The She-Box Portal, launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, aims to create safer workplaces for women. It allows women from both organized and unorganized sectors to register complaints of sexual harassment online. With real-time monitoring and tracking, the portal ensures transparency and swift redressal, strengthening the implementation of the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013.
About She-Box Portal
The Union Minstry of Women and Child Development launched She-Box portal to make safer environment for women in workplace. It is a centralised platform to register complaints of sexual harassment pf in the workplace. It is a single window system to register complaints of sexual harassment where employed women of both organised and unorganised sector can make their complaints. The portal has real time monitoring system and transparency where women can track the status of their complaints. It is an online system designed to help in better implementation of various provisions of ‘The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013’ (SH Act).
Key Provisions of She-box
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A nodal officer will be designated for every workplace who will ensure updation of data on a real basis to ensure effective and efficient working.
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Complaints can be filed by an aggrieved person or any other person on her behalf.
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A real time monitoring system to maintain better transparency, tracking of status of theri complaints and on time working of the cases.
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To maintain confidentiality of details of the complaints registered only inter committes (IC) or Local Committees (LC) can see the details of the complaints.
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The SHe-Box portal can be accessed at https://shebox.wcd.gov.in/.
Sexual harassment at workplace 2013
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly referred to as the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013 has been implemented to prevent and address sexual harassment faced by women at their workplaces.
Key provision:
Definition: The act of sexual harassment includes any unwelcome behaviour, physical touch, verbal or non-verbal or any act that violates the dignity of women. It includes:
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Physical contact and advances
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Demand or request for sexual favors
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Making sexually colored remarks
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Showing pornography
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Any other unwelcome physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC): every workplace with 10 or more employees need to constitute an internal Complaints Committee to address sexual harassment complaints.
Headed by women with two women members and a an expert (of women rights)
Complaints must be addressed within 90 days of the date from which complaints has been made.
Confidentiality must be maintained
Redressal: If harassment is proven, disciplinary action is taken against the offender, and compensation can be awarded to the victim.
No Retaliation: Retaliation against the complainant or witnesses is prohibited. Any retaliation or victimization can be treated as a separate violation under the law.
Penalties: This act also includes penalties against false complaints
Benefits:
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Empowerment of women
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Safer workplaces
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Inclusive work environment
Conclusion
The She-Box Portal is a significant step towards ensuring safer workplaces for women in India. By offering a centralized platform for complaints and real-time monitoring, it promotes transparency and accountability. This initiative empowers women, strengthens the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, and fosters a more inclusive and respectful work environment.
