The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), launched ‘UNNATI – Powering Women in Gems & Jewellery’, a national mission to drive women in the sector learn, lead and grow as skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and future leaders. Beginning with its Gujarat chapter at Sardar Patel Smruti Bhavan, Surat, UNNATI seeks to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in the industry, in step with the national vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The programme saw participation from more than 1,100 women from across the gem and jewellery industry in Gujarat, including homemakers, students and other aspiring professionals. In its first phase, UNNATI aims to register at least 200 women for skilling across a range of courses, opening pathways to careers and entrepreneurship in the sector.

The programme showcased training opportunities across specialised job roles: Diamond Assorter, Diamond Polisher, Diamond Planner, Jewellery Designer – Hand Sketch, Jewellery Designer – CAD, Wax Setter, Filer and Assembler, Metal Setter, Jewellery Polisher and Cleaner, and Jewellery Retail Sales Associate.

The inaugural UNNATI Awards recognised companies and women contributing to a more inclusive and progressive gems and jewellery industry. The UNNATI Company Awards recognised excellence across five categories: Women Workforce Champion – House of Shah; Women Career Advancement – DEREWALA INDUSTRIES LTD; Women Skilling & Development – Greenlab Diamonds LLP; Women Work-Life Support – DESIGN CREATION; and Women Leadership Excellence – House of Shah.

The UNNATI Woman Achiever Awards recognised Nisha Jariwala for Woman Entrepreneur & Business Leader; Priti Bhatia and Neha Kochar for Woman Jewellery Designer; Rajvi Kotak and Anshu Singhania for Woman Retail Leader; Sorathiya Kajal Ramnikbhai for Woman Artisan Excellence; Misbah Mansuri for Woman Leader in Marketing & Business Development; and Tanvi Viradiya for Emerging Woman Leader of the Year.

Additionally, in a special moment, women from 50 companies, nominated by their employers for their skills in jewellery design and other areas of the industry, were presented with certificates of recognition, acknowledging their contribution and potential.

Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 places Nari Shakti at the heart of India’s journey towards a stronger and more developed nation. As an industry, we have set ourselves an ambitious goal of achieving US$100 billion in gem and jewellery exports by 2040, and we cannot achieve this without fully harnessing the talent, skills and leadership of women. UNNATI is a step in that direction—to move women from participation to leadership, from skills to careers, and from employment to entrepreneurship. When women grow, our industry grows; and when women lead, they can accelerate our collective journey towards US$100 billion by 2040.”

UNNATI rests on five pillars that take women from aspiration to achievement:

Inspire & Engage: recognising and celebrating women’s contribution to the industry

Develop & Empower: leadership, skills training and lifelong learning

Connect & Collaborate: mentors, peer networks and a community to grow with

Enable & Accelerate: support for business, access to funding and market opportunities

Transform & Lead: safer, more progressive workplaces for every woman in the industry

The launch was graced by the Ministers, industry stakeholders and senior representatives of GJEPC.

Courtesy : AOJ DESK NEWS