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New Delhi, November 30, 2024 – The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has launched the SHe-Box portal, a digital platform aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (SH Act). This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of women across workplaces in India.
The SHe-Box portal, live since October 19, 2024, serves as a central repository for data related to Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) constituted under the SH Act. It also enables women employees, irrespective of their employment sector or geographical location, to lodge complaints of workplace harassment directly. Since its activation, the portal has received nine complaints, marking a step forward in addressing harassment through a streamlined, centralized mechanism.
Addressing Gaps in Implementation
Until now, no centralized database existed to track the number of ICs and LCs, or the complaints filed and resolved under the SH Act. By consolidating this information, the SHe-Box portal aims to ensure greater accountability and transparency in addressing workplace harassment.
The SH Act mandates that employers with more than 10 employees establish ICs to investigate complaints of sexual harassment. For workplaces with fewer than 10 workers or where the complaint involves the employer, LCs must be constituted at the district level. The appropriate government is responsible for maintaining records of complaints and their resolution, a process that will now be streamlined through the SHe-Box platform.
Timely Redressal and Sensitization
The Act prescribes a 90-day timeline for completing inquiries into complaints. To ensure compliance, MWCD has issued advisories to central and state governments to regularly conduct workshops and awareness programs for employers and employees.
Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur, while addressing the Lok Sabha, highlighted the importance of this initiative. “The SHe-Box portal reflects our dedication to providing women with a safe and secure workplace environment. It is a vital step towards empowering women by facilitating quick redressal and maintaining transparency in the system,” she stated.
Looking Ahead
With more organizations, including private-sector workplaces, expected to onboard the SHe-Box portal, the government hopes to create a robust framework to address workplace harassment. This effort aligns with its broader mission to promote gender equality and ensure the dignity and rights of women in every sphere of life.
The launch of SHe-Box marks a significant milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to build safer work environments for women and strengthen the implementation of the SH Act.
