Indian Peacekeeper Major Abhilasha Barak Receives UN Gender Advocate Award
UN honours Indian peacekeeper Major Abhilasha Barak with Gender Advocate Award
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Major Abhilasha Barak, an Indian peacekeeper in Lebanon, has been awarded the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for her efforts in women's outreach and gender sensitization training. She serves as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and will receive the award on May 29, International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
- 01Major Abhilasha Barak is the third woman to receive the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, following Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen.
- 02The award recognizes individuals who promote the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
- 03Major Barak has been honored for her outreach efforts with women and girls during her deployment in Lebanon.
- 04The award will be formally presented on May 29, International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
- 05Major Barak leads the Female Engagement Team (FET) within the Indian Battalion serving in UNIFIL.
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Major Abhilasha Barak, an Indian peacekeeper deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has been awarded the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. This prestigious recognition is given for her significant contributions to women's advocacy and gender sensitivity training. Serving as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET), Barak has been instrumental in outreach efforts aimed at empowering women and adolescent girls in the region. She is the third woman to receive this award, following Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen, who were recognized for their exemplary work in previous UN peacekeeping missions. The award, established in 2016, highlights the importance of integrating gender perspectives into peacekeeping operations, aligning with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Major Barak will receive her award on May 29, coinciding with the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, further emphasizing the role of women in peacekeeping efforts.
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Major Barak's recognition highlights the importance of women's roles in peacekeeping, potentially inspiring more women to engage in military and peacekeeping careers.
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