GeM's Womaniya Initiative Celebrates Seven Years of Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

The Government e-Marketplace's Womaniya initiative marks its seventh anniversary by amplifying women's role in public procurement. With over 2 lakh women-led MSEs registered, the initiative surpasses the mandated procurement targets. Through policy, digital platforms, and partnerships, Womaniya fosters gender-inclusive economic growth and eases market access for women entrepreneurs.

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated seven years of its Womaniya initiative, a program aimed at bolstering the participation of women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement. The initiative aligns with national priorities like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, showcasing the Government's dedication to gender-inclusive economic progress.

According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, over two lakh women-led MSEs are registered on the GeM portal. Since its launch on January 14, 2019, these enterprises have secured public procurement orders over Rs 80,000 crore, accounting for 4.7% of the total order value on GeM, exceeding the mandated three percent target for women-led enterprises. The initiative provides a transparent, digital interface, reducing entry hurdles and eliminating intermediaries.

GeM CEO Mihir Kumar highlighted the program's role in enabling women-led enterprises to grow, emphasizing the importance of policy-driven digital procurement in nurturing female entrepreneurship. A commemorative event in New Delhi underscored the importance of institutional access and gender-responsive procurement. A new partnership with the Women's Collective Forum aims to enhance support for women entrepreneurs.

(With inputs from agencies.)