UN Secy Gen confers gender advocate award on Indian Major: ‘True role model’

Calling on the UN and member states to tap into the rich network created by the award, Major Sen expressed hope that “one day a peacekeeper of another gender” will be honoured with this prestigious award.

“Gender-sensitive peacekeeping is everyone’s business, not just us, the women. Peace begins with all of us in our beautiful diversity,” Major Sen, who served in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from March 2023 to April 2024 as the Commander of MONUSCO’s Engagement Platoon for the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion (INDRDB), said.
“A gender perspective in UN peacekeeping is essential for an effective, inclusive and sustainable peace process. Women and girls are disproportionately affected in conflict, facing increased risk and abuse. The need of the hour is to mainstream the women in nation-building, particularly in sectors of security and governance,” she said.

As he presided over the ‘Dag Hammarskjold Medal’ and ‘Military Gender Advocate of the Year’ ceremony, Guterres said, “Major Sen is a true leader and role model. Her service is a true credit to the United Nations as a whole. Please join me in congratulating Major Radhika Sen of India. I could not be prouder to confer her with the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.” Guterres noted that as commander of the Indian contingent’s engagement platoon, Major Sen led her unit on countless patrols. During these patrols, in an escalating conflict environment in North Kivu, her troops actively engaged with conflict-affected communities, including particularly women and girls. She earned their trust … doing so with humility, compassion, and dedication.” Born in Himachal Pradesh in 1993, Major Sen joined the Indian Army eight years ago. She graduated as a biotech engineer and was pursuing her Master’s degree from IIT Bombay when she decided to join the armed forces.

Earlier, Major Sen started her remarks at the ceremony, by saying she is “deeply honoured and humbled” to accept the award on behalf of her colleagues in MONUSCO and “my home country, India.” Stating that the engagement team served as the face of the contingent within the community, tirelessly striving to reach out to every segment of the DRC population, Major Sen said, her team had the opportunity to engage with the communities on topics ranging from women’s health, education, child care to gender equality, women employment and combating sexual violence in conflict, along with interactions on various skill development programmes to foster self-reliance.

Lauding her “outstanding service” in DR Congo, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said that “her dedication and bravery highlight the invaluable role of women peacekeepers in building a better world. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and inspired by her commitment to peace and equality.” PTI