Strengthening Womens Role in Manufacturing: WEAIM

By: WE Staff | Friday, 27 March 2026

• Moving away from symbolic approaches and towards practical approaches in the empowerment of women
• Increasing emphasis on structural approaches rather than access
• The role of WEAIM in the changing approaches to empowerment

There is a gradual shift in the way women empowerment is being defined, with less emphasis on symbolic conversations and more on practical frameworks. This shift is also evident in the way empowerment is now being defined in terms of structures rather than just access.

Under these developments, the role of organizations like the Womenergy Association of Incubators in Manufacturing (WEAIM) can also be viewed in terms of creating a shift in the way empowerment is being defined.

In terms of women entrepreneurship in India, the discussions have been largely limited to small-scale industries, home-based businesses, or service-oriented businesses. While these are important sectors, manufacturing has been relatively less explored.

Manufacturing is a capital-intensive industry with high regulatory requirements and network dependence. It can be viewed as a highly entry-inhibiting industry, especially for first-generation women entrepreneurs.

WEAIM aims to bridge this gap by creating a structured ecosystem that is more aligned to the realities of women entering industrial and manufacturing spaces. As a first-generation women entrepreneur-led organization, it is more focused on real-life experiences than theories.

Its ecosystem is built in a manner that is more likely to address the issues of regulations, finances, and operations that women entrepreneurs may face in a manufacturing environment.

The core of this ecosystem is the START IT – SCALE IT Cell, where a stage-based incubation model is used. This is a structured framework that supports entrepreneurs in validating their idea, registering, accessing finance, entering the market, scaling production, and more.

Apart from business performance indicators, these changes have wider social implications. The improvement in income stability has also led to greater financial independence and decision-making capabilities. Consequently, women's social acceptability in society has also undergone changes. These changes in women's social acceptability in society have wider social implications.

WEAIM has also extended its services beyond incubation through an initiative by WEMART Global. The initiative is for market access. The initiative seeks to ensure women-led manufacturing businesses gain entry into retail and digital markets.

The initiative has addressed technology as an alternative and not an obstacle. The initiative has provided information on ecommerce onboarding, digital cataloging, and transactions in an accessible way. The initiative has ensured usability and inclusivity, as it seeks to ensure women entrepreneurs gain effective participation in the economy.