India Calls for Greater Women's Role in Armed Forces & UN Peacekeeping

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Thursday, 29 October 2026

India has advocated for women in armed forces with the objective of ensuring their contribution towards securing women and girls in armed conflict situations. In the UN Security Council's open debate on the topic of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) on Wednesday, India's representative to the UN, P. Harish, highlighted the need to increase the involvement of women in the military.

He highlighted issues faced by women and girls living in conflict zones, citing reports by Pramila Patten, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Women and girls are often vulnerable in these areas, hence their safety becomes imperative.

Key Highlights:

• India calls for greater participation of women in armed forces and UN peacekeeping missions
• Indian Army officers develop initiatives to improve women’s safety and gender inclusion in UN missions
• India highlights women’s leadership and gender quotas as tools to advance peace and security

As per reports, there has been an increase sexual violence as a political tool in line with increasing conflict across the globe. Verifiable instances of conflict-related sexual violence have risen to more than double within one year.

There is an urgent need for increased women’ protection and their participation in peacekeeping missions. Speaking of India’s contribution, he mentioned efforts made by two Indian Army officers towards the security and wellbeing of women.

Mouiz Yaseen, Major and Force Ombudsperson/Welfare Officer at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), developed technological means of reporting grievances. Her contributions include training of peacekeepers, observers and creation of a force level gender database for decision making purposes through evidence-based operations.

Harish also mentioned Major Sonia Devendra Nevaskar whose efforts have contributed towards gender inclusivity in peacekeeping from India. Sonia Devendra created the Best Practice Network for UNPOL and military.

In addition, he pointed out how the Centre for UN Peacekeeping based in New Delhi gives special training programs for women peacekeepers. Harish further went on to describe India’s initiatives and involvement in increasing women in military forces. The country has been actively restructuring its defense forces to accommodate women, among permanent commissions and combat positions.

“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

According to Harish, women empowerment is critical and the solution to security, health care and education can only ensure peace after the cessation of conflict. Harish added, “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 also highlighted the significance of the political representation of women. As per him, through gender quotas for women in legislative processes, the representation of women can be increased in political positions.