Press Information Bureau

In a significant move aimed at bolstering workplace safety for women, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, under the leadership of Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi, has launched the new SHe-Box portal in an event on 29 August 2024. The centralized platform is designed to create a repository of information related to Internal Committee (IC) and Local Committee (LC) established across the country and to streamline the registration and monitoring of complaints related to sexual harassment in the workplace.

The improved version of SHe-Box has feature to allow submission of complaints directly to the concerned IC or LC that will be chosen by the complainants. This will significantly reduce the delays and human interference in the complaint management system on Workplace related Sexual Harassment of women. The portal will be fully functional once all the Ministries/ Departments of Central Government, States/ UTs and the private sector update the information of their respective IC/ LC. The endeavour of the Ministry is to initially on-board the details of nodal officers and ICs of all Central Ministries/ Departments by October 2024.  The launch event, held in New Delhi, also saw the unveiling of a new website for the Ministry, both of which are expected to enhance the government's digital engagement with the public.

 A Major Step Against Workplace Harassment

The SHe-Box portal is a crucial component in the government's ongoing efforts to deter sexual harassment of women in workplaces across India. Serving as a centralized repository, the portal will store information about Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) formed across both government and private sectors. It offers a unified platform for women to file complaints, monitor their status, and ensure that complaints are processed in a timely manner by the relevant authorities.

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Smt. Annpurna Devi highlighted the importance of the portal in her speech, emphasizing that it will provide a more efficient and secure method for women to address workplace harassment. "This initiative furthers the government’s commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive working environment for women across India," she stated. The Minister also assured that the portal is designed to protect the privacy of complainants, ensuring that personal information remains confidential.

Enhancing Women's Participation in the Workforce

As India approaches its centenary in 2047, the government, under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has placed significant emphasis on women-led development. Recognizing the pivotal role of women in driving inclusive economic growth, the government has focused on creating a safe and secure environment that enables women to thrive in the workforce. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, which aims to protect women from sexual harassment and address their grievances, is a cornerstone of this effort.

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The newly launched SHe-Box portal represents a significant step forward in implementing the provisions of this Act. It ensures that complaints are not only registered but also actively monitored, providing a robust framework for addressing workplace harassment.

 The New Ministry Website

In addition to the SHe-Box portal, the Ministry of Women and Child Development also launched a newly developed website. This website is designed to create a cohesive visual identity across digital platforms, thereby enhancing the government’s engagement with both national and global audiences. As digital platforms increasingly become the primary point of contact for citizens, the new website is expected to play a key role in maintaining a strong and compelling online presence.

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 Empowering Women Through Digital Innovation

The launch of the SHe-Box portal is part of the broader vision of empowering women through digital innovation. By providing a single-window access for the registration of complaints related to sexual harassment, the portal is expected to significantly ease the process for women across the country, regardless of their work status or the sector they belong to. The SHe-Box is accessible to all women, whether they work in organized or unorganized sectors, in public or private organizations, or even as domestic workers.

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The portal also features a repository of resources related to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, including handbooks, training modules, and advisory documents. These resources are available in both Hindi and English and can be accessed or downloaded free of charge. The portal also includes videos aimed at raising awareness about the Act and its provisions.

 Conclusion

The launch of the SHe-Box portal marks a significant advancement in the government's efforts to create a safer and more equitable work environment for women in India. By integrating digital technology with legal frameworks, the portal ensures that women have a reliable and secure platform to address workplace harassment. This initiative, along with the new Ministry website, underscores the government's commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all women as India progresses towards its centenary in 2047.

References

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2049765

https://shebox.wcd.gov.in/about

https://shebox.wcd.gov.in/assets/usermanual/SheBoxUsermanual_DNO_Registration.pdf

https://x.com/MinistryWCD/status/940906670296670210/photo/2

https://x.com/MinistryWCD/status/1829174669792162018

Click here to see PDF.

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Santosh Kumar/ Sheetal Angral /Madiha Iqbal

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