UN MILITARY GENDER ADVOCATE AWARD

Why In News?

Major Abhilasha Barak honored with the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. 

About UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award

Establishment: The Office of Military Affairs under the Department for Peace Operations (DPO) created this award in 2016.

• DPO is the UN entity charged with the planning, management, and direction of global peacekeeping operations.
• Under the direction of the UN Secretariat, DPO operates under the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.

Core Purpose: The award recognizes military peacekeepers who integrate a gender perspective into peacekeeping activities and promote the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.

UN Resolution 1325: This resolution mandates the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in peacekeeping and ensures women’s participation in peace and political processes.

2025 Recipient: Major Abhilasha Barak receives the 2025 award for her work with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

• She serves as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET).
• She conducted outreach for women and adolescent girls and delivered gender-sensitization training for peacekeepers.
• She is the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army.

Legacy of Indian Recipients: India demonstrates strong leadership with three recipients to date:

• Major Suman Gawani (2019)
• Major Radhika Sen (2023)
• Major Abhilasha Barak (2025)

India’s Role in UN Peacekeeping

Guiding Philosophy: India operates under the principle of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family), emphasizing dialogue, diplomacy, and non-violence.

Historical Timeline: India’s involvement dates back to the 1950-54 UN operation in Korea, where it provided medical cover and chaired the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission.

Cumulative Contribution: India is the 4th largest personnel contributor to UN peacekeeping.

• Nepal contributes the highest number of military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping missions, while the United States is the largest financial contributor.

Sacrifice: Approximately 180 Indian peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 

First All-Female Unit: In 2007, India deployed the first-ever all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Liberia, which increased local women's participation in security sectors.

Source: NEWSONAIR