Indian woman peacekeeper Major Abhilasha Barak honoured with UN Military Gender Advocate Award
New York, June 6
Indian woman peacekeeper Major Abhilasha Barak, who is also the country's first woman combat helicopter pilot, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate Award.
Barak, who is serving with the UN Peacekeeping in Lebanon, received the award from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a ceremony on Friday here.
"Congratulations to our UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year, Major Abhilasha Barak of India, who is serving for peace with UN Peacekeeping in Lebanon. Her work shows the critical role that UNIFIL plays & how its presence is transforming the lives of women & girls, even under the most challenging circumstances. Major Barak, you are a role model to those you serve & those you serve with. Thank you for your service," Guterres said in a post on X.
The UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award is presented annually since 2016 to a military peacekeeper - male or female - who has shown outstanding commitment and leadership in promoting the principles of UN Security Council Resolution Resolution 1325.
The resolution calls on to mainstream a gender perspective in all aspects of peacekeeping and peacebuilding and to ensure women's participation in peace and political processes.
The Resolution also calls for the protection from, and prevention of, conflict-related sexual violence and for an expansion of the role and contribution of women in UN operations, including uniformed women peacekeepers.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is wonderful news! But we need more concrete action from the UN to protect women in conflict zones, not just awards. Major Barak's work is commendable, but let's hope it leads to real change on the ground for women and girls in Lebanon.
Great to see India's contributions to UN peacekeeping recognized globally. Major Barak's dual role as a pilot and gender advocate shows how diverse skills are needed for modern peacekeeping.
This is a big moment for India. But I do wonder why the UN hasn't done more to ensure gender equality within its own peacekeeping forces. Major Barak is an exception, not the norm. Hope this changes soon.
As someone who follows UN missions closely, I'm really impressed. Major Barak's work in Lebanon is crucial—she's not just a symbolic figure but actually making a difference in women's lives. Well deserved! 🏆
Bahut badhai! First woman combat helicopter pilot and now this award—she is breaking all ceilings. India's daughters are truly making us proud on the global stage. 🇮🇳🙏
Major Barak's achievement is fantastic, but I hope the Indian government also focuses on improving conditions for women in our own armed forces. Gender equality starts at home.
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