota

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. Her sister is Turkish politician Sema Ramazanoğlu.

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."^[2] Her remarks sparked controversy and were protested by anti-homophobia activists^[3] in Turkey.^[4]

Kavaf is one of the founding members of Ali Babacan's newly formed Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA).^[5]

In the 2023 Turkish parliamentary election she was elected in Manisa for the Republican People's Party from the National Alliance quota.^[6]

In 2025, she left the DEVA party.^[7]

External links

• (in Turkish) Selma Aliye Kavaf – Official Website
• (in Turkish) Biography of Selma Aliye Kavaf at AK Party

References

1. Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu (10 January 2024). "TBMM'de çatı parti birlikteliği: Yeni Yol Partisi kuruldu". VOA Turkey (in Turkish). Retrieved 12 January 2024.
2. 'Homosexuality is a disease' says Turkish minister, " Hürriyet, March 7, 2010.
3. Turkish activists want minister tried for derogatory comments on gays, " Deutsche Welle, 16 March 2010.
4. "Activists protest Turkish minister's remarks about gays," Hürriyet, 15 April 2010.
5. "Kurucu Üyeler".
6. Hayta, Musa. "Eski bakan Kavaf, CHP listesinden Manisa Milletvekili seçildi". D20Haber (in Turkish). Retrieved 8 June 2023.
7. "DEVA Partisi'nde bir 'çatı' istifası daha: Selma Aliye Kavaf da ayrıldı". Artı Gerçek (in Turkish). 8 January 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2025.

Political offices
New title Office established	President of the Women's Branch of the Justice and Development Party 2002 – 1 May 2009	Succeeded by Fatma Şahin
Preceded by Nimet Çubukçu	Minister of State (Responsible for Women and Family Affairs) 1 May 2009 – 6 June 2011	Succeeded by Fatma Şahin as Minister of Family and Social Policy