The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
NEW DELHI, MAR 12, 2024
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, marked International Women’s Day this year with a series of impactful initiatives aimed at reaffirming its commitment to fostering an inclusive future and expanding opportunities for women. With a focus on accelerating efforts to increase female representation, the company aims to achieve a third of all employees being women in the near future.
As part of its celebrations, Vedanta Aluminium launched the pioneering campaign #TheFutureOfMetAL, utilizing generative AI videos and captivating short films to challenge entrenched perceptions of the metals, mining, and modern manufacturing industries as male-dominated. By showcasing determined women professionals excelling within these sectors as inspiring role models, the campaign aims to encourage more women to explore and pursue rewarding careers in these fields.
John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized the importance of diversity in building resilient organizations for the long term. “The diversity of skills and perspectives arising from the increased participation of women builds organisations that stay resilient in the long-term. Vedanta Aluminium is therefore committed to developing an equitable environment that fosters diverse and inclusive teams. As India’s largest aluminium producer, we are building a culture that rewards drive and diligence over all other considerations, in our continuous pursuit of greater innovation and business excellence,” he said.
Throughout the celebrations, Vedanta Aluminium’s business units organized a range of activities aimed at recognizing and empowering women employees and community members. Events included awareness sessions, engagement activities promoting inclusivity, and skill-building workshops.
At the Jharsuguda mega aluminium smelter, members of Vedanta’s Subhalaxmi Cooperative, one of India’s largest women cooperatives, were honored during celebrations at the District Cultural Office. They also participated in a session on integrating women into the entrepreneurial ecosystem led by experts from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India.
The mines division celebrated Women’s Day with over 740 community members in Jamkhani, Girisma, and Kuraloi areas, organizing traditional competitions and special activities for pregnant and lactating women.
Vedanta Aluminium’s Lanjigarh unit hosted a celebration attended by over 2,000 women across six gram panchayats, including a town hall where female employees shared their experiences and achievements. An awareness session on obesity was also conducted.
At Vizag General Cargo Berth (VGCB) port operations, a gathering was organized for beneficiaries of Project Jivika, a women’s empowerment initiative offering livelihood skills training. A session on women’s legal rights followed.
BALCO, Vedanta Aluminium’s iconic aluminium smelter, held an awareness session on cervical cancer and recognized nearly 50 female employees for their outstanding contributions. The company also launched the third edition of Unnati Utsav, where Self-Help Group (SHG) members marketed their products and raised awareness on topics such as menstrual health management.
Overall, Vedanta Aluminium is committed to creating an environment where women professionals thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields, supported by world-class amenities and supportive policies.
