Major Abhilasha Barak, an officer of the Indian Army, has been chosen to receive the prestigious 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. This accolade is presented annually by the UN to recognize outstanding contributions by military peacekeepers in promoting gender equality and integrating a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations.
Recognition of Gender Advocacy in Peacekeeping
The award highlights Major Barak's exceptional efforts in advancing the women, peace, and security agenda during her deployment with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Her work has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive environment and ensuring that gender considerations are embedded in all aspects of the mission's activities.
Major Barak's Contributions
Major Barak served as a Gender Advisor in UNMISS, where she conducted training sessions for peacekeepers on gender-sensitive approaches and engaged with local communities to address issues affecting women and girls. She also played a key role in developing strategies to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, and in promoting the participation of women in peace processes.
Her dedication and leadership have set a benchmark for gender advocacy in UN peacekeeping missions. The award not only honors her individual achievements but also underscores the commitment of the Indian Armed Forces to gender equality.
Significance of the Award
The UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award was established in 2016 to encourage and recognize the efforts of military peacekeepers who champion gender equality. It is a testament to the critical role that gender perspectives play in achieving sustainable peace and security.
Major Barak will receive the award during a ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2025. She is the first Indian military officer to be honored with this award, reflecting India's growing contribution to UN peacekeeping and its commitment to gender equality.
The selection process involved a rigorous evaluation of candidates from various contributing countries, with Major Barak emerging as the top choice due to her impactful initiatives and measurable results in the field.
This recognition is expected to inspire more military personnel to prioritize gender equality in their peacekeeping duties and to highlight the importance of integrating gender perspectives in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction.
