Major Abhilasha Barak: Third Indian to Win UN Military Gender Advocate Award
Award Details
- Recipient: Major Abhilasha Barak
- Award: UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025
- Honouring Ceremony: UN Headquarters during International Day of UN Peacekeepers (29th May)
About the Awardee
- Current Posting: UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
- Role: Commander of Female Engagement Team (FET) in Indian Battalion
- Distinction: First woman combat helicopter pilot of Indian Army
Recognition Details
- Acknowledged for outreach and community engagement with women and adolescent girls
- Recognised for gender sensitisation training for peacekeepers
- Third Indian recipient of this prestigious award
Previous Indian Recipients
- Major Suman Gawani (2019)
- Major Radhika Sen (2023)
UNIFIL Background
- Full form: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
- UN peacekeeping mission deployed in Lebanon
- India contributes 642 personnel to the mission
- One of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping
About the Award
- Created: 2016
- Created by: Office of Military Affairs under Department for Peace Operations
- Purpose: Recognise military peacekeepers who integrate gender perspective into peacekeeping activities
- Related to: UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS Agenda)
Significance for India
- Reflects India's strong role as one of the largest troop and police contributors to UN peacekeeping
- Showcases commitment to Women, Peace and Security agenda
- Highlights increasing participation of Indian women in peacekeeping operations
Key Dates
- International Day of UN Peacekeepers: 29th May annually
- Commemorates service and sacrifice of UN peacekeepers
Related Concepts
- UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000): Calls for increased participation of women in peace processes and their protection from gender-based violence
- Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda: UN framework to address women's role in conflict resolution and peacebuilding
- Female Engagement Teams (FET): Special units within peacekeeping missions that engage with local women and marginalised communities