The United Nations Peacekeeping has unveiled the shortlisted nominees for the prestigious Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for 2025. This award seeks to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of uniformed military personnel who have played a vital role in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in various field missions. The nominees come from prominent UN peacekeeping operations, including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
The award is given annually on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, celebrated on 29 May, to honor the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism of peacekeepers in conflict and post-conflict areas. Established in 2016 by the Office of Military Affairs under the UN Department of Peace Operations, the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award recognizes a military peacekeeper for their exceptional commitment to embedding a gender perspective in peacekeeping activities.
This year’s nominee list holds particular significance for India, featuring three distinguished officers from the Indian Army. Major Abhilasha Barak from UNIFIL, Major Mouiz Yaseen from UNMISS, and Major Soniya Newaskar, also from UNMISS, are the Indian representatives highlighted in the announcement. Other nominees include Major Maria Michela Tagliacozzi Lanciotti from Italy, Major Patricia Asafo-Adjei from Ghana, and Major Rabin Thapa from Nepal.
Major Abhilasha Barak is serving as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team in UNIFIL and is celebrated as the Indian Army’s first woman combat helicopter pilot. Her recognition as the recipient of the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award marks a significant milestone for India in the realm of UN peacekeeping. Major Barak becomes the third Indian peacekeeper to receive this honor, following Major Suman Gawani, who was recognized in 2019 for her contributions to the UN Mission in South Sudan, and Major Radhika Sen, awarded in 2023 for her endeavors with MONUSCO.
The award aligns closely with the principles outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which advocates for increased women’s participation in peace processes, the protection of women and girls in conflict zones, and the integration of gender perspectives into peacekeeping operations.
Nominees for the award are selected based on recommendations from Force Commanders and Heads of Mission across various peace operations. Criteria for selection emphasize the promotion of gender equality, integration of gender-sensitive approaches in military tasks, engagement with local women and girls, and advancement of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in mission areas.
Images released alongside the announcement depicted female peacekeepers in their blue berets and mission-specific uniforms, symbolizing the growing visibility of women in peacekeeping roles. These images signify the diversity among troop-contributing countries and highlight the increasing importance of gender-responsive strategies in addressing the complexities arising from conflict, displacement, and insecurity in local communities.
India’s representation in this shortlist underscores its ongoing contributions to global peacekeeping efforts and reinforces the country’s commitment to gender-inclusive military operations. Indian women peacekeepers have stepped into various roles, including community engagement and protection responsibilities in complex environments, enhancing trust between peacekeepers and local populations, particularly among women and children.
Major Barak’s role in Lebanon illustrates the critical function of Female Engagement Teams in contemporary peacekeeping. These teams serve as essential connectors between military peacekeepers and local communities, providing a safe space for women who may face cultural barriers in approaching male peacekeepers. Through outreach initiatives, dialogue, and confidence-building activities, these teams enhance mission understanding of local security issues and bolster protection efforts.
The 2025 shortlist exemplifies the international character of UN peacekeeping, with officers from countries like India, Italy, Ghana, and Nepal, collectively representing a commitment to inclusive peace operations. Their nominations highlight that gender advocacy is now regarded as an operational necessity rather than a secondary concern in conflict zones.
The Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award continues to be a vital platform for recognizing peacekeepers who transcend traditional military roles to foster community trust and gender equality. By honoring such individuals, the United Nations emphasizes that successful peacekeeping demands operational excellence alongside empathy, inclusivity, and a profound understanding of the communities served.
In total, three Indian Army officers were nominated this year, with Major Abhilasha Barak being recognized as the 2025 awardee. This not only augments India’s reputation in UN peacekeeping but also places Major Barak among a distinguished cohort of Indian officers who have achieved international recognition for their efforts in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
