Meet Major Radhika Sen: The Indian peacekeeper championing gender equality in UN Missions

Major Radhika Sen, born in Himachal Pradesh in 1993, is set to receive the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award on May 30, coinciding with the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. She is the second Indian peacekeeper to receive this award, after Major Suman Gawani, who was honored in 2019 for her service with the UN mission in South Sudan.

This prestigious award, established in 2016, recognizes the dedication of individual military peacekeepers in promoting gender equality across peacekeeping missions. It aligns with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security. The awardee is chosen from candidates nominated by force commanders and heads of missions from all peace operations, according to UN peacekeeping.



Sen joined the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) from March 2023 to April 2024. She served as the commander of MONUSCO’s engagement platoon for the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion (INDRDB), according to a UN press release.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his admiration for Sen, describing her as “a true leader and role model”. He added, “Her service was a true credit to the United Nations as a whole.”

Sen said the award is “special to her”. “This award is special to me as it gives recognition to the hard work put in by all peacekeepers working in the challenging environment of DRC, giving their best to bring a positive change in society,” news agency PTI quoted her as saying.

Before joining the Indian Army in 2017, Major Sen graduated as a biotech engineer and was pursuing her Master’s degree at IIT Bombay.

During her service in North Kivu amid escalating conflict, her troops actively engaged with conflict-affected communities, including women and girls. She earned their trust through humility, compassion, and dedication, ensuring the safety of all trapped in the conflict, including children and women.

India ranks as the 11th largest contributor of women military peacekeepers to the United Nations.

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.