Archive · 12 Jan 2026
Indian Army Officer Honored by UN for Gender-Inclusive Peacekeeping
Major Swathi Shantha Kumar is an Indian Army officer who won a big award from the United Nations.
She was honored for her work in South Sudan, where she helped make peacekeeping efforts more inclusive for women.
Her project, called 'Equal Partners, Lasting Peace,' made it easier for women to participate in their communities and feel safer.
She led a team that did patrols and other activities to build trust in conflict areas.
The UN said her work is a great example for future peacekeeping missions.
Major Swathi's parents say she always wanted to serve in the Army, and now she is an inspiration to many.
Major Swathi Shantha Kumar received the UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 for her gender-inclusive peacekeeping project.
Her project, 'Equal Partners, Lasting Peace,' was recognized for promoting gender parity in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The award was chosen through a UN-wide voting process, with her project securing the highest number of votes in the Gender Category.
Major Swathi led the Indian Engagement Team, improving grassroots-level engagement and creating a safer environment for over 5,000 women.
Her team conducted various patrols and operations, building trust and confidence in conflict-affected regions of South Sudan.
- Who
- Major Swathi Shantha Kumar, an Indian Army officer
- What
- Received the UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 for gender-inclusive peacekeeping
- When
- Award announced for 2025
- Where
- South Sudan, serving with UNMISS
- Why
- For her project 'Equal Partners, Lasting Peace' promoting gender parity in peacekeeping
- Award
- UN Secretary-General's Award 2025
- Recipient
- Major Swathi Shantha Kumar
- Project Name
- Equal Partners, Lasting Peace
- Location
- South Sudan
- Mission
- UNMISS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan)
- Category
- Gender
- Impact
- Safer environment for 5,000+ women
- Role
- Indian Engagement Team Leader