GJEPC Launches UNNATI Mission to Expand Women’s Participation in Gems and Jewellery
National initiative begins in Surat with skilling programmes, healthcare support and recognition for women professionals and companies
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has launched UNNATI – Powering Women in Gems & Jewellery, a national mission aimed at increasing women’s participation, skills development and leadership across the gems and jewellery value chain.
The Gujarat chapter of the initiative was launched at Sardar Patel Smruti Bhavan, Surat, on October 6, 2026. The launch was attended by Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, and Shri Govind Dholakia, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, along with GJEPC representatives and industry stakeholders.
The programme attracted more than 1,100 women from the gems and jewellery industry, including homemakers, students and aspiring professionals. In its first phase, UNNATI aims to register at least 200 women for skill-development courses.
Focus on Women’s Skills and Leadership
GJEPC said UNNATI is designed to support women as skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and future leaders across the industry, from workshop-level roles to management and business leadership.
The initiative is aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and GJEPC’s industry target of achieving US$100 billion in gem and jewellery exports by 2040.
The programme is built around five pillars:
- Inspire & Engage: Recognising and celebrating women’s contribution to the industry.
- Develop & Empower: Providing leadership development, skills training and lifelong learning.
- Connect & Collaborate: Building mentoring opportunities, peer networks and industry communities.
- Enable & Accelerate: Supporting businesses through access to funding and market opportunities.
- Transform & Lead: Promoting safer and more progressive workplaces.
Training Across Jewellery Industry Roles
UNNATI showcased training opportunities across a range of specialised roles, including:
- Diamond Assorter
- Diamond Polisher
- Diamond Planner
- Jewellery Designer – Hand Sketch
- Jewellery Designer – CAD
- Wax Setter
- Filer and Assembler
- Metal Setter
- Jewellery Polisher and Cleaner
- Jewellery Retail Sales Associate
The initiative is intended to create pathways for women to enter the sector, develop technical skills and pursue careers or entrepreneurship opportunities.
Medical Insurance for Women Ratnakalars
GJEPC 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, enabling them to access treatment at leading hospitals.
The initiative is intended to recognise the contribution of women artisans and provide additional health-security support.
UNNATI Awards Recognise Companies and Women Professionals
The inaugural UNNATI Awards recognised companies and women for their contribution to a more inclusive gems and jewellery industry.
The UNNATI Company Awards were presented in 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 recognised:
- Woman Entrepreneur & Business Leader: Nisha Jariwala
- Woman Jewellery Designer: Priti Bhatia and Neha Kochar
- Woman Retail Leader: Rajvi Kotak and Anshu Singhania
- Woman Artisan Excellence: Sorathiya Kajal Ramnikbhai
- Woman Leader in Marketing & Business Development: Misbah Mansuri
- Emerging Woman Leader of the Year: Tanvi Viradiya
Women nominated by their employers from 50 companies were also presented certificates recognising their skills in jewellery design and other areas of the industry.
Industry Representatives Call for Wider Participation
Speaking at the launch, Shri Harsh Sanghavi, 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.”
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.”
Shri Jayantibhai Savaliya, Regional Chairman – Gujarat, GJEPC, said:
“Gujarat has been at the heart of India’s gem and jewellery story, and the strength of this industry has always come from its people, their skills and their enterprise. Today, women are contributing across the entire value chain—from manufacturing and design to technology, management, business and entrepreneurship. Through UNNATI, our aim is to create stronger pathways for women to learn, upskill, connect with the industry and build successful careers. This is not just about bringing more women into the industry; it is about creating opportunities for them to grow, take leadership and shape the industry’s future. We want the Surat chapter to be the beginning of a much larger movement that reaches women across every major gem and jewellery cluster in India.”
Shri Ashish Borda, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC, said:
“UNNATI is about turning intent into opportunity—connecting women with the skills, networks and pathways they need to build their futures in our industry. What we have begun today in Gujarat is a platform we hope will grow across India, creating a stronger and more inclusive gems and jewellery ecosystem. When women progress, the industry moves forward with them.”
UNNATI Planned for Wider Industry Reach
The Surat launch is the first phase of the initiative. GJEPC plans to take UNNATI to major gems and jewellery clusters across India and develop a wider support ecosystem for women in the sector.
UNNATI is organised by GJEPC with support from Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WICCI), Surat Jewellery Manufacturers Association (SJMA), the Lab Grown Diamond Association, the Surat Jewellery Association and the Surat Diamond Industry.
AF Ferrari and Shivam Jewels are Co-Partners, while Nityas Gems & Jewellery, Sky Gold, PGI, Golden Carat, Beau Jewels and Anand Shah are Supported By Partners. The Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) is the Knowledge Partner.
Women interested in UNNATI’s training programmes and mentor network can register through unnati.gjepc.org.