Jayant Chaudhary Launches UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development

In a major step toward advancing inclusive workforce development and empowering women in emerging sectors, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, today launched the UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development.

The initiative was unveiled at the International Conference on “Women Leading the Future of Work”, organised in collaboration with UNESCO at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, bringing together global policymakers, industry leaders, and academic institutions.

Driving Inclusive Growth Through Skills

In his address, Shri Jayant Chaudhary underscored the importance of aligning skill development with inclusivity and industry demand.

“India’s growth trajectory will be defined not only by scale but by how inclusively we empower our people. Initiatives like this UNESCO Chair ensure that women are at the forefront of emerging sectors such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and new-age technologies.”

He emphasized that equitable access to skills can act as a powerful catalyst for both economic progress and social transformation, particularly as India moves toward high-tech, innovation-driven industries.

Expanding Opportunities for Women in Emerging Sectors

The UNESCO Chair aims to:

• Promote gender-inclusive skilling frameworks

• Strengthen women’s participation in sunrise sectors such as AI, robotics, semiconductors, and defence technology

• Support research, training, and policy development focused on equity in workforce participation

The initiative is expected to serve as a global knowledge hub, connecting academia, industry, and international organisations to drive inclusive skill development models.

Focus on Underserved Communities

Maharashtra Minister for Women & Child Development, Ms. Aditi Tatkare, highlighted the importance of reaching women from underserved backgrounds.

She noted that such initiatives:

• Build confidence and independence

• Create pathways to sustainable livelihoods

• Enable long-term economic empowerment

Global Collaboration for Future Workforce

The conference provided a platform for dialogue on the future of work, particularly in high-growth sectors shaping the global economy.

Key themes included:

• Defence technology and advanced manufacturing

• Robotics and Industry 4.0

• Artificial Intelligence and semiconductors

• Global Capability Centres (GCCs)

Over 40 industry leaders participated as keynote speakers and panelists, offering insights into evolving skill requirements and workforce trends.

International Expertise and Knowledge Exchange

The event featured participation from leading global experts, including:

• Ms. Mary Overington, Trade and Investment Commissioner (South Asia)

• Mr. Gabriel Bordado, Skills Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO)

• Ms. Soledad Patiño, UNESCO Global Skills Academy, Paris

• Ms. Priscilla Wanjiku Gatonye, UNESCO-UNEVOC, Germany

Their contributions highlighted the need for international collaboration in shaping inclusive and future-ready skill ecosystems.

Positioning India as a Global Leader in Skilling

The launch of the UNESCO Chair reflects India’s broader ambition to become a global hub for skill development and workforce transformation, particularly in the context of:

• Rapid technological change

• Increasing demand for skilled talent

• The need for inclusive growth models

With a focus on gender inclusion, the initiative aims to ensure that women are not just participants but leaders in the future economy.

Toward an Inclusive Future of Work

The combined impact of the UNESCO Chair and the international conference signals a strategic shift toward inclusive, innovation-driven workforce development.

By integrating:

• Global best practices

• Industry-aligned training

• Equity-focused policies

India is laying the foundation for a diverse and resilient workforce capable of driving long-term economic growth.

As the nature of work continues to evolve, initiatives like the UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development are expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in the journey toward a technology-driven future.