New Delhi

The United Nations in India on Friday honoured Major Abhilasha Barak with the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

Major Barak, who is currently serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has been recognised for her leadership in advancing gender-sensitive peacekeeping initiatives. She is also the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army.

In a post on X, the UN in India praised Major Barak for her contribution towards community outreach and empowerment programmes. The organisation said she had actively engaged with more than 5,000 women and girls through initiatives related to vocational training, education and healthcare, helping support empowerment and recovery in conflict-affected regions.

The post described her as an outstanding leader committed to promoting gender-responsive peacekeeping practices.

India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations also congratulated Major Barak on receiving the honour. It noted that she is serving with the Indian Battalion in UNIFIL as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET).

The mission highlighted her work in conducting outreach activities for women and adolescent girls, as well as organising gender sensitisation programmes for fellow peacekeepers.

It further stated that Major Barak is the third Indian recipient of the award after Major Suman Gawani, who received it in 2019, and Major Radhika Sen in 2024.

The Embassy of India in Beirut also extended its congratulations, commending her distinguished service as the Female Engagement Team Commander of INDBATT-XXVI.

Instituted in 2016, the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award is presented annually to a military peacekeeper who demonstrates exceptional commitment towards advancing the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

The resolution calls for the integration of gender perspectives into peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations, greater participation of women in peace and political processes, and stronger measures to prevent conflict-related sexual violence.

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It also emphasises increasing the role of women in UN missions, including the deployment of more women peacekeepers worldwide.