The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) on November 29th 2024 issued a press release regarding significant step towards ensuring the safety and security of women in workplaces across India with the launch of the SHe-Box portal.
The portal, which aligns with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, is designed to centralize the handling of complaints related to workplace harassment, offering a streamlined process for reporting and addressing such issues.
What is the SHe-Box Portal?
The SHe-Box portal serves as a central repository for complaints related to sexual harassment at workplaces. It consolidates data from both Internal Committees (ICs) at larger workplaces (those with more than 10 employees) and Local Committees (LCs) at the district level, which handle complaints from smaller workplaces or where the complaint is made against the employer. This initiative ensures greater transparency, accountability, and accessibility for women facing harassment at work.
Why is it Important?
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, mandates that all employers—whether in the public or private sector, and across organized and unorganized sectors—ensure a safe working environment free from harassment. This law requires employers to set up an Internal Committee (IC) in workplaces with more than 10 employees, while Local Committees (LCs) are established at the district level for organizations with fewer than 10 workers.
Until recently, there was no central platform to track complaints or the effectiveness of ICs and LCs. The SHe-Box portal fills this gap by acting as a digital platform where complaints can be logged, tracked, and managed efficiently across various sectors and regions.
Key Features of the Portal
- Centralized Data: The SHe-Box portal aggregates data from workplaces across India, enabling easier monitoring of the number of complaints filed, in progress, and resolved.
- Complaint Registration: As of October 19, 2024, the portal’s complaint registration feature has gone live. Since its launch, 9 complaints have already been registered, primarily from central ministries and departments that have onboarded the system.
- Timely Resolution: The portal supports the legal provision of a 90-day timeline for inquiring into complaints, ensuring that cases are resolved promptly and within the prescribed period.
- Coverage: The portal is designed to handle complaints from both government and private sector workplaces. It is also being expanded to include workplaces in State/UT administration and smaller sectors as they onboard the platform.
The Role of MWCD
The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is the nodal body overseeing the implementation of the Sexual Harassment Act. The ministry regularly issues advisories and organizes workshops to raise awareness and encourage compliance among employers. The SHe-Box portal is part of the government’s broader effort to create a more transparent, accountable, and supportive environment for women in the workforce.
A Step Towards Safer Workplaces
With the launch of the SHe-Box portal, women across India now have a more accessible platform to report workplace harassment, and employers are held accountable for their responsibilities. By centralizing complaints, the government aims to improve the enforcement of the law and foster a culture of respect and security at work.
This initiative signals a step forward in making workplaces safer for women, ensuring that sexual harassment is addressed effectively, transparently, and within a legal framework that prioritizes the rights and dignity of women.
