Marie-France Touba
Leader at the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN
Miyala Marie-France Touba is currently a student at the University of Ottawa, where she is entering the third and final year of her Civil Law (LL.L.) degree.
Originally from the Gatineau–Ottawa region, her decision to pursue a legal education is deeply rooted in the values of solidarity and compassion instilled in her by her mother. A social worker and former Executive Director of Accompagnement des femmes immigrantes de l’Outaouais (AFIO), her mother introduced her from an early age to the importance of access to justice. By accompanying her to volunteer initiatives aimed at promoting access to legal information for immigrant families, Marie-France developed a strong interest in human rights and social justice.
After contributing to the Grand Maillet Gala Committee and serving as Vice-President of Finance for the Family Law Students’ Association, she now holds the position of Vice-President of Financial Affairs for the Civil Law Students’ Association (AED) at the University of Ottawa. Passionate about advocacy and oral argumentation, she will soon represent her university at the Guérin-Sopinka Moot Competition in criminal law.
Through her involvement with the Observatory, Marie-France hopes to become an engaged legal professional who uses the law as a tool to support and empower vulnerable communities. She views this unique opportunity as a chance to contribute to meaningful projects that highlight shortcomings within current human rights systems while helping identify practical and impactful solutions. With passion, empathy, and an open mind, she is committed to advancing the Observatory’s mission of promoting a more equitable and accessible justice system.
