Asia’s First UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion Launched by Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary

Pune, April 24: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, today inaugurated Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on “Gender Inclusion and Skill Development.” The launch took place at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, as part of the international conference titled “Women Leading the Future of Work,” organized in collaboration with UNESCO.

The UNESCO Chair was formally inaugurated by Shri Chaudhary in the presence of Maharashtra’s Minister for Women and Child Development Aditi Tatkare, Norway’s Consul General Monica Nagelgard, SSPU Pro-Chancellor Dr. Swati Mujumdar, and other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Chaudhary emphasized that India’s development will be determined not only by its scale but by how inclusively it empowers its people. He noted that initiatives like the UNESCO Chair ensure that women take the lead in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and modern technologies. When skill development aligns with industry needs and is rooted in equality, it becomes a powerful driver of both economic growth and social transformation, he added.

Ms. Tatkare praised the initiative for reaching women from marginalized communities and equipping them with skills that provide real opportunities. She highlighted that such efforts are crucial in building confidence, independence, and long-term empowerment among women.

The international conference on “Women Leading the Future of Work” brought together global organizations, policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts to deliberate on strengthening women’s participation in emerging sectors and future job roles. The successful launch of the UNESCO Chair and the conference marks a significant step toward positioning India as a global leader in skill development and inclusive workforce transformation.

The conference featured focused discussions on future employment trends in areas such as defence technology, robotics, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and global capability centres. More than 40 distinguished industry leaders participated as keynote speakers and panelists.

Key international speakers included Mary Overington, Gabriel Bordado from the International Labour Organization, Soledad Patino, and Priscilla Wanjiku Gatoni, along with several other national and international dignitaries.