Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Major Abhilasha Barak after she was conferred the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
Major Barak, India’s first woman combat helicopter pilot, is currently serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point. She received the award from Antonio Guterres during a ceremony in New York on Friday.
In a post on X, Modi said: “Congratulations to Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Major Barak is serving as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This honour is a recognition of her exemplary service and also of India’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping efforts. Her achievement is also an inspiration to countless young Indians, especially our daughters, who aspire to serve the nation and humanity.”
Congratulations to Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Major Barak is serving as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This honour is a recognition… pic.twitter.com/00Yyv963GT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2026
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also congratulated Barak and said her achievement reflected the strength of “Nari Shakti” and India’s continued contribution to UN peacekeeping operations.
In a post on X, Goyal said: “Many congratulations to Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Having received this honour for her exemplary service as an Engagement Team Commander & Gender Focal Point within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), she has brought immense pride to the nation. Her achievement is a true testament to Nari Shakti and a reflection of India’s continued contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts. May her journey inspire countless young girls to pursue their aspirations with confidence and courage.”
The UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award has been presented annually since 2016 to a military peacekeeper who demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
© x.com/narendramodiThe resolution calls for integrating a gender perspective into peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, increasing women’s participation in peace and political processes, preventing conflict-related sexual violence, and expanding the role of women in United Nations operations, including uniformed peacekeeping missions.
Leave a Reply