Indian Peacekeeper Is UN Military Gender Advocate of The Year

An Indian peacekeeper deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who helped establish networks for local people to voice their security and humanitarian concerns.

Indian Peacekeeper Is UN Military Gender Advocate of The Year

An Indian peacekeeper deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who helped establish networks for local people to voice their security and humanitarian concerns, is the winner of the 2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, the UN announced. Major Radhika Sen served in eastern DRC with the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, from March 2023 to April 2024 as the Commander of the Engagement Platoon for the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion.

Major Sen facilitated English classes for children, and health, gender and vocational training for displaced and marginalized adults. Her efforts directly inspired women’s solidarity, providing safe spaces for open dialogue. Major Sen is the second Indian peacekeeper to receive the award, following Major Suman Gawani, a co-recipient for 2019. Other past honourees were from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Who is Major Radhika Sen

Radhika Sen served with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) from March 2023 to April 2024 as the Commander of MONUSCO’s engagement platoon for the Indian rapid deployment battalion (INDRDB). Major Radhika Sen joined the Indian Army eight years ago. She graduated with a degree in biotechnology engineering and was pursuing her Master’s degree at IIT Bombay when she decided to join the armed forces.

Sen was deployed to MONUSCO in March 2023 as the engagement platoon commander with the Indian rapid deployment battalion. She completed her tenure in April 2024. Reacting to the development, Major Sen said, “This award is special to me as it gives recognition to the hard work put in by all the peacekeepers working in the challenging environment of DRC and giving their best to bring a positive change in the society.”

“Gender-sensitive peacekeeping is everybody’s business – not just us, women. Peace begins with all of us in our beautiful diversity!” she added.

India’s Commitment to UN Peacekeeping

•UN Peacekeeping is a vital tool employed by the United Nations to help countries navigate the path from conflict to peace.

•It involves the deployment of military, police, and civilian personnel to regions affected by conflicts or political instability.

•The primary objective of UN Peacekeeping is to facilitate peace and security, protect civilians, and support the restoration of stable governance structures.

•India has a rich legacy of contributing to UN Peacekeeping operations. It is one of the largest troop-contributing countries, with a history of deploying soldiers, medical personnel, and engineers to various peacekeeping missions worldwide.

•India has contributed approximately 2,75,000 troops to peacekeeping missions so far.

•India has deployed Female Engagement Teams in United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Congo and United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, which is the second largest women contingent after Liberia.

•India has also deployed Women Military Police in United Nations Disengagement Observer Force and women staff officers and military observers in various missions.