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).

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

Kavaf has joined the 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 first women organization of a Turkish political party in institutional sense.

In the elections of 2007, 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." Her remarks sparked controversy and were protested by anti-homophobia activists in Turkey.