Has the world indeed become a safer place for women and girls? Are women heard and have they gained their rightful place at the table when it comes to preventing and resolving conflict, rehabilitation and reconstruction, building resilient communities, and contributing to lasting peace and security?

The author concludes that we have come far in norm setting, designing policies and plans, guidelines, and directives. Awareness is on the rise, gender expertise was augmented, tools have been developed to better integrate a gender perspective into our daily peace and security efforts. This article highlights some of NATO’s major achievements in implementing its women, peace, and security policy, identifies the work ahead, and argues the relevance of the women, peace, and security agenda for better response to security chal­lenges.