United Nations, May 29: Indian Army Major Radhika Sen has been selected to receive a prestigious UN award for her outstanding advocacy in promoting gender equality while serving as a peacekeeper, announced Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The 2023 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award will be presented to Sen by Guterres on Thursday, coinciding with the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
The award acknowledges the commendable efforts of military peacekeepers in upholding the principles outlined in the 2000 Security Council resolution, which emphasizes the protection of women and girls from conflict-related sexual violence and assigns gender-related responsibilities to the UN.
Guterres praised Sen as "a true leader and role model," commending her service as a testament to the United Nations as a whole.
Sen's tenure with the Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) saw her instrumental in establishing the Community Alert Networks in North Kivu. This platform facilitated engagement with community leaders, youth, and women, enabling them to voice their security and humanitarian concerns, as highlighted by the UN.
Working alongside her MONUSCO colleagues, Sen actively addressed these concerns, earning the trust of conflict-affected communities, including women and girls, amidst an escalating conflict environment in North Kivu, according to Guterres.
Sen emphasized the collective responsibility of gender-sensitive peacekeeping, stating, "Peace begins with all of us in our beautiful diversity."
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Sen attributed the award to the collective efforts of peacekeepers operating in the challenging environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, striving to bring about positive change in society.
Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, Sen, a biotech engineer by education, joined the Army during her master's studies at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Assigned to MONUSCO in 2023 as the Engagement Platoon Commander with the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion, she completed her tenure in April 2024.
Sen follows in the footsteps of Major Suman Gawani as the second Indian peacekeeper to receive this honor. Of the 6,063 Indian personnel serving in UN peacekeeping operations, 1,954 are deployed with MONUSCO, including 32 women.
Sen's leadership in conducting mixed-gender engagement patrols and activities has set an inspiring example, fostering a safe and inclusive environment for both men and women under her command, noted the UN.
Moreover, Sen's initiatives, such as English language classes for children and health, gender, and vocational training for adults, have directly contributed to empowering women and fostering solidarity within communities.
In the village of Kashlira near Rwindi town, Sen encouraged women to advocate for their rights, particularly in local security and peace discussions, showcasing her commitment to gender equality and community empowerment.
