Indian Army Officer Major Swathi Honoured with UN Secretary-General's Award 2025

Gender-Inclusive Peacekeeping: Major Swathi's UNMISS Initiative Wins Global Acclaim

An Indian Army officer serving with a United Nations peacekeeping mission has been globally honoured for her exceptional contributions to advancing gender-inclusive operations. Major Swathi Shantha Kumar has been conferred the prestigious United Nations Secretary-General’s Award 2025 in recognition of her pioneering leadership and tangible impact in promoting gender parity and community engagement within a conflict zone.

UN Recognition for Peacekeeping Excellence
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the award as part of the annual Secretary-General’s Awards. Major Swathi’s initiative, “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace,” was lauded for effectively translating UN mandates on women, peace, and security into practical, field-level actions. Her project was selected from a competitive pool of nominations spanning all UN peacekeeping missions and agencies worldwide.

Role Within UN Mission in South Sudan
Major Swathi, an Indian Army officer from Bengaluru, is presently deployed with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Demonstrating exemplary leadership, she was instrumental in the deployment and operational integration of the Indian Engagement Team. Her efforts were focused on enhancing gender-responsive practices and deepening the mission’s grassroots connection within its area of responsibility.

Operational Impact and Community Outreach
Under her command, the team executed extensive outreach through long and short-range patrols, integrated riverine movements, and air patrols to inaccessible counties. These sustained operations helped foster a secure environment for over 5,000 women, encouraging their participation in community dialogues and local governance. The initiative played a crucial role in building trust and strengthening the bond between UN peacekeepers and local populations in South Sudan’s volatile regions.

Model for Future Peacekeeping Missions
The United Nations highlighted that the dedicated work of Major Swathi and her team establishes a replicable model for future peacekeeping deployments. Her accomplishments underscore how intentional, gender-inclusive leadership can significantly boost operational effectiveness, forge stronger community relations, and underpin sustainable peace in post-conflict societies.

Exam-Focused Points:

• Major Swathi Shantha Kumar received the  UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 .

• She is deployed with the  United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) .

• The award recognises her work in  gender-inclusive peacekeeping  and community engagement.

• India  is consistently among the  top contributors of troops  to UN peacekeeping missions globally.

• Her initiative,  “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace,”  focused on women’s participation and protection.