Monaco will welcome Isabelle Rome, France’s Ambassador for Human Rights, on Wednesday 20th November for a day of exchange focused on gender equality, legal reform and the fight against violence towards women.

A respected figure in France’s legal and political landscape, Rome’s visit comes at the invitation of Monaco’s Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, just ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25th November.

From Courtrooms to Cabinet

A former magistrate and Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunity, Isabelle Rome has spent her career at the intersection of justice and social reform. As a judge, she presided over criminal courts and helped steer the landmark Grenelle on Domestic Violence in 2019. As Minister, she brought gender equality to the G7 table and presented France’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council.

Since her appointment as Ambassador for Human Rights in 2024, Rome’s remit has expanded to include Holocaust remembrance and the restitution of looted cultural assets — making her one of France’s most active voices in human rights diplomacy.

Closed-Door Talks, Open-Door Dialogue

In Monaco, Rome will meet with state institutions, public service actors and civil society leaders for a series of closed-door exchanges on gender-based violence prevention, support systems for victims, and effective legislative tools. The discussions will also spotlight cross-border cooperation between France and Monaco, where Rome’s experience as both judge and policymaker is expected to spark constructive debate.

A Public Conference at Lycée Rainier III

The visit will culminate in a public conference at 6pm at Lycée Rainier III, where Rome will speak on the frontlines of legal and institutional efforts to combat violence against women. Drawing from her own career and international collaborations, she will examine how public policy can be used not only to protect victims but to shift societal attitudes.

Educators, students, policymakers and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

A Voice That Bridges Law and Activism

Beyond her formal roles, Isabelle Rome has long championed civil society initiatives. She is the founder of Femmes de Libertés, an association supporting women’s empowerment, and has contributed to humanitarian missions from Rwanda to the Balkans. Her advocacy has extended to refugee support, prison reform, cyberharassment awareness and national drug policy.

Her writings — including Plaidoyer pour un droit à l’espoir and Dans une prison de femmes — reflect a justice system not just rooted in rules, but in empathy.

With her visit to Monaco, Rome brings decades of experience and a deeply personal understanding of justice to a country actively shaping its own policies for gender equality and human rights.

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Photo source: Monaco Government Communications Department