In 2016, like many engineering graduates in Bengaluru, Swathi Shantha Kumar faced a promising career crossroads. Fresh from New Horizon College of Engineering, where she studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering, she received a lucrative job offer from IBM. Instead of stepping into the corporate world, she made a bold choice: she rejected the offer and joined the Indian Army, becoming a first-generation officer commissioned into the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME).
Today, Major Swathi Shantha Kumar stands as a symbol of courage, dedication, and gender-inclusive leadership. She has been awarded the prestigious UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 in the Gender category for her outstanding contributions to peacekeeping. Announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the honour recognises her innovative project titled “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace”, which advanced gender-responsive peacekeeping and empowered women in conflict zones.
Major Swathi served with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), commanding India’s first all-women Female Engagement Team—a 20-member unit of Indian women soldiers. Deployed in Malakal (also referred to as Malakkal), a region marked by ongoing conflict and instability, her team broke new ground by engaging directly with local communities.
Her project focused on bridging critical gaps in communication and trust, particularly with women and children in rural and conflict-affected areas. By addressing issues such as gender-based violence, menstrual taboos, women’s participation in peace processes, and grassroots empowerment, the initiative fostered dialogue, built community confidence, and integrated women’s perspectives into peacekeeping operations. The team reached over 500 local women, creating spaces for trust and dialogue in a challenging environment.
The project was shortlisted from nominations across all UN peacekeeping missions and agencies worldwide. It emerged as the top winner in its category through a global voting process involving UN personnel, highlighting its impact on promoting gender parity and inclusive approaches in international missions.
Major Swathi has since completed her 18-month deployment and returned to serve in the Indian Army. Reflecting on her journey, she has shared a powerful message for young women: once in uniform, performance and integrity speak louder than anything else. She credits her success to the support of her team, battalion leadership, and the Indian Army’s guidance.
Her story resonates deeply on occasions like International Women’s Day, embodying “Nari Shakti” (women’s power) in service to the nation and the world. From turning down a high-paying tech job to leading groundbreaking efforts in one of the UN’s toughest missions, Major Swathi Shantha Kumar exemplifies how personal conviction and national service can lead to global acclaim. Her achievement not only brings pride to India but also inspires a new generation to pursue paths of purpose over convention. 🇮🇳
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