An Indian Army officer from Bengaluru has been honoured with a prestigious United Nations award for her groundbreaking work in empowering women within conflict zones. Major Swathi Shanthakumar, aged 31, has been named the winner of the UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 in the Gender Category.
Recognising 'Equal Partners, Lasting Peace'
The award, announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, recognises Major Swathi's impactful project titled 'Equal Partners, Lasting Peace'. Her initiative focused on strengthening gender-responsive peacekeeping and enhancing grassroots outreach in and around Malakal, South Sudan. She currently leads India's first all-woman military engagement team deployed to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
"When we first arrived, women were particularly reluctant to engage. They were not used to seeing women in uniform… During our first patrol, women were not speaking to us at all. Now they approach us on their own and share their stories," Swathi revealed in a video message. Her project was shortlisted from nominations across all UN peacekeeping missions worldwide and emerged as the top choice through a global UN-wide voting process.
Breaking Barriers Beyond the Base
Traditionally, women peacekeepers have often been assigned support roles within UN bases. However, Major Swathi's team had a mandate requiring extensive work outside the compound. Under her leadership, the team conducted foot, river, and air patrols to reach remote and conflict-affected communities. Their work involved distributing health kits and holding direct conversations with local women, a task previously met with hesitation.
The UN cited the team's crucial role in helping create a safer and more conducive environment for over 5,000 women, fostering greater participation and trust at the community level. Key to this improved outreach were the short-and-long-distance patrols, including air sorties to far-flung counties.
The Bengaluru Achiever's Journey
Major Swathi, a resident of Lingarajapuram in Bengaluru, did her schooling at St Charles High School and completed her Pre-University at Christ College. She then pursued engineering in electrical and electronics at New Horizon College. Her mother, Rajamani, a retired government school headmistress, shared that Swathi was placed at IBM through campus selection but worked there only for a year before deciding to join the Indian Army.
She cleared the SSB, completed her training at the Officers' Training Academy (OTA), and joined the Indian Army's Corps of Electronics & Mechanical Engineers. She is presently with the 3rd Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (3 JAK Rif). She is the eldest of three daughters; her sister Druthi is pursuing a master's degree in France, and the youngest, Maithri, is studying MBBS at Ramaiah College.
Her father, Shantha Kumar, a former ITC employee who retired three years ago, expressed immense pride alongside parental concern. "She is the first in our family to join the services. While we are all proud of her achievements, you will understand that as a father, her safety is paramount to me," he told TOI. He added that she is expected back in India in the first week of February, with her next assignment likely involving training young cadets.
Team member Neethu A described Swathi as a leader "who keeps up with her role very well, and keeps the team empowered." This award highlights a significant shift in peacekeeping, showcasing how women-led teams are building essential bridges for sustainable peace in some of the world's most challenging environments.
