For their efforts to advance gender equality in unpeacekeeping missions, Major Abhilasha Barak of India and Inspector Stephanie Königs of Germany are the latest recipients of the UN Military Gender Advocate and Woman Police Officer of the Year awards. From leading all-women patrols and helping women and girls access education, health and empowerment programmes in southern Lebanon, to protecting vulnerable communities in South Sudan, they are helping ensure women’s voices and leadership remain at the heart of UN peacekeeping. “You are a role model to those you serve and those you serve with,” said #UnitedNations Secretary-General antonioguterres as he presented the awards. “Dreams don’t have a gender,” said Major Abhilasha Barak — echoed by Inspector Stephanie Königs, who shared this message with her women colleagues: “We need you — and we need you in operational leadership positions.” Join us in congratulating these brave women #ServingForPeace! 📸: UN DPO/Marie-France Page