Indian Army officer Major Abhilasha Barak has been awarded the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations announced on Friday (May 22).
She will formally receive the award at the UN Headquarters on May 29 this year when the world body marks the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
Major Barak is serving with the Indian Battalion as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET) in UNIFIL, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and happens to be the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army, the official X handle of India at UN, NY post.
“She is being recognized for her outreach and community engagement activities for women and adolescent girls, and for gender sensitization training for peacekeepers,” it added.
The Office of Military Affairs established the award in 2016 and honours military personnel who integrate gender perspectives into peacekeeping operations in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which highlights women’s roles in conflict prevention and peace processes.
The Embassy of India in Lebanon also greeted Major Barak. Through its handle on X, the Embassy posted, “The Embassy extends heartiest congratulations to Major Abhilasha Barak on being honoured with the prestigious UN Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2025 by the United Nations. Major Barak served with distinction as the Female Engagement Team (FET) Commander of INDBATT-XXVI.”
Major Barak is the third Indian officer to receive the honour, following Major Suman Gawani in 2019 and Major Radhika Sen in 2024. Major Gawani served with the UN Mission in South Sudan, while Major Radhika Sen served with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Permanent Mission of India to the UN called it a moment of pride, while the Embassy of India in Beirut extended its congratulations, noting that Major Barak had served with distinction as the FET Commander of INDBATT-XXVI.