Indian Peacekeepers Highlighted in UNSC Debate on Women and Security
India placed the work of its peacekeepers at the centre of a United Nations Security Council debate on Women, Peace and Security, held in New York on October 29. Speaking at the session, India's Permanent Representative, Ambassador P. Harish, said that stronger participation of women in leadership and the armed forces is vital for lasting peace.
Two Indian officers serving in South Sudan with the UN Mission (UNMISS) were singled out for their initiatives. Major Moiz Yasin, an Indian Army officer who works as an ombudsperson and welfare officer, designed a complaints system that is easy to access, confidential and focused on the victim. He conducted more than 40 special sessions for personnel from various countries and set up a gender database to shape plans based on evidence.
Major Sonia Navaskar, who serves as a liaison officer for women in uniform and as a member of the mission's gender task force, built a network to share best practices among UN police and military units. According to Ambassador Harish, these steps have helped reinforce the WPS agenda in the field.
Ambassador Harish warned that policy statements alone cannot deliver results. Addressing the root causes of conflict and withdrawing support from those who benefit from its continuation, he said, are equally necessary.
India also backed gender quotas as a tool for increasing women's presence in politics and decision-making. It referred to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, as an important example of efforts to widen political representation for women.
The ambassador further pointed to the role of technology in peacebuilding. Tools such as early-warning systems, digital outreach to women and support services designed around the needs of violence survivors could make a real difference, he said. He also cited the Namo Drone Didi initiative, which trains women to operate drones for agricultural work and aims to raise farm output.
On armed forces reform, India described its move to grant permanent commissions to women officers and open all combat branches to them. These steps have created new opportunities for women in roles ranging from combat aviation pilots to military diplomats, and the number of Indian women serving as UN peacekeepers has risen.
India concluded that women should not only be represented in peace processes but also have equal opportunities to make decisions, lead and hold important positions in security institutions.