Indian Army officer Major Abhilasha Barak has been chosen for the esteemed ‘United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2025 Award’ for her outstanding efforts in making the peacekeeping missions in Lebanon gender-inclusive. She did outreach programmes for women and adolescent girls with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL); she also delivered gender-sensitisation training for peacekeepers. She is also recognised as the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army. The award underscores India’s contribution to UN peace missions and women’s leadership in the military forces around the world.
Key Points of Major Abhilasha Barak Wins 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate Award
- UN named United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the year 2025 for Major Abhilasha Barak.
- She is currently deployed with the Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as the Commander, Female Engagement Team (FET).
- The award is given for her work in reaching out to women and adolescent girls in the community in Lebanon.
- She also led gender sensitisation trainings for peacekeepers in the mission zone.
- In military aviation, Lieutenant Colonel (Major) Barak becomes the first woman Combat Helicopter Pilot in the Indian Army, making history.
- The award was set up in 2016 by the Department for Peace Operations of the UN Office of Military Affairs.
- Fosters the implementation of the principles of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
- The honour will be formally presented during the International Day of the UN Peacekeepers on 29th May 2026 at UN Headquarters.
- It is a distinction that had already been conferred on the previous peacekeepers in India: Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen.
- However, India continues to be one of the biggest military contributors in UN peacekeeping missions across the world.
Expected MCQs on Major Abhilasha Barak Receiving UN Award
| Question | Options | Answer |
| Major Abhilasha Barak will receive which international honour in 2025? | A) Ramon Magsaysay Award B) UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award C) Nobel Peace Prize D) UN Human Rights Award | B) UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award |
| The 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award will be presented to Major Abhilasha Barak for her service in which country? | A) Sudan B) Congo C) Lebanon D) Syria | C) Lebanon |
| Major Abhilasha Barak served with which United Nations peacekeeping mission? | A) UNIFIL B) UNMISS C) MINUSCA D) MONUSCO | A) UNIFIL |
| Which country does Major Abhilasha Barak belong to? | A) Nepal B) India C) Bangladesh D) Sri Lanka | B) India |
| The UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award promotes which agenda of the United Nations? | A) Digital Governance B) Climate Action C) Women, Peace and Security D) Nuclear Disarmament | C) Women, Peace and Security |
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Conclusion on Major Abhilasha Barak’s UN Honour
India’s recognition of Major Abhilasha Barak by the United Nations evokes pride and high honour, highlighting the country’s growing prominence in the field of global peacekeeping and women’s military leadership. Her work in Lebanon is a prime example of the importance of gender-responsive peacekeeping in building credibility and trust between local communities and peacekeepers. The award also reflects a marked increase in the involvement of women officers in the defence services and humanitarian assistance operations internationally. India will have added to its rich UN peacekeeping experience with this recording, and it’s a great example of the capabilities of the Indian women officers who represent the nation abroad. This honour is to be recognised as an inspiration for those who are preparing for defence and civil services examinations.
