Major Abhilasha Barak receives 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award

Why in News?

Major Abhilasha Barak, India’s first woman combat helicopter pilot, received the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award on 5 June for promoting the role and perspectives of women in UN peacekeeping operations.

• The award was presented by Antonio Guterres.
• She is the third Indian woman officer to receive this honour after Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen.

About Major Abhilasha Barak

• India’s first woman combat helicopter pilot.
• Serves as an engagement Team Commander, Gender Focal Point.
• Currently deployed with the Indian Battalion under United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

About UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award

• Established by the United Nations to recognize military peacekeepers who advance gender equality and women’s participation in peace and security efforts.
• Highlights the importance of integrating gender perspectives into peacekeeping operations.

Dag Hammarskjold award 

• Guterres also presented the Dag Hammarskjold award for two Indian peacekeepers who died while serving the UN.
• India’s Permanent Representative P. Harish received the awards for Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh, who was a peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan in South Sudan.

About UNIFIL

• The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established in 1978.
• Operates along the border between Lebanon and Israel.
• Mandated to:
  • Monitor cessation of hostilities.
  • Support peace and security.
  • Assist the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon.

Currently considered one of the most challenging UN peacekeeping missions due to tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

Source: UN