News excerpt:
Major Radhika Sen of the UN mission in Congo was honored With UN's Military Gender Advocate Award, 2023.
Who is Major Radhika Sen?
- Major Radhika Sen is an Indian Army officer who served as a woman peacekeeper with the UN mission in Congo.
- She served as the Commander of MONUSCO's Engagement Platoon for the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion (INDRDB),
- She was honored with the prestigious military gender advocate award, by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
- Major Sen facilitated English classes for children, and health, gender and vocational training for displaced and marginalized adults.
- Her efforts directly inspired women's solidarity, providing safe spaces for meetings and open dialogue.
- As a gender advocate, she encouraged women in the village of Kashlira, near Rwindi town, to organise themselves to address issues collectively, advocate for their rights and amplify their voices within the community, in particular in local security and peace discussions.
About Military Gender Advocate Award, 2023:
- It was Created in 2016 by the Office of Military Affairs within the Department for Peace Operations (DPO).
- It recognizes a military peacekeeper who has best integrated a gender perspective into peacekeeping activities.
- Each year, the awardee is selected among candidates nominated by Force Commanders and Heads of Mission from all peace operations.
- In 2022 the award was given to Captain Cecilia Erzuah, a Ghanaian peacekeeper, whereas in 2021 it was granted to a Zimbabwean peacekeeper Major Winnet Zharare.
- Major Sen is the second Indian peacekeeper to receive this award after Major Suman Gawani, who had served with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and was honored with the 2019 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
