Introduction
Women’s economic empowerment is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable growth. To increase women’s participation in government procurement, the Government of India launched the Womaniya Initiative under the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). The initiative provides women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with a dedicated digital platform to directly sell their products to government buyers, eliminating intermediaries and expanding market access.
What is the Womaniya Initiative?
The Womaniya Initiative, launched on 14 January 2019, is an inclusion-focused programme under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
It aims to:
- Empower women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
- Promote Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Increase women’s participation in public procurement.
- Provide transparent and direct access to government buyers across India.
About Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
GeM is India’s national online public procurement portal launched in 2016.
Features
- Paperless, cashless and contactless platform.
- Enables procurement by Central & State Governments, PSUs, Panchayats and Cooperatives.
- Promotes transparency, efficiency and competitive pricing.
- Supports Digital India and Ease of Doing Business.
Objectives of Womaniya
- Expand market access for women entrepreneurs.
- Promote women-led MSMEs and SHGs.
- Reduce dependence on middlemen.
- Increase supplier diversity in government procurement.
- Strengthen financial independence and entrepreneurship.
- Support inclusive economic growth.
Key Features
- Dedicated digital storefront for women sellers.
- Easy online registration using Udyam verification.
- Capacity-building workshops and training.
- Buyer-seller meets and onboarding support.
- Enhanced visibility of women-owned enterprises.
- Transparent procurement and timely payments.
Product Categories
Women entrepreneurs can sell products under dedicated categories such as:
- Handicrafts
- Handloom Textiles
- Grocery & Pantry
- Office Accessories
- Personal Hygiene & Care
- Jute and Coir Products
- Home Décor and Furnishings
Performance (FY 2025–26)
- 2.1 lakh+ women-led MSEs registered on GeM.
- 13.7 lakh procurement orders received.
- ₹28,000+ crore worth of contracts awarded.
- 27.6% annual growth in contract value.
- Women received 5.6% of GeM’s total procurement value, exceeding the mandatory 3% procurement target.
Womaniya under SWAYATT
Womaniya complements the SWAYATT (Startups, Women & Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions) initiative, which aims to:
- Improve ease of doing business.
- Promote startups and women entrepreneurs.
- Support SHGs and marginalized communities.
- Enhance participation in public procurement.
Significance
- Promotes women-led entrepreneurship.
- Strengthens rural livelihoods.
- Expands formal market access.
- Encourages inclusive and gender-responsive procurement.
- Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local and Make in India.
- Contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth).
Challenges
- Limited digital literacy in rural areas.
- Lack of awareness about GeM.
- Quality certification and compliance issues.
- Logistics and supply-chain constraints.
- Limited access to finance for scaling businesses.
Way Forward
- Expand digital literacy and training programmes.
- Strengthen SHG capacity building.
- Improve logistics support.
- Simplify onboarding and compliance.
- Increase procurement from women-led enterprises.
- Promote branding and export opportunities for women-owned businesses.
UPSC Prelims Facts
- Launched: 14 January 2019
- Ministry: Ministry of Commerce & Industry
- Platform: Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
- Target Beneficiaries: Women-led MSEs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- Related Initiative: SWAYATT
- GeM Launch Year: 2016
UPSC Prelims Practice MCQs – Womaniya Initiative
MCQ 1
With reference to the Womaniya Initiative, consider the following statements:
- It is an initiative under the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
- It aims to promote women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- It is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. The initiative is implemented through GeM under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, not the Ministry of Women & Child Development.
MCQ 2
The Womaniya Initiative is primarily associated with:
A. Skill development for women artisans
B. Government procurement through a digital platform
C. Providing collateral-free loans to women entrepreneurs
D. Export promotion of agricultural products
Answer: B
Explanation:
The initiative enables women entrepreneurs to sell products directly to government buyers through Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
