The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has marked seven years of its Womaniya initiative, a flagship programme designed to expand the participation of women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement. Launched on 14 January 2019, the initiative was created to improve access for women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to government markets through a direct, transparent and fully digital platform.
Growth in Women-Led Procurement
As of 14 January 2026, more than two lakh women-led MSEs were registered on the GeM portal. These enterprises have secured public procurement orders worth over ₹80,000 crore. This accounts for 4.7 per cent of GeM’s total order value, exceeding the mandated three per cent procurement target for women-owned and women-led enterprises.
Purpose of the Womaniya Initiative
Womaniya was introduced to remove barriers that limited women entrepreneurs from entering government procurement. By eliminating intermediaries, the platform reduced entry hurdles and enabled direct access to government buyers. Over time, it has evolved from an access-enabling mechanism into a wider ecosystem supporting women’s enterprise growth.
MoU to Strengthen Institutional Support
A Memorandum of About was signed between GeM and the Women’s Collective Forum (WCF) to deepen support for women entrepreneurs. The partnership will focus on:
- Awareness of business-to-government opportunities.
- Support for onboarding, documentation and compliance.
- Assistance in product listing and visibility.
- Training programmes, workshops and field-level coordination.
Policy Significance and Broader Impact
The initiative aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Vocal for Local. It marks the role of digital procurement in promoting gender inclusion, enterprise scaling and local economic development. The event also underlined the need for capability building, awareness of Government Financial Rules (GFR), and stronger institutional partnerships to support women’s economic participation.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026