Womaniya Initiative on GeM has recorded significant growth in FY 2025-26, with over Rs 28,000 crore in contracts awarded to women MSEs- surpassing the mandated procurement target highlighting its growing role in gender-inclusive public procurement.
About GeM & Womaniya
- Government e-Marketplace (GeM): launched in 2016 under the vision of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”, is a paperless, cashless and contactless platform for end-to-end government procurement.
- SWAYATT (Startups, Women & Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions): launched in February 2019- is GeM’s broader inclusion initiative promoting participation of startups, women entrepreneurs, youth, MSEs, SHGs and marginalised communities in public procurement. Womaniya complements SWAYATT’s agenda.
Womaniya Initiative
- Introduced on GeM in 2019 under Ministry of Commerce & Industry
- Provides a dedicated digital interface for women MSEs and SHGs to register, list products and sell directly to Central Ministries and PSUs across India.
Product Categories Under Womaniya
- Womaniya Handicrafts
- Womaniya Grocery and Pantry
- Womaniya Office Accessories
- Womaniya Handloom Textiles
- Womaniya Personal Hygiene and Care
Key Features
- Digital onboarding via Udyam verification
- Standardised catalogue listing with uniform templates
- Fully digital procurement– bidding, ordering, invoicing and payments
- Time-bound payment mechanisms supporting micro enterprises with limited working capital
- Training and outreach through vernacular workshops and buyer-seller meets
Performance in FY 2025-26
- 1 lakh+ women MSEs registered on GeM with 13.7 lakh total orders
- Rs 28,000+ crore contract value awarded to women MSEs, 60% growth over previous year
- Women MSEs accounted for 6% of GeM’s total orders, significantly surpassing the mandated 3% procurement target
SHG Context
- As of February 2026, 5 crore women have been mobilised into 90.09 lakh SHGs across India, strengthening the grassroots base for Womaniya.