Major Abhilasha Barak, an Indian Army officer who made history as the nation’s first female combat helicopter pilot, has been formally awarded the prestigious 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
Presented by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN Headquarters, this award recognizes her exceptional efforts in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda while serving with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Major Barak is the third Indian peacekeeper to receive this honour.
Impactful Service in Lebanon
Deployed to southern Lebanon in June 2025, Major Barak served as the Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point. Operating in a high-risk zone, she executed a record-breaking 539 gender-focused field activities in six months. These initiatives empowered over 5,000 local women through health, education, and vocational support.
Key initiatives led by Major Barak included:
- The Lebanon Gender Initiative: An AI-driven platform for reporting gender-based violence and accessing resources.
- ITEC Scholarships: Securing 75 scholarships for Lebanese women for technical training.
- All-Women Patrols: Leading security patrols to foster local trust during high-tension periods.
A Legacy of Breaking Barriers
Before her UN deployment, Major Barak made history in 2022 as the Indian Army’s first woman combat aviator. “Being the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army, I experienced firsthand how opportunity enables women to break barriers and reach milestones,” she stated during the ceremony.
The award, established in 2016, highlights India’s significant contribution to UN peacekeeping and its commitment to gender equality.
