Lithuanian lawyer Dovilė Juodkaitė elected to UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Lithuanian lawyer Dovilė Juodkaitė has been elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the 2027–2030 term, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour announced.

Juodkaitė was selected during the 19th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, held this week. Her key priorities include empowering women and girls with disabilities—particularly mothers—ensuring their safety and rights in emergencies, and improving access to justice for persons with disabilities.

Fifteen candidates from different regions competed for nine open positions on the committee. Lithuania had systematically promoted Juodkaitė’s candidacy since last year, officially presenting her to the international community at the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties in New York. During her campaign, she met with representatives from over 90 countries.

Juodkaitė is a lawyer and internationally recognised human rights advocate with more than 20 years of experience in disability and equal opportunities. She has led the Lithuanian Forum of Disabled People’s Organisations and actively participates in international human rights initiatives, contributing to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an independent body of 18 experts that monitors the implementation of the convention and provides recommendations to member states. The 193 states that have ratified the convention elect committee members by secret ballot, considering candidates’ expertise, geographic balance, and gender equality.