Vedanta Limited has announced a new organisational goal to increase women’s participation to 35% across its workforce, alongside the launch of #HerAtTheCore, a nationwide outreach and recruitment initiative encouraging women to pursue careers in mining, metals, oil and gas, power, and technology. The announcement coincides with International Women’s Day and highlights the need for greater gender representation in India’s core industries. Data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation indicates that women represented around 18% of direct employment across industries during 2023–24. In sectors such as mining and metals, female participation remains close to 6%.
The #HerAtTheCore campaign aims to draw attention to the growing demand for skilled professionals as India expands its industrial base. Industries such as metals, minerals, oil and gas, and power play a critical role in supporting the global energy transition, electric vehicle supply chains, and advanced manufacturing. The campaign highlights the need to widen participation in these sectors to support India’s long-term economic growth.
Currently, women make up approximately 23% of Vedanta’s workforce, significantly higher than the sector average. Through the campaign message “6% isn’t enough and 23% is just the beginning,” the company seeks to highlight the opportunity for broader participation in industries traditionally dominated by men.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, who also chairs Hindustan Zinc Limited, said the company aims to expand women’s participation further in the coming years while strengthening systems that enable long-term career growth.
A key aspect of the company’s approach involves the integration of advanced technologies into operations. Increasing use of automation, remote monitoring, and digital process control has transformed industrial environments, allowing engineers and technical specialists to manage complex operations through digital platforms.
Vedanta has also introduced several initiatives to expand opportunities for women in operational roles. These include women-led teams managing aluminium production lines at the company’s smelter in Jharsuguda, deployment of women engineers in underground mining operations, and participation of women in specialised roles across power generation and hydrocarbon processing.
The company has also implemented policies designed to support long-term career continuity, including return-to-work programmes following maternity leave, flexible work arrangements, leadership development initiatives, and community infrastructure that supports families in remote industrial locations. Through the #HerAtTheCore initiative, Vedanta is inviting women professionals from disciplines including engineering, geology, data science, and operations to explore career opportunities across its businesses.
