Indian Army Major Swathi Shantha Kumar Wins UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025

Indian Army officer Major Swathi Shantha Kumar has brought international recognition to India by winning the UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 for gender-inclusive peacekeeping. Serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, her work highlights how inclusive leadership can improve community trust, women’s participation, and long-term peace in conflict-affected regions.

Why in News?

Major Swathi Shantha Kumar has been awarded the UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 in the Gender Category for her project “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace”, selected from nominations across all UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.

Context of the Award

The award was announced by Antonio Guterres, recognizing initiatives that promote gender parity and gender-responsive peacekeeping. Major Swathi’s project emerged as the top choice through a UN-wide voting process involving personnel from different missions.

About the Project: “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace”

Major Swathi led the Indian Engagement Team under United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Her leadership ensured better deployment and integration of women peacekeepers, enabling effective patrols, community outreach, and safer access to remote conflict-affected areas.

Significance of the Initiative

The project directly supported over 5,000 women, creating a safer environment for their participation in community activities. It strengthened grassroots level trust, improved local confidence in UN missions, and demonstrated how gender-inclusive leadership can contribute to lasting peace and stability.

Question

Q. Major Swathi Shantha Kumar received the UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 for her work in which mission?

A. UNIFIL
B. UNMISS
C. MONUSCO
D. UNAMID