Indian Army Major Radhika Sen has been selected to receive the 2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Stephane Dujarric, the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, announced this and praised Major Sen’s exceptional service as a peacekeeper. Guterres will present the award to Sen on May 30, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
The award honours the significant contributions of military peacekeepers in promoting the principles of the 2000 Security Council Resolution 1325, which emphasizes the protection of women and girls from conflict-related sexual violence and outlines gender-related responsibilities for the UN. Major Sen’s recognition highlights her impactful work advancing these principles during her tenure with the Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
Sen served with MONUSCO in North Kivu, a region plagued by conflict and humanitarian crises. She played a crucial role in establishing Community Alert Networks, facilitating a platform for community leaders, youth, and women to voice their security and humanitarian concerns. In collaboration with MONUSCO colleagues, her efforts addressed these concerns and fostered a safer and more inclusive environment for the conflict-affected communities.
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“Her service was a true credit to the United Nations as a whole,” Guterres remarked, lauding Sen as “a true leader and role model.” He highlighted her ability to earn the trust of conflict-affected communities, including women and girls, through her humility, compassion, and dedication. Sen’s leadership in an escalating conflict environment in North Kivu exemplified her commitment to gender-sensitive peacekeeping.
In response to receiving the award, Major Sen expressed her gratitude and reflected on the collective efforts of peacekeepers in challenging environments. “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 the society,” she said. Emphasizing the importance of inclusive peacekeeping, she added, “Gender-sensitive peacekeeping is everybody’s business – not just us, women. Peace begins with all of us in our beautiful diversity.”
Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, Sen’s journey to becoming a celebrated peacekeeper is inspiring. Born in 1993, she graduated as a biotech engineer and studied for her Master’s degree at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay when she decided to join the Indian Army. Her decision began a distinguished military career, culminating in her assignment to MONUSCO in March 2023 as the Engagement Platoon Commander with the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion. She completed her tenure in April 2024.
Sen is the second Indian peacekeeper to receive this prestigious honour. Major Suman Gawani, who served with the UN Mission in South Sudan, was the first to receive the award in 2019. This accolade underscores India’s significant contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. Of the 6,063 Indian personnel in UN peacekeeping missions, 1,954 serve with MONUSCO, including 32 women.
Major Sen’s role in MONUSCO involved leading mixed-gender engagement patrols and activities, fostering a safe space for both men and women to operate under her command. She ensured that her team operated sensitively to gender and sociocultural norms in the eastern DRC, which helped build trust and increase the chances of successful peacekeeping operations. Her efforts inspired women’s solidarity and provided safe meetings and open dialogue spaces.
Among the initiatives she launched were English language classes for children and health, gender, and vocational training for adults. In the village of Kashlira, near Rwindi town, she encouraged women to organize themselves to advocate for their rights, particularly in local security and peace discussions.
Congratulating Major Sen, Guterres emphasized that her service and leadership set a high standard for peacekeepers worldwide. “Her service was a true credit to the United Nations as a whole,” he noted. Her actions have inspired both men and women and underscored the importance of integrating a gender perspective into peacekeeping activities.
The United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award was created in 2016 to acknowledge the dedication of individual military peacekeepers to gender-sensitive peacekeeping. This award aligns with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. It is administered by the Office of Military Affairs within the Department for Peace Operations (DPO) and is awarded to those who best integrate a gender perspective into peacekeeping missions. Each year, the awardee is chosen from candidates nominated by Force Commanders and Heads of Mission from all peace operations.
India ranks as the 11th largest contributor of women military peacekeepers to the United Nations. Currently, 124 Indian women are deployed in various missions. India has traditionally been a significant contributor of both troops and police to UN peacekeeping missions.
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