UN honours two peacekeeping officers for gender and policing excellence

The United Nations has recognised two outstanding contributors to peacekeeping operations, highlighting achievements in advancing gender equality and strengthening policing roles in field missions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the 2025 awards, which honour exemplary service in UN peacekeeping deployments around the world.

Major Abhilasha Barak of India, serving with UNIFIL, has been awarded the 2025 Military Gender Advocate Award. The recognition is given to military peacekeepers who have made a significant effort to integrate a gender perspective into peacekeeping work and promote the role of women in security operations.

The award highlights Barak’s contribution to strengthening gender-responsive approaches within peacekeeping environments, particularly in complex operational settings.

In a separate recognition, Inspector Stephanie Königs of Germany, serving with UNMISS, received the 2025 Woman Police Officer Award. The honour acknowledges her contribution to policing efforts within UN peacekeeping and her role in supporting community safety and institutional capacity-building.

The United Nations said the awards reflect its continued commitment to promoting gender equality and recognising the role of women in peacekeeping operations globally.