India has said that increasing the representation of women in the armed forces can strengthen the protection of women and girls affected by armed conflicts and advance the United Nations’ Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, made the remarks during an open debate of the UN Security Council on Wednesday (local time). He stressed that women and girls face disproportionate risks during conflicts and called for greater representation of women in military roles.
Citing reports by the UN Secretary-General and the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Harish highlighted the scale of the challenges facing women in conflict-affected regions.
He referred to a report by Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, which warned that “sexual violence has become a political weapon in a world increasingly marred by conflicts”.
Harish also cited a report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stating that 750 million women and girls live within 50 kilometres of conflict zones. He added that verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence had more than doubled in a year.
India highlights role of women peacekeepers
Harish cited the work of two Indian Army majors serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as examples of how women peacekeepers can strengthen protection mechanisms and improve security for women, both civilians and personnel serving in peacekeeping missions.
Major Mouiz Yaseen, who serves as the force ombudsperson and welfare officer with UNMISS, established an accessible and confidential channel for informal grievance reporting using technology.
According to Harish, the initiative was designed to provide a victim-centred mechanism for reporting concerns. Yaseen also trained peacekeepers and observers and established a force gender database to support evidence-based, gender-responsive planning.
Yaseen received the UN’s 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award in recognition of her work.
Indian Army officers cited for work with UNMISS
Harish also highlighted the contributions of Major Sonia Devendra Nevaskar, who served as a focal point for uniformed women and was a member of the UNMISS Gender Task Force.
Nevaskar helped establish the United Nations Police (UNPOL) and military best-practice networks to strengthen the implementation of the WPS agenda, Harish said.
He also referred to training initiatives conducted by the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in New Delhi, which regularly organises training sessions for female peacekeepers.
India highlights changes in armed forces
Harish said India had restructured its armed forces to expand opportunities for women. He pointed to the grant of permanent commissions to women officers and their induction into combat-related streams.
“This commitment has opened doors for women, from fighter pilots to military diplomats, and has increased the number of Indian women serving as UN peacekeepers”, he said.
He emphasised that women’s participation can help peacekeeping forces understand local concerns and build trust with communities affected by conflict.
“Women understand local grievances, build common ground and set priorities that go beyond ending conflict to include safety, health, education and other factors of development”, he said.
Harish added that empowering women was essential to achieving lasting peace and addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to instability.
“Women’s “empowerment is therefore the clearest path towards sustainable solutions”, he said, emphasising the importance of women’s roles.
India cites importance of political representation
Harish also highlighted the importance of women’s representation in political leadership and decision-making, referring to the UN Secretary-General’s report on the WPS agenda.
He said gender quotas could help increase women’s participation in public institutions and decision-making processes.
“We attest to its potency”, he said, referring to India’s experience with gender quotas and the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023.
(With inputs from IANS)
India at UN: More women in armed forces can protect females in conflict zones
