Posting on the social media platform ‘X’, PM Modi wrote, “Congratulations to Major Abhilasha Barak on receiving the ‘United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award’. Major Barak is serving as the Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).”
He said, “This honor reflects her outstanding service and also reflects India’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping missions. Her achievement is an inspiration for many Indian youth, especially those daughters who want to serve the country and humanity.”
Major Barak, India’s first female combat helicopter pilot, has been awarded the ‘United Nations 2005 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award’. This honor was given to her for advancing the role and vision of women in peacekeeping missions.
In presenting the award, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Major Barak was ‘a role model for the people you serve and the people you work with.’
“Dreams have no gender, and neither does leadership, courage or the will to serve humanity,” said Major Barak, who was stationed in Lebanon. Lebanon is currently the most dangerous UN peacekeeping area.
He also said that this award is a reminder that lasting peace can only be achieved when every voice is heard and every person has the opportunity to thrive.
UN Assistant Secretary-General Lisa Buttenheim said Major Barak’s leadership and innovative approaches have advanced the work on women, peace and security in military operations.
Describing Major Barak’s work, Guterres said that by building trust with local communities, he helped build early alarming networks, which strengthened the protection of civilians.
He also said that as a frontline commander, he connected with thousands of women and girls and provided them with skills training, education and health programs that changed their lives.
Major Barak is the third female officer of India to receive this Military Gender Advocate Award. Before him, Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen had received this honour.
She is posted with the Indian Battalion in UNIFIL as the Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point. This mission is deployed on the border between Israel and Lebanon and is currently considered to be the riskiest peacekeeping mission.
Recalling her military career, Major Barak said, “Being the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army, I experienced firsthand how women, when given the opportunity, can overcome every obstacle and achieve great things.”
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