Major Radhika Sen of the Indian Army has been awarded the prestigious United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for 2023. This award recognizes her outstanding contributions to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Major Sen was deployed to MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from March 2023 to April 2024, where she served as the Engagement Team Commander of the Indian Rapidly Deployed Battalion. Leading a team of 20 women soldiers and 10 male soldiers, she focused on interacting with civilians, addressing security concerns of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and advocating for the voices of women, girls, and children in conflict zones.
Under her leadership, the engagement teams conducted educational sessions on important topics like women’s health, education, childcare, gender equality, and employment. These initiatives, along with skill development programs, enhanced self-reliance among local populations, built trust, and facilitated effective information gathering.
On receiving the award, Major Sen expressed deep gratitude to her dedicated engagement platoon and her second-in-command, Major Saumya Singh. She also thanked the Indian Army for the opportunity to serve in the DRC and her parents for their unwavering support and encouragement.
Major Sen’s work has had a significant impact on the local communities in the DRC and set a high standard for future peacekeeping missions. Her achievements exemplify the values of service, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to building peaceful and inclusive societies.
Major Radhika Sen hails from Sunder Nagar in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Both her parents were state government employees and are now retired. Her younger sister is pursuing an MD in Anaesthesia. Major Sen completed her high school studies in Sunder Nagar and moved to Chandigarh for higher education.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Biotechnology and was pursuing her M.Tech from IIT Mumbai before joining the Indian Army.
Commissioned into the Indian Army on September 10, 2016, Major Sen joined the Army Service Corps. She has served in challenging conditions in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and North Sikkim.
The Indian Army and the nation celebrate Major Radhika Sen for her remarkable achievements and her unwavering dedication to advancing global peace and gender equality.