Who Is Major Abhilasha Barak? India’s First Woman Combat Helicopter Pilot Wins UN Gender Award
New Delhi: Major Abhilasha Barak of the Indian Army has been awarded the 2025 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, recognising her efforts in promoting gender-inclusive peacekeeping operations during her deployment in Lebanon. According to the United Nations and multiple media reports, the honour acknowledges her contribution towards advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The award was presented during the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York. UN Secretary-General António Guterres conferred the recognition on Major Barak for her leadership and outreach initiatives focused on women and girls in conflict-affected areas.
India’s First Woman Combat Helicopter Pilot
Major Abhilasha Barak created history by becoming the Indian Army’s first woman combat helicopter pilot. Her achievement marked a significant milestone for women officers in the armed forces and opened new opportunities in combat aviation roles. Reports by WION highlighted that her journey has become an inspiration for several aspiring women officers across the country.
She is currently serving with the Indian Battalion under UNIFIL as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team and also acts as the Gender Focal Point in southern Lebanon. Her role involved interacting with local communities, especially women and adolescent girls, while also conducting gender sensitisation programmes for peacekeepers.
Contribution To UN Peacekeeping Mission
According to UN statements and media reports, Major Barak played a major role in strengthening communication between peacekeepers and local women in Lebanon. Her work focused on increasing women’s participation, improving community outreach, and ensuring gender-responsive peacekeeping operations.
The recognition also reflects India’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. Major Barak became the third Indian peacekeeper to receive the honour after Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen.
PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Major Barak
Congratulations to Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Major Barak is serving as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This honour is a recognition… pic.twitter.com/00Yyv963GT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Major Barak on receiving the prestigious international honour. The Prime Minister praised her achievement and stated that her recognition showcases India’s dedication to global peacekeeping efforts while also motivating young Indians, especially women, to serve the nation.
The award has been widely celebrated across social media platforms, with many users praising Major Barak for breaking barriers in the armed forces and representing India on the global stage.
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