Major Abhilasha Barak Set To Receive "UN Military Gender Advocate Of The Year" Award

Beirut, Lebanon, May 24, AIMA Media International Update News : Major Abhilasha Barak, a female officer of the Indian Army currently serving on behalf of India in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission, has created history. Elevating the nation's prestige on the international stage, she has been selected for the prestigious "UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year (2025)" award presented by the United Nations. The United Nations announced this award in recognition of her exceptional efforts, undertaken as part of her official duties, to provide protection to women and girls in conflict-prone regions and to establish a close rapport with them.

Major Abhilasha Barak currently serves as the Commander of the 'Female Engagement Team' (FET) within the Indian Battalion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. By constantly engaging with women and girls in the local community an environment marked by conflict she successfully organized special community outreach programs addressing their safety and health concerns. Notably, even before being selected for this award, she had already set a new record in India's defense sector by becoming the Indian Army's first-ever female combat helicopter pilot.

Major Abhilasha has now become the third Indian female Army officer to receive this rare and distinguished award from the United Nations. While Major Suman Gawani (2019) and Major Radhika Sen (2023) previously received this honor, Abhilasha has now joined that distinguished list. She will be officially presented with this award on May 29, on the occasion of the ‘International Day of UN Peacekeepers,’ at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.


--- M Venkata T Reddy, News Editor and Investigative Journalist