Why in news?
The Government e‑Marketplace (GeM) recently marked seven years since launching the Womaniya initiative. As of January 2026 more than two lakh women‑led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) have registered on the portal, and procurement orders worth over ₹80,000 crore have been placed with these sellers. The milestone underscores the initiative’s success in boosting women’s participation in government procurement.
Background
GeM is an online platform created in 2016 to streamline procurement by central and state government agencies. It allows suppliers to sell goods and services directly to public buyers without middlemen. On GeM launched Womaniya, an initiative aimed at increasing the participation of women‑owned MSEs in government procurement. The portal provides a dedicated onboarding process, training and marketing support for women entrepreneurs. It also lists handloom products, handicrafts, organic food and other items traditionally produced by women.
Features of the initiative
- Easy registration: The Womaniya programme offers step‑by‑step guidance and simplified documentation to help women‑led firms register on GeM. Training camps and webinars explain how to list products, set prices and manage orders.
- Eliminating intermediaries: By connecting sellers directly with government buyers, the platform reduces costs and ensures that profits reach the women entrepreneurs rather than middlemen.
- Handholding support: GeM partners with self‑help groups, cooperatives and women’s federations to identify potential sellers and provide capacity‑building. A recent memorandum of understanding with the Women’s Collective Forum aims to expand outreach.
- Performance incentives: The government mandates that at least 3 percent of procurement by ministries and departments should be from women‑owned MSEs. GeM monitors this target and shares success stories to inspire more participation.
Outcomes
- Rapid growth: Over two lakh women‑led MSEs have joined GeM, making it one of the world’s largest digital marketplaces for female entrepreneurs.
- High procurement value: Cumulative orders exceeding ₹80,000 crore have been placed with women sellers, far surpassing the 3 percent procurement target.
- Economic empowerment: Participation in government tenders provides steady revenue, encourages formalisation of businesses and helps women gain financial independence.
Conclusion
The success of the Womaniya initiative demonstrates how digital platforms can empower women entrepreneurs. Continued efforts to simplify procedures, provide training and showcase quality products will further expand opportunities for women in public procurement.
Source: Press Information Bureau
