What If an Autistic Woman Served on the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? Marie Rabatel’s Candidacy Offers That Opportunity
Marie Rabatel, France’s candidate for the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, could mark a historic step forward for the representation of autistic women in international human rights bodies.
As the election of new members of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) approaches, AFFA wishes to highlight the remarkable journey and longstanding commitment of Marie Rabatel, France’s candidate for the 2027–2030 term.
A former elite athlete, an autistic woman, and a dedicated advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, Marie Rabatel brings a unique combination of lived experience, professional expertise, and unwavering commitment to human rights.
For more than two decades, she has worked to promote the full participation of persons with disabilities in society. Her advocacy has been particularly influential in raising awareness of violence against women and children with disabilities and in advancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes.
A pioneer of inclusion through sport, she was recognised in 1998 by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF, now World Athletics) for her commitment to inclusive sport. This recognition reflects a lifelong dedication to ensuring equal opportunities and meaningful participation for all.
Marie Rabatel’s candidacy reflects the core principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: participation, inclusion, equality, and respect for the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities.
As States Parties prepare to elect the next members of the Committee, her profile offers a combination of lived experience, advocacy, and leadership that can contribute significantly to the promotion and implementation of the Convention worldwide.
For more information on the official French candidature
