GeM marks seven years of Womaniya initiative boosting women-led MSE procurement
New Delhi: Government e-Marketplace marked seven years of the Womaniya initiative, highlighting that women-led micro and small enterprises had secured public procurement orders worth over ₹80,000 crore through the platform.
GeM said more than two lakh women-led MSEs were registered on its portal as of January 14, 2026. These enterprises accounted for 4.7% of GeM’s total order value, surpassing the mandated 3% procurement target for women-owned and women-led businesses.
Launched on January 14, 2019, the Womaniya initiative aimed to improve access for women entrepreneurs and self-help groups to government markets. Through a fully digital and transparent interface, the programme removed intermediaries and reduced long-standing entry barriers. Over time, it expanded into a nationwide ecosystem supporting women-led enterprises.
The anniversary event took place at the Jeevan Bharti Building in New Delhi. Policymakers, multilateral institutions, and ecosystem partners attended the programme to review the initiative’s progress and outcomes.
Womaniya initiative partnership and policy push highlighted at GeM event
Speakers at the event stressed the importance of institutional access and sustained policy support for women’s economic participation. Joint Secretary in the Ministry of MSME Smt. Mercy Epao, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office Chief of Staff Smt. Radhika Kaul Batra, and UN Women India Country Programme Manager Smt. Suhela Khan addressed the gathering.
GeM Chief Executive Officer Shri Mihir Kumar said the Womaniya initiative had evolved into a structured and scalable ecosystem. He said digital procurement through GeM strengthened credibility and resilience for women-led enterprises. He also emphasised price discovery, product comparison, awareness of Government Financial Rules, and coordinated stakeholder support.
A key development during the programme was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between GeM and the Women’s Collective Forum. Additional CEO GeM Shri Ajit B. Chavan and WCF Chief Community Officer Ms. Richa Sharma signed the agreement. The partnership aims to support onboarding, compliance, product listing, and training for women entrepreneurs.
The event also featured entrepreneur testimonials, interactive sessions, and roundtable discussions. GeM said these interactions highlighted how access to public procurement supported enterprise growth and local economic impact. The initiative aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Vocal for Local objectives.
