Womaniya

Womaniya

Context

The Womaniya initiative on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) was highlighted for its landmark success. The initiative has enabled over 2.1 lakh women entrepreneurs to secure government orders exceeding ₹28,000 crore, marking a significant milestone in gender-inclusive public procurement.

About the News

What is Womaniya? Launched in 2019 under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Womaniya is an inclusion-focused initiative on the GeM platform. It provides a dedicated digital interface for women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to sell products ranging from handicrafts to office accessories directly to Central and State Ministries and PSUs.

Key Data and Statistics (FY 2025-26):

• Registration: Over 2.1 lakh women-led MSEs are registered on GeM.
• Order Volume: Women entrepreneurs secured 13.7 lakh orders during the fiscal year.
• Contract Value: Total awards reached over ₹28,000 crore, representing a 27.60% year-on-year growth.
• Target Achievement: While the mandated procurement target is 3%, women-led orders accounted for 5.6% of GeM’s total order volume.

Key Features of the Initiative

• Seamless Onboarding: Utilizes Udyam verification and immersive workshops to integrate women MSEs into the digital ecosystem.
• Standardised Cataloguing: Implements uniform templates and technical attributes to ensure products are discoverable and competitive.
• Paperless & Contactless: All processes from bidding to invoicing are fully digital, eliminating the need for intermediaries.
• Time-Bound Payments: Features digitized workflows to ensure prompt payments, crucial for the liquidity of micro-suppliers.
• Vernacular Outreach: Capacity building is conducted through regional language training and buyer-seller meets across India.

Impact of Women Entrepreneurs in India

• Grassroots Empowerment: As of February 2026, 10.05 crore women have been mobilized into 90.09 lakh SHGs, fostering collective economic strength.
• Market Independence: Provides direct access to government buyers, reducing historical dependence on exploitative middlemen.
• Supplier Diversity: Expands the government’s supplier base by integrating previously under-represented demographic groups.
• Financial Visibility: Digital transaction trails on GeM enhance the "creditworthiness" of women-led firms, facilitating easier access to formal finance.

Challenges

• Digital Readiness: Disparities in digital literacy can hinder the independent navigation of complex procurement software.
• Time Poverty: Women often balance business operations with significant unpaid care and household responsibilities.
• Information Asymmetry: Barriers in awareness regarding specific government schemes persist in remote and rural belts.
• Limited Autonomy: In certain socio-economic contexts, women may lack full decision-making power over pricing and reinvestment.
• Collateral Constraints: A lack of formal assets makes it difficult for micro-enterprises to scale via traditional bank loans.

Way Forward

• Flow-Based Underwriting: Integrate GeM and UPI digital footprints into credit models to provide collateral-free loans to nano-enterprises.
• Vernacular Digital Tools: Embed voice-enabled and local-language interfaces into procurement platforms to enhance accessibility.
• Trust-Based Networks: Leverage existing SHG collectives to drive the safe adoption of new financial and digital technologies.
• Enterprise Progression: Focus on "graduation" metrics to help small-ticket sellers transition into larger-scale manufacturing.
• Holistic Support: Supplement market access with mentorship and strategic business training to enhance long-term agency.

Conclusion

Womaniya on GeM has evolved from a specialized inclusion program into a powerhouse for organized public procurement. By converting localized production into formal enterprise participation, it provides a direct pathway to economic independence. Ultimately, the initiative ensures that India’s public procurement landscape reflects the true capabilities and aspirations of its women entrepreneurs.