Context: The Minister of State for Women and Child Development (MWCD), addressed in the Lok Sabha, about the safety and security of women in the country as the top priority and major steps taken by the government.
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- The government has enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (SH Act) to protect women from workplace harassment.
- The Act defines sexual harassment comprehensively, addressing threats, hostile work environments or humiliating treatment that affects a woman’s health or safety.
- To support this, the SHe-Box portal allows women to register complaints related to workplace sexual harassment, regardless of their work status or sector.
- Once a complaint is submitted, it is directly sent to the appropriate authority for action.
- It mandates employers to create a safe environment, with organizations of over 10 employees required to establish an Internal Committee (IC), and those with fewer than 10 employees to set up a Local Committee (LC).
- Launch of the SHe-Box Portal
- On October 19, 2024, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) launched the SHe-Box portal, a centralized system for filing and tracking complaints related to sexual harassment.
- The portal enables complainants to submit complaints directly to the relevant IC or LC, reducing delays and human interference in the process.
- Features and Benefits
- The SHe-Box portal provides a unified platform for women to file complaints, monitor their status, and ensure timely resolution.
- It will be fully functional once all Ministries, Departments, and private sector organizations provide details of their respective ICs and LCs.
- Empowering Women Through Digital Innovation
- The launch of the SHe-Box portal aligns with the government’s broader vision of empowering women through digital technology.
- The portal offers resources on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, including training materials, handbooks, and advisory documents, available in both Hindi and English.
- Along with the SHe-Box portal, MWCD also launched a new website to enhance digital engagement with the public and the website aims to create a cohesive visual identity and strengthen the government’s online presence.
- The SHe-Box portal is a significant move toward ensuring a safer and more inclusive working environment for women in India.
- By integrating digital technology with legal frameworks, it provides women with a reliable platform to address workplace harassment, furthering the government’s commitment to women’s safety and empowerment