Ms Ariadne Petridis, now the first woman Secretary-General of the Benelux Union, is shown at her NATO farewell, where she served as Belgium’s first female Ambassador. In a world of rising security challenges and conflict, we need to break barriers and ensure women's meaningful participation in decision-making. Their skills and perspectives are essential to fostering peace and security, building resilience, promoting cooperation, and shaping a more inclusive world. They serve as role models, helping to empower future generations.