General Awareness

GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION - October 2019

Oct 2019

May 25, 2026

Major Abhilasha Barak’s Lebanon service highlighted

During her UNIFIL deployment in Lebanon, Major Abhilasha Barak led outreach and community engagement activities, particularly focused on women and adolescent girls. She conducted gender-sensitisation training for peacekeepers and local stakeholders, contributing to community resilience and gender awareness in the mission. Her work illustrates the role of women in peacekeeping operations and supports the broader WPS agenda promoted by UN missions.

Lebanon UNIFIL deployment
Led outreach to women and girls
Conducted gender-sensitisation training
Contributed to WPS objectives in peacekeeping

UN honours Major Abhilasha Barak with Gender Advocate Award

Indian Army officer Major Abhilasha Barak was named United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year for 2025 during 22–23 May 2026 sessions. Serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon as Commander of the Female Engagement Team, she led gender-sensitisation training and community outreach. The UN award, instituted in 2016, recognises military personnel advancing Women, Peace and Security (WPS) goals. Barak’s work aligns with UNSCR 1325 on women’s participation in peace processes and protection of women and girls in conflict zones. Her leadership highlights India’s contribution to gender-inclusive peacekeeping missions.

UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2025
Major Abhilasha Barak, UNIFIL Lebanon role
Led gender sensitisation training for peacekeepers
Award linked to UNSCR 1325 and WPS

May 18, 2026

Delhi announces collateral-free loans for women-led startups up to ₹10 crore

The Delhi government announced collateral-free loans up to ₹10 crore for women self-help groups and women-led startups on 17 May 2026, with the government acting as guarantor. The policy was unveiled at the Mega Self Help Group Mela-2026 in northwest Delhi and aims to widen institutional credit access for women entrepreneurs. Eligible enterprises span handicrafts, food processing, home-based manufacturing, khadi products, fashion, small-scale retail, and digital businesses. The scheme seeks to bolster women’s livelihoods and micro-enterprise growth by simplifying access to formal credit, expanding market opportunities and strengthening financial inclusion for women-led enterprises.

Policy announced on 17 May 2026; collateral-free loans up to ₹10 crore.
Delhi government acts as guarantor for loans to women SHGs/startups.
Event: Mega SHG Mela-2026 in Rohini; 24 SHGs participated.
Sectors covered include handicrafts, food processing, khadi, fashion, and digital services.
Aim: enhance access to formal credit and women-led enterprise growth.

May 12, 2026

Tamil Nadu forms Singappen Special Task Force for women’s safety

Tamil Nadu announced the Singappen Special Task Force on 11 May 2026 to enhance women’s safety. The unit operates under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who took office on 10 May 2026. The task force has 36 sanctioned posts and is led by an Inspector General of Police, with officers and staff at various ranks. Its mandate is to identify vulnerable and crime-prone areas, conduct surveillance, and deploy personnel in places frequently visited by women, such as bus stands, railway stations, and educational institutions. The force will handle complaints and coordinate rescue and awareness initiatives with government departments and NGOs.

Singappen Task Force formed on 11 May 2026 in Tamil Nadu.
36 sanctioned posts; led by an Inspector General of Police.
Focus on women’s safety and preventive protection.
Operations include surveillance near bus stands and stations.
Will coordinate with departments and NGOs for awareness.

May 11, 2026

Delhi launches Aftercare Scheme for Young Persons

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Aftercare Scheme for Young Persons on 10 May 2026. The Delhi government has allocated Rs 3.5 crore for the 2026-27 financial year. The scheme applies to young persons leaving childcare institutions and orphanages after attaining 18 years. It functions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and will be implemented by the Women and Child Development Department. Eligible beneficiaries receive support for higher education, skill development, vocational training, internships, and employment opportunities, plus a monthly stipend, mentoring, counselling, career guidance, and rehabilitation. A State Aftercare Committee will oversee policy-making, with district committees; Delhi has 88 Child Care Institutions and two aftercare homes.

Scheme targets 18+ youths leaving childcare facilities.
Implementation under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 by WCD Department.
Budget for 2026-27: Rs 3.5 crore; 88 institutions and two aftercare homes.
Benefits include education, skills, internships, stipends, mentoring, and career guidance.

May 09, 2026

World Thalassemia Day 2026 highlights undiagnosed cases

World Thalassemia Day 2026 is observed on 8 May to raise awareness about this inherited blood disorder, with a focus on prevention, early detection, and quality care. The theme is 'Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen.' The day underlines the burden borne by carriers and patients who are often invisible to the healthcare system until a crisis occurs. Campaigns emphasize screening, genetic counseling, accessible treatment, and psychosocial support. Health authorities, NGOs, and communities coordinate awareness programs, newborn screening, and education for families to reduce severe disease and improve outcomes for those living with thalassemia.

Observation date: 8 May 2026
Theme: Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen.
Focus: Early detection, prevention, and quality care
Target groups: Carriers and patients
Activities: Screening, counseling, awareness campaigns
Goal: Improve access to diagnosis and treatment

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