Ms. Silvia Quan is the President of “Colectivo Vida Independiente de Guatemala.”  A national of Guatemala, she is feminist and expert on the rights of persons with disabilities.

Silvia Quan

From 2003 – 2013 led the disability rights defense unit within the Ombudsman’s Office in Guatemala.

2013 – currently: Has been an independent consultant for several INGOs: HI (former Handicap International), CBM, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA); collaborating advisor for the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), Inter-American Institute on Disability and Inclusive Development (IIDDI), Trickle-Up Guatemala, Save the Children, World Bank and IFAD.

From 2011-2016 served as independent expert on the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, during its last two years 2015-2016 was its Vice-Chairperson.

From 2017-2019 held the position as Senior Human Rights Advisor for the International Disability Alliance (IDA), office in Geneva.

Currently:

Senior consultant for the initiative on preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls with disabilities and their access to justice, co-implemented by LEGIS and Colectivo Vida Independiente de Guatemala.

President of “Colectivo Vida Independiente de Guatemala.”