Who Is Major Swathi Shantha Kumar? Indian Army Officer Wins UN Award for Gender-Inclusive Peacekeeping

Mumbai, January 12: Major Swathi Shantha Kumar, an Indian Army officer currently serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has been honored with a prestigious United Nations award for her contributions to gender-inclusive peacekeeping. The Bengaluru-born officer received the recognition for her initiative, "Equal Partners, Lasting Peace," which focuses on integrating gender perspectives into military operations.

The recognition comes at a time when the UN is placing greater emphasis on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Major Swathi’s project addressed the unique security challenges faced by women and children in conflict zones, ensuring that peacekeeping efforts are not only effective but also equitable. By fostering direct engagement with local communities, her work has helped build trust and improve the safety of vulnerable populations in the volatile regions of South Sudan. Indian Army Set to Become World’s First to Deploy Ramjet-Powered 155 MM Artillery Shells.

Who Is Major Swathi Shantha Kumar?

Major Swathi Shantha Kumar is a dedicated officer of the Indian Army with roots in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Known for her analytical approach to military strategy and community engagement, she transitioned to the international stage as part of India’s peacekeeping contingent. Her peers describe her as a trailblazer who has consistently advocated for the inclusion of women in decision-making processes within the military framework. This latest accolade cements her reputation as a key figure in modern, gender-sensitive military operations.

Focus on Gender-Inclusive Peacekeeping

The core of Major Swathi’s work involved training peacekeepers to recognize gender-specific threats. In South Sudan, where internal displacement and communal violence often disproportionately affect women, her "Equal Partners, Lasting Peace" project provided a blueprint for more empathetic patrolling. Indian Army Social Media Guidelines: New Rules for WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Telegram and More Explained.

Her efforts ensured that female peacekeepers were at the forefront of community outreach. This strategy made it easier for local women to report grievances and security concerns that might otherwise have gone unheard in a male-dominated operational environment.

Beyond internal military training, the project focused on empowering local South Sudanese women to participate in peace dialogues. Major Swathi’s team conducted workshops and established "safe zones," allowing for a more inclusive approach to conflict resolution.

UN officials noted that these initiatives significantly reduced instances of gender-based violence in her area of responsibility. The project demonstrated that lasting peace is only possible when all segments of society are involved in the stabilisation process.

India remains one of the largest troop-contributing countries to United Nations missions worldwide. Major Swathi’s achievement follows a tradition of Indian officers receiving high honors for their service in complex environments like South Sudan, Congo, and Lebanon.

This award serves as a milestone for the Indian Army’s gender-focused initiatives. It reinforces the importance of deploying female officers in leadership roles to meet the evolving demands of 21st-century international security.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2026 10:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).