New York, May 23 (JKNS): Major Abhilasha Barak of the Indian Army has been awarded the prestigious 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution towards gender empowerment and peacekeeping initiatives.
According to the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, as per news agency JKNS, Major Abhilasha Barak is currently serving with the Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET).
The Indian Army officer has been recognised for her extensive outreach and community engagement programmes for women and adolescent girls, besides conducting gender sensitisation training for peacekeepers deployed under the UN mission.
Major Abhilasha Barak also holds the distinction of being the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army.
India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, while announcing the honour, said Major Barak is the third Indian recipient of the award after Major Suman Gawani, who received it in 2019, and Major Radhika Sen, who was honoured in 2024.
The Embassy of India in Beirut also congratulated Major Barak and praised her distinguished service as Female Engagement Team Commander of INDBATT-XXVI in Lebanon.
The UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award has been presented annually since 2016 to military peacekeepers who demonstrate exceptional leadership in promoting the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
The resolution focuses on enhancing women’s participation in peace processes, mainstreaming gender perspectives in peacekeeping operations and preventing conflict-related sexual violence. (JKNS)
