Indian peacekeeper wins UN Military Gender Advocate Award

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Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Major Radhika Sen, an Indian peacekeeper, is set to receive the prestigious 2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lauded her as a “true leader and role model” for her exemplary service with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

The award will be presented to Major Sen on May 30 during a ceremony at the UN headquarters, coinciding with the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Major Sen served in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from March 2023 to April 2024 as the Commander of MONUSCO’s Engagement Platoon for the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion (INDRDB).

Hailing from Himachal Pradesh and born in 1993, Major Sen joined the Indian Army eight years ago. A biotech engineer by training, she was pursuing her Master’s degree at IIT Bombay before deciding to embark on a military career. Her tenure with MONUSCO began in March 2023, where she led mixed-gender engagement patrols in a volatile environment, earning the trust of conflict-affected communities, particularly women and girls.

Major Sen is the second Indian peacekeeper to receive this distinguished award, following Major Suman Gawani, who was honored in 2019 for her service with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Secretary-General Guterres commended Major Sen’s compassionate and dedicated service in North Kivu, a region plagued by escalating conflict. He highlighted her active engagement with local communities and her efforts to promote gender-sensitive peacekeeping.

Reflecting on the honor, Major Sen expressed her gratitude and emphasized the collective efforts of peacekeepers in challenging environments like the DRC. “This award is special to me as it gives recognition to the hard work put in by all the peacekeepers working in the challenging environment of DRC and giving their best to bring a positive change in society,” she said. She also stressed the importance of gender-sensitive peacekeeping, stating, “Gender-sensitive peacekeeping is everybody’s business – not just us, women. Peace begins with all of us in our beautiful diversity!”

The United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, established in 2016, recognizes the dedication of military peacekeepers in promoting the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. This award honors those who have effectively integrated a gender perspective into peacekeeping activities. The selection is made from candidates nominated by Force Commanders and Heads of Mission from all peace operations.

India is currently the 11th largest contributor of women military peacekeepers to the United Nations, with 124 women deployed. The country has a long-standing tradition of being among the largest troop and police-contributing nations to UN peacekeeping missions.

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