GJEPC Launches UNNATI for Women in Gems & Jewellery

SURAT: The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has launched UNNATI – Powering Women in Gems & Jewellery in Surat, opening a new platform for women to acquire industry skills, build careers, become entrepreneurs and move into leadership roles across the sector.

The initiative, launched on Monday, brought together more than 1,100 women, including industry professionals, homemakers and students. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi attended as Chief Guest, while Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakia was the Guest of Honour.

GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali said UNNATI was designed to connect women with opportunities across the gems and jewellery value chain.

“UNNATI has been conceived as a platform to connect women with skilling, industry opportunities, mentorship, entrepreneurship and leadership, enabling them to build sustainable careers across the gems and jewellery value chain,” Bhansali said.

As part of the initiative, GJEPC will provide free ₹1 lakh insurance through the Parichay Card to around 1,000 women working in the gems and jewellery industry. The insurance will provide financial support during medical emergencies.

Sanghavi said the industry had significant potential to create employment opportunities for women, particularly in tribal regions.

“There is a huge scope for women in the gems and jewellery industry,” he said, calling for the lab-grown diamond sector to expand from Surat towards tribal areas from Palsana to Songadh and for factories to be established there to tap the available women workforce.

Dholakia said the lab-grown diamond industry had strong growth prospects and encouraged women to consider careers in the sector.

In its first phase, UNNATI aims to enrol at least 200 women in specialised skilling programmes covering CAD jewellery design, diamond assorting and 4Cs grading, gemology, stone setting, luxury retail and jewellery quality control.

The initiative, supported by WICCI, will also feature the inaugural UNNATI Awards to recognise companies promoting women’s participation and celebrate women achievers across the gems and jewellery value chain.