GJEPC Launches UNNATI in Gujarat
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has launched UNNATI – Powering Women in Gems & Jewellery, a national mission focused on strengthening women’s participation and leadership across the gem and jewellery value chain.
The Gujarat chapter began at Sardar Patel Smruti Bhavan, Surat, with Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, and Shri Govind Dholakia, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, attending the launch. Senior GJEPC representatives and industry stakeholders also joined the event.
The initiative aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. It also supports GJEPC’s ambition of achieving US$100 billion in gem and jewellery exports by 2040.
More Than 1,100 Women Join the Launch
More than 1,100 women from Gujarat’s gem and jewellery industry participated in the launch. The group included industry professionals, homemakers, students and aspiring professionals.
In its first phase, UNNATI aims to register at least 200 women for skilling programmes. The courses will create pathways to careers and entrepreneurship across the sector.
The programme aims to support women at every level, from the workshop floor to the boardroom. GJEPC has positioned UNNATI as an investment in the industry’s future skills, leadership and competitiveness.
Leaders Highlight Women’s Role in Industry Growth
Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, said:
“Unnati is an important initiative that is creating meaningful opportunities for women in the gem and jewellery industry. Today, more than 1,000 women are being connected with employment and business opportunities, but the potential is far greater. We should look at taking these opportunities beyond Surat and into Gujarat’s rural and tribal areas, where greater participation by women can create a strong social and economic impact for their families and communities. I urge GJEPC to develop more initiatives that bring women into the industry and expand their participation across Gujarat. Unnati should not stop at 1,000 or 2,000 women. We should work towards reaching 10,000 women in the coming year. The women who have achieved success should also become role models for others, helping more women gain confidence, build careers and realise their ambitions.”
Shri Govind Dholakia, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, said:
“UNNATI gives us the platform and the direction, but the real work begins with us. We must take this opportunity and create our own growth. I encourage young entrepreneurs, especially women, to have the confidence to step forward, take risks and build something of their own. There is tremendous opportunity in the gem and jewellery sector, and we need more women not only to participate in the industry, but to lead businesses, create employment and contribute to society. That is the kind of leadership and inclusive growth we need for the future.”
UNNATI Supports GJEPC’s Export Vision
Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said:
“Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri 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.”
GJEPC has also announced a healthcare initiative for women Ratnakalars under its Ratnakalar Parichay Card programme.
In the first phase, 1,000 women Ratnakalars will receive Parichay Cards along with free medical insurance coverage of up to ₹1 lakh. The coverage will provide access to treatment at leading hospitals.
Five Pillars Guide the UNNATI Programme
UNNATI rests on five pillars that aim to support women from initial engagement through leadership:
- Inspire & Engage: Recognising and celebrating women’s contribution.
- Develop & Empower: Providing leadership, skills training and lifelong learning.
- Connect & Collaborate: Building mentoring, peer networks and communities.
- Enable & Accelerate: Supporting businesses and access to funding and markets.
- Transform & Lead: Promoting safer and more progressive workplaces.
The launch also highlighted training opportunities across specialised roles, including Diamond Assorter, Diamond Polisher, Diamond Planner, Jewellery Designer, CAD Jewellery Designer, Wax Setter, Filer and Assembler, Metal Setter, Jewellery Polisher and Cleaner, and Jewellery Retail Sales Associate.
UNNATI Awards Recognise Companies and Women
The inaugural UNNATI Awards recognised companies supporting greater inclusion and opportunities for women.
The Company Awards covered 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
- Women Leadership Excellence: House of Shah
The UNNATI Woman Achiever Awards also recognised women across entrepreneurship, jewellery design, retail, artisan work, marketing and leadership.
In addition, women from 50 companies received certificates recognising their skills and contributions to jewellery design and other areas of the industry.
GJEPC Plans to Expand UNNATI Across India
GJEPC organises UNNATI with support from industry and institutional partners, including WICCI, Surat Jewellery Manufacturers Association, the Lab Grown Diamond Association, the Surat Jewellery Association and the Surat Diamond Industry. The Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India serves as the Knowledge Partner.
The Surat launch marks the beginning of a wider national programme. GJEPC plans to take UNNATI to major gem and jewellery clusters across India.
Women interested in the training programmes and UNNATI mentor network can register at unnati.gjepc.org.
