'Gender-sensitive Peacekeeping Is Everyone's Business': Major Radhika Sen's Viral Speech After Prestigious UN Award | Watch

Major Radhika Sen, an Indian woman peacekeeper who served with the UN mission in Congo, on Thursday received the prestigious military gender advocate award. She is the second Indian peacekeeper to receive this award after Major Suman Gawani, who had served with the UN Mission in South Sudan.

In her speech, which has gone viral and is being hailed by social media audiences across the world, Sen emphasised the significance of Gender-sensitive peacekeeping and the role of diversity in true peacekeeping.

Gender-sensitive peacekeeping is everybody’s business – not just us, women. Peace begins with all of us in our beautiful diversity!” Sen said.

“We had the opportunity to engage with the communities on topics ranging from women’s health and education, childcare, gender equality and combating sexual violence in conflicts. A gender perspective in US peacekeeping is essential for an effective, exclusive and sustainable peace process,” Sen added.

Post her speech, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described her as a “true leader and role model. He further said in a statement that in an escalating conflict environment in North Kivu, her troops actively engaged with conflict-affected communities, including women and girls. She earned their trust, doing so with humility, compassion, and dedication.

Who is Major Radhika Sen?

Major Sen, who served with the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), received the ‘2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award’ from Guterres on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

A biotech engineer, Sen joined the Indian Army eight years ago when she was pursuing her Master’s degree from IIT Bombay.

She was deployed to MONUSCO in March 2023 as the Engagement Platoon Commander with the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion and completed her tenure in April 2024.

As a Platoon Commander, she helped foster a safe space for men and women to operate together under her command and quickly became a role model for both women peacekeepers and her male counterparts.

She also ensured that peacekeepers under her command engaged in a manner that was sensitive to gender and socio-cultural norms in eastern DRC to help build trust and thereby increase her team’s chance of success.

Major Sen facilitated English classes for children, and health, gender and vocational training for displaced and marginalised adults. Her efforts directly inspired women’s solidarity, providing safe spaces for meetings and open dialogue.

‘Nari Shakti’: India Hails Major Radhika Sen’s Achievements

Soon after Sen received the prestigious honour, the Indian Army congratulated Major Sen on her remarkable feat and said that she embodies the ethos of commitment and compassion of the Indian Peacekeepers around the world.

“Indian Army congratulates Major Radhika Sen on being conferred with the ‘UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year’ Award by Mr António Guteress, Secretary-General of the United Nations for her outstanding service in the Democratic Republic of the #Congo. Her dedication & courage highlight the invaluable role of Women Peacekeepers in contributing towards a better world. She truly embodies the ethos of commitment and compassion of the Indian Peacekeepers around the world,” the Army stated.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar also extended greetings to Majr Radhika and hailed her efforts in advancing gender equality.

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