Major Swathi Shanthakumar: UN-Honored Trailblazer in Peacekeeping

Major Swathi Shanthakumar, an Indian Army officer, has been lauded by the UN for her innovative peacekeeping initiatives in South Sudan. Leading an all-women team, she overcame cultural barriers to empower women, ultimately winning the UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 for her impactful work.

Indian Army officer Major Swathi Shanthakumar has received recognition from the United Nations for her groundbreaking work in combatting gender-based violence in South Sudan's Malakal. Major Swathi, who led an all-women Military Engagement Team, emphasized that peacekeeping requires creativity and inclusion for genuine impact. Her team's efforts focused on trust-building, creating safer spaces, and addressing vital issues in the local community.

During her 18-month deployment as part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Major Swathi's work under the 'Equal Partners, Lasting Peace' initiative fostered communication between local women and peacekeepers. By distributing protection contact cards and establishing a WhatsApp group connecting village women leaders to peacekeepers, the team addressed issues such as conflict-related sexual violence and empowered women through self-empowerment camps offering skills training.

Major Swathi's approach has not only strengthened community bonds but also provided women economic independence and a voice in their families and villages. Her exceptional contribution was recognized with the UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 in the gender category, encouraging other peacekeepers to embrace inventive strategies to achieving lasting peace.