Bokaro: In a strong push for gender diversity in heavy industries, Vedanta Ltd. has announced an ambitious target to raise women’s representation in its workforce to 35 percent, unveiling the nationwide #HerAtTheCore campaign on the eve of International Women’s Day. The initiative aims to bring more women into traditionally male-dominated sectors such as mining, metals, oil and gas, power, and technology—signalling a major shift in India’s core industrial landscape.
The campaign seeks to encourage women professionals to step into traditionally male-dominated sectors such as mining, metals, oil and gas, power, and emerging technologies. Industry data shows women make up only about 18 percent of India’s direct industrial workforce, with participation dropping to around 6 percent in core sectors.
Currently, women account for nearly 23 percent of Vedanta’s employees, already higher than the industry average. The company now plans to push this figure to 35 percent in the coming years, while keeping a long-term goal of achieving 50 percent gender representation.
Highlighting the importance of inclusive growth, Priya Agarwal Hebbar said India’s development depends on tapping the full potential of its workforce. She noted that Vedanta is working to strengthen institutional support, technology-driven operations and workplace systems that help women build long-term careers in core industries.
The company is also investing in automation, digital tools and modern safety systems to create workplaces where skills and performance—not gender—define opportunities.
In recent years, Vedanta has introduced several steps to increase women’s presence in operations. These include all-women teams running aluminium production units, female engineers working in underground mines, and women professionals managing power plant and safety operations.
Employee-friendly policies such as returnship programmes after maternity breaks, flexible working arrangements, spouse employment support in remote locations, and leadership training initiatives are also part of the company’s strategy to retain and promote women talent.
Ravish Sharma, Deputy CEO and Whole-Time Director of ESL Steel Limited, said creating a workplace where women can grow and contribute equally is key to building a strong and future-ready organisation.
Through the #HerAtTheCore campaign, Vedanta is inviting women engineers, geologists, data scientists and other professionals to explore career opportunities across its operations, underlining the growing role of women in shaping the country’s industrial future.
