Indian Army's Major Abhilasha Barak to Receive 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award | Current Affairs

Indian Army officer Major Abhilasha Barak has been selected for the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. The announcement was made by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations on 23 May 2026. She is currently deployed as Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET) with the Indian Battalion under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). She will formally receive the award at UN Headquarters on 29 May 2026, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

Background: The UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award was established in 2016 by the Office of Military Affairs under the UN Department of Peace Operations. It is given annually to a military peacekeeper who shows outstanding commitment to promoting the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 — a landmark resolution focused on women's participation in peace, security, and conflict resolution. Major Barak was recognised for conducting community outreach programmes for women and adolescent girls in Lebanon, as well as providing gender sensitisation training to fellow peacekeepers.

Why in News: Major Abhilasha Barak becomes the third Indian officer to win this prestigious award, and she also holds the distinction of being the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army — making her recognition especially significant.

Key Points to Remember:

Award: 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award
Awardee: Major Abhilasha Barak (Indian Army)
Announced By: Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations
Announcement Date: 23 May 2026
Formal Award Date: 29 May 2026 (International Day of UN Peacekeepers)
Her Role in UNIFIL: Commander, Female Engagement Team (FET), INDBATT-XXVI
Mission: UNIFIL — United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
Award Established: 2016
Based On: UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace & Security)
Previous Indian Winners: Major Suman Gawani (2019) and Major Radhika Sen (2024)
Historic Distinction: First woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army
India's Rank in UNIFIL: 4th largest troop contributor (642 personnel)

Related Static GK:

UNIFIL Full Form: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
UNIFIL Established: 1978
UN Security Council Resolution 1325: Adopted in 2000; focuses on women's role in peace and security
International Day of UN Peacekeepers: 29 May (observed every year)
India's Role in UN Peacekeeping: One of the largest troop and police contributing countries globally
Major Suman Gawani: Served in UNMISS (South Sudan) — 2019 winner
Major Radhika Sen: Served in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) — 2024 winner
India's Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh
India's Army Chief (2026): General Upendra Dwivedi