/filters:format(webp)/english-betterindia/media/media_files/2025/12/23/whatsapp-image-priyanka-tri-2025-12-23-12-24-49.jpeg "Over 600 Grassroots Women in Ranchi Trained in AI Skills to Boost Livelihoods")
On 24 November, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), India’s public procurement portal, made a major move for gender equality: it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UN Women to significantly increase the access of women-led businesses in government procurement.
The pact aims to strengthen GeM’s “Womaniya” initiative , a program that supports women-led micro and small enterprises, self-help groups (SHGs), artisans, and marginalized women , by helping them directly sell to government departments and PSUs.
Under this collaboration, UN Women will provide training resources, mentor women entrepreneurs, and recommend global best practices, while GeM will run onboarding workshops, create training content in local languages, and sensitise government buyers to support women-led enterprises.
This isn’t just about business , it’s about dignity, empowerment, and building fairer market access. By facilitating this connection, the two organisations are aiming to change the narrative from women as “beneficiaries” to women as powerful market players, working to create more inclusive economic systems across India.
