UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for 2023

On May 30th, 2024, Major Radhika Sen, an Indian peacekeeper deployed in Congo under the United Nations (U.N.) Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), was awarded the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for 2023 for her work supporting conflict-affected communities.

Key Points

The award was presented to her by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
She served as the Engagement Platoon Commander with the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion till April 2024.
Radhika Sen is the second Indian peacekeeper to receive Award.
Major Suman Gawani was first to receive for her service with the UN Mission in South Sudan. She was honoured in 2019.
Among the 6,063 Indian personnel deployed in UN peacekeeping operations, she served alongside 1,954 individuals within MONUSCO, of which 32 were women.
She organised programs like English classes for kids and health and vocational training for adults, established Community Alert Networks, aiding conflict-affected communities in North Kivu.