Beirut, Lebanon, May 24: Major Abhilasha Barak, an officer of the Indian Army currently serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has been selected for the prestigious “UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2025” award presented by the United Nations.
The United Nations announced the award in recognition of her efforts to support and engage with women and girls in conflict-affected areas as part of her peacekeeping responsibilities in Lebanon.
Major Abhilasha Barak is presently serving as Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET) within the Indian Battalion deployed under United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. During her deployment, she has been involved in community outreach initiatives focusing on the safety, welfare, and health concerns of local women and girls.
She had earlier made history by becoming one of the Indian Army’s first female combat helicopter pilots.
With this recognition, Major Abhilasha Barak becomes the third Indian woman Army officer to receive the UN Military Gender Advocate award. Previously, Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen had received the honour in earlier years.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 29 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
