Indian Army officer from Bengaluru wins UN Secretary General’s Award 2025
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· International institutions & agencies (UN, WTO, IMF...)· Prelims·
Why in news
Major Swathi Shantha Kumar of the Indian Army won the UN Secretary General’s Award 2025 for her 'Equal Partners, Lasting Peace' project during a UN mission in South Sudan.
Background
The award recognizes initiatives advancing gender parity and gender-responsive peacekeeping. Major Kumar's project involved the Indian Engagement team to enhance security for over 5,000 women in South Sudan.
Facts for Prelims
- PostMajor Swathi Shantha Kumar: Indian Army officer from Bengaluru
- BodyUNMISS: United Nations Mission in South Sudan
- FactThe project provided security and grassroots engagement for over 5,000 women
- BodyUN Secretary General’s Award: Recognizes initiatives for gender parity and gender-responsive peacekeeping
For Mains
Q. Discuss the significance of gender-responsive peacekeeping in UN missions and how it enhances the efficacy of international security operations.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Operational efficacy: Enhanced grassroots engagement through gender-inclusive security protocols
- Diplomatic soft power: India's role in promoting gender parity within multilateral peacekeeping frameworks
Keywords: Gender-responsive peacekeeping · Multilateralism · Gender parity · Peacekeeping operations · Soft power
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