On 20 May 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy (MEACI) hosted a multi-stakeholder event in Rome. Organised by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the meeting aimed to advance bilateral cooperation with Mauritania under the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and it was intended as a platform to identify strategic areas of interest, promote synergies and share good practices. The event brought together representatives from MAECI and a delegation from Mauritania which included national authorities and civil society actors engaged in WPS-related policies and initiatives.
The event was organised as part of the broader project Strengthening the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Italy and Mauritania: Sharing Good Practices and Building Strategic Partnerships launched by UNICRI in late 2024 with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project seeks to reinforce dialogue and partnerships between key stakeholders from both countries by developing strategic policy recommendations while recognising the vital role women play in building peace and countering radicalization in the Sahel.
Despite its relative stability, Mauritania faces ongoing risks of radicalization due to socio-economic and environmental challenges, such as youth unemployment, gender inequality, and climate vulnerability. In this fragile context, women play a vital role in peace and security efforts. The country has made progress in promoting women’s participation in preventing violent extremism, supported by active civil society engagement and gender-responsive initiatives, but stronger international cooperation and policy support are essential to sustaining progress.
This multi-stakeholder event in Rome provided a unique opportunity for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and joint strategy development.
The agenda included:
Keynote interventions on Italy’s priorities for the WPS agenda and its cooperation strategies in the Sahel.
Regional perspectives from the Platforme des Femmes du Sahel.
Insights from Mauritanian authorities, including Parliament, Human Rights institutions, Youth Ministry, and national PVE bodies.
Civil society reflections on good practices and remaining challenges.
Preliminary findings from UNICRI’s consultations in Mauritania and initial recommendations to support inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding efforts in Mauritania and the wider Sahel region.h vc
By connecting institutional actors and grassroots voices, the project aims to create a strategic framework for WPS collaboration that is evidence-based, inclusive, and context-specific. The Rome event is a milestone in this process, laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation and more resilient societies.