Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: National Workshop on Public Procurement
On February 17th, 2026, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and PCI India hosted a significant National Learning Dissemination Workshop in New Delhi, focused on enhancing opportunities for Women-Led Enterprises (WLEs) through public procurement. The event unified state rural livelihood missions, key ministries, development partners, CSR leaders, and industry stakeholders to share effective models of Self-Help Group (SHG) enterprises and how they engage in government procurement frameworks.
Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment
Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, delivered a compelling special address emphasizing that women’s economic empowerment is not merely a welfare goal but a strategic investment in India’s development. He pointed out that as one of the fastest-growing major economies, India’s progress is closely linked to the active involvement of women in the economy. During his talk titled “Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment under Viksit Bharat: Policy Direction for WLEs and SHGs,” he accentuated the importance of public procurement as a tool for ensuring transparency and inclusivity, while also enhancing quality and accountability in government supply chains.
Strategic Priority for Self-Help Groups
Shri T.K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary of DAY-NRLM, reiterated the strategic priority of linking SHG products to public procurement systems. He announced that a coordinated effort will take place across various ministries and partners to systematically integrate SHG enterprises into these procurement processes. This aligns with the broader vision of accelerating women’s economic upliftment in rural areas.
Launch of New Resources
During the workshop, a dedicated microsite was launched aimed at guiding WLEs in establishing and managing enterprises throughout India. The Secretary also unveiled three sector-specific playbooks focusing on housekeeping and laundry, food processing, and apparel enterprises. Additionally, a coffee table book was released, showcasing the journeys and achievements of various enterprises, alongside valuable institutional learnings.
Voices from the Ground
The event saw participation from senior officials, including Smt. Swati Sharma and Smt. Rajeshwari S.M., as well as representatives from global development partners like the World Bank and the Gates Foundation. SHG entrepreneurs from states such as Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Bihar shared their firsthand experiences of navigating public procurement systems, providing insights into scaling quality and ensuring sustainability.
Importance of Collaborative Action
The workshop aimed to stimulate collaborative efforts to boost women’s economic empowerment and place SHG enterprises as credible suppliers within the government procurement ecosystem. This initiative is a vital stride towards realizing the vision of inclusive and gender-responsive rural development under the Viksit Bharat initiative.
Background on DAY-NRLM
Since its launch in 2011, the DAY-NRLM has mobilized over 10.05 crore rural women into more than 90.90 lakh Self-Help Groups, establishing one of the world’s largest networks of women-led community institutions. Notably, banks have provided cumulative credit exceeding Rs. 11,10,945 crore to these SHGs, substantially contributing to enhanced livelihoods and social empowerment in rural parts of India.
Recognizing the pivotal role of public procurement, the workshop sought to leverage government purchasing systems to promote WLEs. Public procurement globally accounts for 13–20% of GDP, representing a significant opportunity for inclusive growth. In India, government mandates ensure that 25% of annual procurement is sourced from Micro and Small Enterprises, with 3% specifically designated for women-led enterprises.
PCI India, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, has provided essential technical support to bolster the planning and readiness of women-led SHG enterprises, ensuring their long-term sustainability within public procurement frameworks.
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