About Womaniya Initiative:
- It was launched in 2019.
- It is a flagship programme aimed at strengthening the participation of women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement.
- Womaniya was conceived to address the limited access of women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to government markets.
- It spurs Women entrepreneurship by aligning them with opportunities to sell their products to various Government ministries, departments and institutions.
- By providing a direct, transparent and fully digital interface with government buyers, the initiative eliminated intermediaries and reduced entry barriers that had historically constrained participation.
- Impact: The initiative seeks to develop women entrepreneurship to achieve gender-inclusive economic growth.
What is GeM Portal?
- Government e-Marketplace, shortly known as GeM, is a digital platform that enables buying and selling of goods and services.
- It is the Public Procurement Portal for procurement of goods and services for all Central Government and State Government Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Units (PSUs) and affiliated.
- It was launched in August 2016, by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- The sole purpose of GeM is to enhance efficiency; transparency and speed in public procurement.
- GeM Marks Seven Years of Womaniya Initiative to Strengthen Women-Led MSE Participation in Public Procurement.
