India’s digital public procurement ecosystem has achieved a major milestone in promoting women entrepreneurship. The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) marked seven years of the Womaniya Initiative, a flagship programme designed to enhance the participation of women-led Micro and Small Enterprises in government procurement. Over the years, the initiative has transformed access, scale, and visibility for women entrepreneurs across the country.
Why in News?
The Government e-Marketplace has completed seven years of the Womaniya Initiative, under which women led MSEs have secured public procurement orders worth over ₹80,000 crore, far exceeding the mandated procurement target.
About Womaniya Initiative
- The Womaniya Initiative, launched on January 14, 2019, was conceived to address the limited access of women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to government markets.
- By offering a direct, transparent, and fully digital interface between sellers and government buyers, Womaniya removed intermediaries and reduced traditional entry barriers.
- Over time, it has evolved from a facilitation platform into a national ecosystem of opportunity, enabling women-led enterprises to compete, scale, and build credibility in public procurement.
Seven Years of Impact and Key Achievements
- As of January 14, 2026, more than two lakh women-led MSEs are registered on the GeM portal. Collectively, they have secured over ₹80,000 crore in orders, accounting for 4.7% of GeM’s total order value.
- This performance significantly surpasses the 3% mandatory procurement target for women-owned and women-led enterprises, highlighting the effectiveness of policy-backed digital platforms in driving inclusion and economic participation.
Institutional Support and Policy Emphasis
- The commemorative event held in New Delhi brought together policymakers and development partners.
- Speakers from the Ministry of MSME, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and UN Women India emphasised the importance of institutional access, capability building, and sustained policy support.
- The discussions highlighted the role of gender-responsive public procurement as a tool to mainstream women’s economic participation and strengthen local economies.
Role of GeM in Promoting Women Entrepreneurship
- According to GeM leadership, Womaniya has emerged as a structured and scalable ecosystem for women entrepreneurs.
- Digital procurement through GeM enables transparent price discovery, product comparison, and wider market access.
- Awareness of Government Financial Rules (GFR) and understanding procurement patterns were identified as crucial for women entrepreneurs to fully leverage public procurement opportunities.
- The initiative aligns technology with policy intent to create long-term entrepreneurial resilience.
About GeM and Public Procurement
- The Government e-Marketplace is India’s national public procurement portal aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity. Initiatives like Womaniya highlight how targeted interventions within digital public infrastructure can address structural inequalities and promote equitable growth.
Key Summary at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
| Why in News? | 7 years of Womaniya Initiative completed |
| Launched On | January 14, 2019 |
| Platform | Government e-Marketplace |
| Women MSEs Registered | Over 2 lakh |
| Orders Secured | ₹80,000+ crore |
| Share in GeM Orders | 4.7% |
| Key Objective | Women-led enterprise participation |
Question
Q. The Womaniya Initiative is associated with which government platform?
A. Udyam Portal
B. Government e-Marketplace
C. Startup India Hub
D. National Single Window System