Making gender count in procurement policy

Women-led development is now a focus area in most gender-inclusive social and welfare schemes.

- Lalita Panicker

For this, one of the crucial sectors that need promotion is women-oriented businesses (WOBs). Procurement is key to the success of WOBs, yet internationally, women's businesses receive 1% of procurement spending, as per WECONNECT International. In India, WOBs make up about 15% of enterprises, but their share in procurement opportunities hovers at about 1.2%. Structural inequalities ensure that women's businesses, especially those from the lower-income segments, are unable to access opportunities in public and private procurement or, at best, remain disproportionately represented at the lowest tiers of the supply chain.