Indian peacekeeper is UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year

Geneva [Switzerland]: An Indian peacekeeper deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), who helped establish networks for local people to voice their security and humanitarian concerns, is the winner of the 2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, the UN announced on Tuesday.

Major Radhika Sen served in eastern DRC with the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, from March 2023 to April 2024 as the Commander of the Engagement Platoon for the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion.

She will receive the award from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a ceremony on Thursday. Guterres congratulated Major Sen for her service, describing her service as "a true credit to the United Nations as a whole."

"In an escalating conflict environment in North Kivu, her troops actively engaged with conflict-affected communities, including women and girls," he explained, noting that she earned their trust "with humility, compassion, and dedication."

Upon receiving news of the Award, Major Sen expressed gratitude for being selected and reflected on her peacekeeping role.

"This award is special to me as it gives a recognition to the hard work put in by all the peacekeepers working in the challenging environment of DRC," she said.

"Gender-sensitive peacekeeping is everybody's business - not just us, women. Peace begins with all of us in our beautiful diversity!" Major Sen led mixed-gender engagement patrols and activities in a volatile environment, where many people, including women and children, were fleeing the conflict.

(ANI)