The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has marked seven years of its Womaniya Initiative, a flagship programme aimed at increasing the participation of women-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement across India.
Launched to empower women entrepreneurs, the Womaniya Initiative provides a dedicated platform on GeM for women-led businesses to showcase and sell their products directly to government buyers. Over the years, the initiative has helped improve market access, visibility and business opportunities for thousands of women-owned enterprises.
Officials said the programme has played a key role in enabling women entrepreneurs to participate in government tenders and procurement processes, which were traditionally difficult for smaller businesses to access. The initiative also supports capacity building through training, onboarding assistance and awareness programmes conducted across states.
Women-led MSEs contribute significantly to employment generation, local manufacturing and inclusive economic growth. By integrating them into the public procurement ecosystem, GeM aims to promote financial inclusion and strengthen the role of women in the formal economy.
According to officials, the Womaniya Initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals of promoting entrepreneurship, gender equality and self-reliance. As GeM completes seven years of the initiative, efforts will continue to expand outreach, enhance digital capabilities and further simplify procurement processes to ensure greater participation of women-led enterprises in government purchasing.