The Womaniya Initiative has completed seven years. The initiative was launched under the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) on January 14, 2019. This provides more opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the government procurement process.
The initiative has achieved success in the past seven years. More than 200,000 women-led small businesses are registered on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal currently. On January 14, 2026, over two lakh women leading medium and small enterprises (MSEs) are registered on the GeM portal, securing orders worth over ₹80,000 crore.
This success is not limited to just numbers. It demonstrates that women entrepreneurs can also operate sustainably in the government market. This is a positive message for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector and a practical example of inclusive government policies. GEM registration is of utmost importance in the current scenario.
What is the Womaniya Initiative under GeM?
The Womaniya Initiative is a special system under GeM portal. This directly connects women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to the government market.
Previously, a major problem for many women entrepreneurs was market access. They had to rely on intermediaries to get work from government departments. This increased costs and reduced profits. This initiative has removed those barriers.
GeM is a completely digital platform. Here, women entrepreneurs can list their products and services themselves. Government buyers can also buy directly from them. The Womaniya Initiative is also advancing government goals such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Vocal for Local.
What Womaniya Initiative Has Achieved Over Seven Years?
Womaniya Initiative’s progress is briefly given below:
- Womaniya Initiative Launch Date: January 14, 2019
- Women-led MSEs: More than 200,000
- Total Government Orders: ₹80,000+ Crore
- Share in GeM’s Total Orders: 4.7%
- Target: 3%
This data shows that the confidence of government buyers has gradually increased. Exceeding the 3% target proves that women entrepreneurs are consistently securing work.
Most importantly, this participation is sustainable. Many women-led businesses are regularly receiving government orders and strengthening their position.
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Why is this Success Important for MSMEs and Women Entrepreneurs?
The MSME sector is a major pillar of the Indian economy. Increased participation of women entrepreneurs with MSME registration certificate in this sector has long-term effects. The Womaniya Initiative has created this opportunity.
Receiving government orders provides many small businesses with a stable income. This creates new employment opportunities. The local manufacturing and service sectors also benefit.
Another important aspect is the formalization of businesses. Working on government platforms brings documentation, billing, and payment processes under regulation. This makes women entrepreneurs’ businesses more credible.
This initiative has shown that women-led enterprises can play a strong role in the economy. This brings business improvement and positive social change.
What is GeM’s Role in Empowering Women Entrepreneurs?
The GeM platform has made it easier for women entrepreneurs to operate in the government market. There is no need for intermediaries to secure a business. A woman entrepreneur can directly connect with government buyers.
The biggest advantage of GeM is transparency. Pricing, product comparison, and the ordering process are all open and clear. This allows small vendors to be equally visible alongside larger organizations.
On January 15, 2026, during the celebration of the 7th year anniversary of Womaniya Initiative, GeM CEO Mihir Kumar also stated that women-led enterprises can grow their businesses more effectively by understanding the dynamics of government procurement. Regular orders have increased the credibility and sustainability of these enterprises.
How GeM is helping:
- Digital access, without intermediaries
- Transparent price comparison and decision-making
- Opportunities to work according to Government Financial Rules (GFR)
- Simplified process for new women vendors
Read more – MSME Sector Growth in India
MoU between GeM and Women’s Collective Forum (WCF)
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between GeM and the Women’s Collective Forum (WCF) to support women entrepreneurs.
This agreement raises awareness among women entrepreneurs about government business opportunities and provides them with practical assistance.
Through this partnership:
- Information will be provided about government procurement opportunities.
- Assistance will be given with registration as a seller on GeM.
- The product listing process will be simplified.
- Training and guidance will be provided.
Most importantly, the work will be done at the grassroots level. The benefit of the policy is obtained when support is provided directly to women entrepreneurs in villages and small towns.
What are the Challenges that Still Need Attention?
While the Womaniya Initiative has been successful, some challenges remain. Many women entrepreneurs have limited familiarity with digital systems, which causes difficulties initially.
Some common problems include:
- Women lack digital literacy.
- Women find difficulty in understanding documentation and compliance.
- Women lack clear understanding of the bidding process and pricing.
- Women need for regular training and mentorship.
Women entrepreneurs will be able to run their businesses more effectively in the long term with proper guidance and professional support in these areas.
