Major Abhilasha Barak Honored with UN Military Gender Advocate Award
Recognition for Major Abhilasha Barak
File image of Major Abhilasha Barak. (Photo:PTI)
United Nations, May 23: Major Abhilasha Barak, an Indian peacekeeper deployed with the UN mission in Lebanon, has been awarded a distinguished military gender advocate accolade by the United Nations.
She has received the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for her significant outreach initiatives aimed at women and girls during her service in Lebanon.
The Permanent Mission of India to the UN announced on social media, "We are proud to share that Major Abhilasha Barak has been honored with the 2025 @UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for her community engagement and gender sensitization training for peacekeepers."
Currently, Barak leads the Female Engagement Team (FET) within the Indian Battalion as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Notably, she is also recognized as the first female combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army. Major Barak will be celebrated at the UN headquarters during the observance of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on May 29.
In a proud moment for India, she becomes the third Indian to receive this award, following Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen, who were acknowledged for their exceptional contributions in UN Peacekeeping missions.
Established in 2016 by the Office of Military Affairs within the Department for Peace Operations (DPO), this award honors the commitment and efforts of a military peacekeeper in advancing the principles outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 regarding Women, Peace, and Security.
The award highlights the contributions of military personnel who have effectively integrated a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations.
Each year, the recipient is chosen from nominees put forth by Force Commanders and Heads of Mission across all peace operations, as stated by UN Peacekeeping.
India ranks among the largest contributors of troops and police to UN peacekeeping efforts. As of February 2026, UNIFIL comprises 7,538 peacekeepers from 48 contributing nations, with India providing 642 personnel, ranking fourth after Italy, Indonesia, and Spain.