Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: The Success of the Womaniya Initiative on GeM

Overview of the Womaniya Initiative

The "Womaniya" initiative, aimed at promoting inclusivity on the Government e Marketplace (GeM), has significantly improved women's access to formal government markets. In the fiscal year 2025-26, this initiative facilitated contracts worth over Rs 28,000 crore awarded to women-led Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs), marking a remarkable growth of 27.60% compared to the previous year. During this period, more than 2.1 lakh women MSEs registered on GeM, resulting in a total order volume of 13.7 lakh. Notably, 5.6% of the total orders awarded on GeM exceeded the mandated 3% procurement target, according to government statistics. By providing women-led enterprises and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) direct access to one of India's largest public markets, the Womaniya Initiative transforms existing production capabilities into formal and sustainable business participation.

The Role of Self-Help Groups

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are grassroots organizations focused on empowering rural women. Typically comprising 10 to 20 members, these groups pool resources, collaborate to save money, support each other, and engage in income-generating activities. As of February 2026, approximately 10.05 crore women have been organized into 90.09 lakh SHGs, enhancing financial inclusion and fostering collective economic action, as reported by the government.

Product Segments Under Womaniya

What product-segments come under Womaniya?

The Womaniya initiative encompasses product segments where women-led enterprises and SHGs have established production capabilities. These categories are officially recognized under the initiative and are made easily searchable for government buyers through curated storefronts on GeM. The segments include Handicrafts, Grocery and Pantry items, Office Accessories, Handloom Textiles, and Personal Hygiene and Care products. The Central Government launched the Womaniya Initiative on GeM in 2019. According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, as of January 14, over two lakh women-led MSEs are registered on the GeM portal, securing public procurement orders exceeding Rs 80,000 crore, which accounts for 4.7% of the total order value on GeM since its inception on January 14, 2019.