Terrorist threats posed by radical Islamist groups, Russian meddling in Ukraine, and continued instability in the Middle East and parts of Asia contribute to a difficult security environment for the EU and NATO. In addition, the nature of security challenges has changed through the emergence of non-state actors and the rise of non-conventional threats such as cyber-attacks and hybrid warfare. In such an environment it is crucial for EU and NATO military operations to function optimally. One way to increase their effectiveness and credibility is to improve the role of women in them. Having a more balanced representation of genders makes missions more reflective of the countries carrying them out as well as of the countries in which they take place thereby enhancing the credibility of missions vis-vis the public in the West and the local population. Not only can the presence of more women improve the performance and work atmosphere of teams within the missions, but it also contributes to a more effective engagement with the local community.