Over 1,000 women professionals drive innovation across mining, engineering and technology roles
February 11 is International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Observed every year on February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, led by UNESCO, highlights the critical role women play in advancing science, technology and innovation. Globally, women now account for nearly one-third of researchers, contributing across disciplines ranging from healthcare and engineering to space science and industrial research. The observance reinforces the importance of inclusive participation in STEM as a driver of sustainable development and long-term innovation.
At Tata Steel, this belief is reflected in long-standing policies and on-the-ground practices that support women across career stages and in science, technology and engineering-intensive roles. Anchored in the Company’s MOSAIC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion framework, the focus is on building enabling systems that strengthen participation, continuity and capability, critical to a resilient and future-ready organisation.
Beyond policy, Tata Steel has consistently expanded women’s participation in roles traditionally considered outside the female workforce, particularly in core operations driven by science and engineering. Through initiatives such as Women@Mines, the Company has pioneered the inclusion of women across operational, technical and leadership roles in mining. This initiative has expanded access to core industrial environments and created pathways for women to grow and thrive.
Through Tejaswini and Tejaswini 2.0, women have been trained and deployed as heavy earth-moving machinery operators across mining operations, handling complex, technology-led processes central to efficient and responsible resource management. In 2024, Tata Steel operationalised India’s first all-women mining shift at Noamundi, where women now manage critical operational processes across all three shifts, including night operations. Clear guidelines for three-shift deployment, supported by safety protocols, infrastructure readiness and sensitised leadership, ensure that women can work confidently and securely across functions, setting a new benchmark for inclusion in industrial operations.
Tata Steel’s approach to women in STEM also focuses on building a strong leadership and talent pipeline. The Women of Mettle programme, the Company’s flagship initiative for early-career women engineers, nurtures talent from premier institutes through real-time projects, structured mentorship and industry exposure. Complementing this, leadership development interventions such as Crucibolt and the Breakthrough Series strengthen strategic thinking, leadership capability and cross-functional collaboration, preparing women professionals for critical and future-ready roles.
This sustained focus on inclusion and capability building is reflected in global recognition as well. Tata Steel women professionals Anjna Tiwari and Bandi Gayatri were featured among the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining by Women in Mining UK, a biennial recognition celebrating women who are driving impact and change in the mining sector worldwide. Their inclusion underscores Tata Steel’s efforts to create opportunities for women to lead, influence and deliver results in technically demanding and traditionally male-dominated environments.
As of today, Tata Steel employs approximately 1,000 women in technical and other STEM-focused roles across India, reflecting steady progress in improving gender representation in these functions.
As the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed, the focus remains clear. Sustained progress will depend on enabling systems, supportive policies and visible role models that allow women to participate fully and perform at their best across every field of science and technology. By aligning inclusion with innovation, Tata Steel continues to advance gender equality in STEM as a critical enabler of sustainable development, responsible industrial growth and long-term value creation.
