New Delhi: India has strongly condemned the use of sexual violence in armed conflicts, describing it as a weapon of war, terrorism, torture and political repression that inflicts immense suffering on civilians and suppresses entire communities.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Conflict Related Sexual Violence, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, called for stronger international cooperation to combat the growing threat. Referring to the UN Secretary General’s latest report, he noted a significant rise in verified cases of conflict related sexual violence during 2025 and warned that such crimes continue to thrive in an atmosphere of impunity.
Harish said sexual violence is increasingly being used to terrorise populations, silence dissent and exert control over vulnerable communities. He stressed that India unequivocally condemns such acts and called for collective efforts to ensure accountability and justice for survivors.
Highlighting India’s contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations, Harish said women peacekeepers have played a crucial role in preventing sexual and gender based violence during conflicts. He pointed to India’s deployment of the UN’s first all women Formed Police Unit to Liberia in 2007, describing it as a landmark initiative that helped improve public safety, deter violence and restore confidence among local communities.
He added that women peacekeepers bring valuable perspectives that strengthen protection mechanisms, improve engagement with affected communities and enhance efforts to prevent conflict related sexual violence.
Harish also announced that Indian peacekeepers Major Moiz Yassin and Major Sonia Devendra Navaskar will receive the 2026 UN Secretary General’s Military Gender Advocate of the Year Recognition Certificate for their outstanding contributions.
Major Moiz Yassin established a confidential and victim centred grievance reporting mechanism while conducting extensive gender awareness programmes for peacekeeping personnel. Major Sonia Devendra Navaskar played a key role in intelligence gathering, operational planning and building cooperation between UN military and police units to strengthen responses to gender related issues.
The Indian envoy noted that the recognition continues India’s strong record in UN peacekeeping, with Indian personnel having received similar honours in 2019, 2024 and 2025 for advancing gender equality and protecting vulnerable communities during peacekeeping missions.
