Centre Launches Electronic-Box (She-Box) For Registering Complaints Related To Sexual Harassment At Workplace

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, on Monday, launched the “SHe-box” – an online complaint box – that will be hosted at the Ministry’s website (www.wcd.nic.in), for Government employees who face sexual harassment or abuse at work.

“This portal is an initiative to provide a platform to women working or visiting any office of Central Government (Central Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies and Institutions etc.) to file complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace under the SH Act. Those who had already filed a written complaint with the concerned Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) constituted under the SH Act are also eligible to file their complaint through this portal,” a release said.

Elaborating on the necessity and importance of the mechanism, the release further states, “Ensuring the dignity and safety of women must be first priority for any digital society. Towards realisation of the vision of the Digital India programme, the Ministry is promoting utilisation of information and communication technology to achieve the goal of gender equality and women empowerment. It is an effort to utilise the digital space to enable speedier response to the complaints of women against sexual harassment at workplace.” 

It goes on to explain that after submission of the complaint, it will be sent to the ICC of the concerned Ministry/Department/PSU/Autonomous Body with jurisdiction to look into it. The portal would enable the Ministry to monitor the progress of inquiry conducted by the ICC.

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Maneka Gandhi also said that the facility will soon be extended to women employees of the private sector as well. Besides, a national survey for an assessment and understanding of the magnitude of the problem is also on the cards.

Also present at the launch were the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Ms. Krishna Raj; Secretary WCD, Mr. Rakesh Srivastava and Senior Officers of the Ministry as well as its associated organizations.