Womennovator’s Gender Responsive Procurement (GRP) is a strategic approach to using a company's purchasing power to promote gender equality and women empowerment. It can be done by sourcing from women-owned businesses and by working with suppliers to improve their gender equality practices. GRP is essential for closing the gender gap in government procurement. Currently, there is a 90% gap between women- and men-led businesses procured by the government. However, the Indian government has set a target of sourcing 25% of its procurement from small businesses, and among them, 3% from women-owned businesses.
Corporates can play a vital role in closing the gender gap in government procurement by adopting Gender Responsive Procurement (GRP) practices. GRP also offers corporates a number of benefits, including increased innovation and creativity, improved supply chain resilience, enhanced brand reputation, and reduced costs.
Women vendors can also benefit significantly from GRP. By joining a GRP network, women vendors can access new markets, increase their sales and profitability, and improve their brand visibility and recognition. Women vendors can also play a role in closing the gender gap in government procurement by competing for government contracts.