Vedanta Sets Ambitious Gender Inclusion Goal: Aims for 30% Women Workforce by 2030

In a significant move towards gender parity, Vedanta has unveiled its vision to boost the participation of women in its workforce to 30% by the year 2030. This bold initiative underscores the company’s determination to lead change in India’s male-dominated metals and mining sector.

Currently, women make up 21% of Vedanta’s total workforce, with an impressive 28% representation in leadership roles—well above the global average of 8% for leadership in this sector, as cited by the World Bank.

Madhu Srivastava, Chief Human Resources Officer at Vedanta, remarked, “The metals and mining industry has historically resisted gender diversity. We are determined to reshape that legacy. Inclusion must be foundational, not an afterthought. Our focus is not only on representation but also on enabling women to be key drivers of change.”

Vedanta’s approach to inclusion goes far beyond hiring quotas. The company is actively working to eliminate both societal and organizational barriers that hinder women’s advancement—especially for those balancing careers with family life. Support systems include hybrid working models, flexible scheduling, a 12-month maternity sabbatical, spouse-hiring opportunities, and integrated township facilities such as crèches, schools, hospitals, and recreational zones to support women at all life stages.

Real-world examples from Vedanta’s operations showcase the tangible outcomes of this commitment. At its aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda, Odisha—home to the world’s largest aluminium potline—operations are managed entirely by women, reflecting a deliberate strategy to put women at the core of innovation and operational excellence.

Dr. Kavita Bhardwaj, Deputy CEO of Hindmetal Exploration, exemplifies this progress. She leads critical mineral exploration in India while successfully balancing her professional and personal roles, attributing her success to Vedanta’s supportive and empowering environment.

Further illustrating its inclusive ethos, Vedanta has trained all-women underground mine rescue squads at Rajpura Dariba and Rampura Agucha, equipping them with skills in CPR, fire response, and SCBA operations. Additionally, the company’s all-women security force, Durga Vahini, comprised of recruits from rural Rajasthan, now safeguards 38 oil fields—marking a groundbreaking advancement in both industrial safety and rural women’s empowerment.

With this initiative, Vedanta is not only transforming its own culture but also setting a new benchmark for gender diversity in heavy industries across India.

Source: Economic Times