Major Abhilasha Barak Honored with 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate Award
Indian Army's Major Abhilasha Barak wins prestigious UN gender award
Image: Asianet Newsable
Major Abhilasha Barak of the Indian Army has been awarded the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for her exceptional work in gender sensitization and community engagement for women and girls. She serves as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
- 01Major Abhilasha Barak is the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army.
- 02She is the third Indian recipient of the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, following Major Suman Gawani in 2019 and Major Radhika Sen in 2024.
- 03The award recognizes individuals for their commitment to promoting gender perspectives in peacekeeping, aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
- 04The Embassy of India in Beirut congratulated Major Barak for her achievements.
- 05The UN Military Gender Advocate Award has been presented annually since 2016 to military peacekeepers demonstrating leadership in gender advocacy.
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Major Abhilasha Barak has been awarded the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, as announced by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations. Serving as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET) in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Barak is recognized for her significant outreach and community engagement efforts aimed at women and adolescent girls, along with her gender sensitization training for peacekeepers. Notably, she is also the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army. This award marks her as the third Indian recipient, following Major Suman Gawani in 2019 and Major Radhika Sen in 2024. The Embassy of India in Beirut extended its congratulations, highlighting her distinguished service. The UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award has been awarded since 2016 to military personnel who exemplify outstanding commitment to gender advocacy in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which emphasizes the importance of women's roles in peacekeeping and the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence.
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Major Barak's recognition may inspire greater gender inclusivity in peacekeeping roles and encourage similar initiatives within the Indian Army and beyond.
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