Read more – Low-Investment Business Ideas with High Profit in India
Strengthening the Participation of Women-Led MSEs in Government Procurement
There is an opportunity to expand the Womaniya Initiative in the future. It is necessary to increase the participation of women-led enterprises in a wider range of goods and services.
Special attention must also be paid to women entrepreneurs in smaller towns and rural areas outside of metropolitan cities. Many are still unaware of government platforms.
This requires:
- Regular awareness programs
- Hands-on support
- Compliance and documentation assistance
In the long term, making gender-responsive public procurement a permanent part of policy will strengthen the women entrepreneurs.
The Final Words
The seven-year journey of the Womaniya Initiative proves that with the right policies and digital platforms, women entrepreneurs can succeed in the government market. An order value exceeding ₹80,000 crore shows that this initiative works wonders.
Transparent platforms like GeM and the government’s policy support are providing credibility and sustainability to women-led businesses. This is also strengthening the MSME sector. Corpbiz stands by women entrepreneurs on this path.
Corpbiz’s top experts provide support for:
- GeM registration
- Necessary compliance and documentation
- Bid management and consulting services
If you want to succeed in government procurement, Corpbiz can be your trusted partner.
Top Questions Regarding Womaniya Initiative
What is the Womaniya Initiative under GeM?
The Womaniya Initiative is a system under GeM that connects women entrepreneurs with government procurement. Women-led small businesses can directly supply goods or services to the government. Previously, this opportunity was difficult to access. Now, online platforms have made the process easier. This allows businesses to operate without intermediaries and increases their chances of securing contracts.
Who can register as a woman-led MSE on GeM?
A woman-led business owner can register as a woman-led MSE on GeM. This can be anything from small shops and service providers to manufacturing units. Women's self-help groups or women's cooperative societies can also register in this program.
How has the Womaniya Initiative benefited women entrepreneurs?
Womaniya Initiative helps women entrepreneurs to enter the government market. It has made it easier for women by providing direct opportunities through digital platforms. Regular orders have made the business income sustainable. In addition, the working experience with the government has increased both the credibility and confidence of women entrepreneurs.
What types of products and services can women-led MSEs sell on GeM?
Women-led MSEs can sell a variety of products and services on GeM. These include office supplies, clothing, handicrafts, electronics, cleaning services, consultancy, event support, and many more. GeM regularly adds new categories, creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs from different sectors.
How does GeM ensure transparency in government procurement?
GeM is a completely digital platform. Here, pricing, product comparison, and the ordering process can all be viewed online. Government buyers can compare offers from multiple vendors. This reduces the scope for bias. In addition, the payment process is carried out according to specific rules, which are safe and transparent for sellers.
What is the mandatory procurement target for women-led enterprises?
As per government norms, at least 3% of total government procurement must be done by women-owned or women-led enterprises. The Womaniya Initiative has played a major role in fulfilling this target. Currently, the participation of women-led enterprises in GeM has crossed this 3% limit. This highlights the real success of the policy.
Why is gender-responsive public procurement important?
Gender-responsive public procurement means creating special opportunities for women in government procurement. This makes women entrepreneurs economically strong. Increased income also increases employment. Also, increased participation of women in business creates equality and inclusion in society. So, it is beneficial for both the economy and society.
What kind of problems do women-led MSEs face in GeM?
Digital platforms are new for many women entrepreneurs. So, there were technical difficulties in the beginning. Besides, preparing documents, understanding the bidding process, and determining the right price can also be a challenge. These problems are compounded if regular training and advice are not provided. Therefore, hands-on support is very much needed.
How does the partnership between GeM and WCF support women entrepreneurs?
The partnership between GeM and the Women’s Collective Forum (WCF) provides support to women entrepreneurs at the field level. Awareness is raised about government business opportunities through this partnership. Assistance is provided during registration, documentation, and product listing. In addition, women entrepreneurs are prepared through training.
How does Corpbiz help women-led enterprises succeed in GeM?
Corpbiz supports women entrepreneurs from start to finish. It includes GeM registration and preparation of the necessary compliance and documentation. It also explains the bidding process and provides the right guidance. Through experienced advice, Corpbiz helps women-led enterprises move forward with confidence in government procurement.
Read more – Challenges Faced by Women in the Workplace
