Indian Army Officer Major Suman Gawani has been selected for the prestigious United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award (2019). Along with Major Suman Gawani, Brazilian Naval Officer Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo will also receive the award. United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres described both as “powerful role models.”
Major Gawan is woman peacekeeper, who has served with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Both the lady officers will receive will receive the award during an online ceremony presided over by Guterres on May 29, which also happens to be the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Major Vikas Shukla Creates History by Climbing Three Highest Peaks of South America – ‘The Triple Crown’.
Tweet by The United Nations:
#Indian🇮🇳 peacekeeper — Suman Gawani — to be honoured with the @UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award during an online ceremony presided over by 🇺🇳 Secretary-General @antonioguterres on 29 May – International Day of UN Peacekeepers: https://t.co/hjdQQxChdW pic.twitter.com/528yC0aHH6
— United Nations in India (@UNinIndia) May 26, 2020
The Indian Army officer has recently completed an assignment in South Sudan. the UN said on Tuesday said, “Major Gawani helped to create enabling environment for UN Peacekeepers” by combating sexual violence in conflict situations.” She also mentored over 230 UN Military Observers on conflict-related sexual violence.
During het tenure as the peacekeeper, she ensured the presence of women military observers in each of the Mission’s team sites. The United Nations said that Major Gawani also trained South Sudanese government forces and helped them to launch their action plan on conflict-related sexual violence. Guterres termed both, Major Gawani and Araujo as powerful role models. Major Gawani is part of Indian Army’s Signal Corps.
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