SHe-Box to Play a Key Role in Protecting Women’s Dignity at the Workplace

New Delhi: Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Government of India has transformed women empowerment from a mere slogan into a strong policy framework backed by institutional support and effective implementation. One such major initiative reflecting this vision is the SHe-Box portal, designed to strengthen the protection of women’s dignity, safety, and justice at workplaces across the country.

The portal has been developed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and is being seen as a powerful digital mechanism to ensure that women can work in a secure, respectful, and harassment-free environment.

Women-Led Development at the Core of India’s Vision 2047

Speaking on the initiative, Union Minister Savitri Thakur stated that the government’s vision for India’s 100th year of independence in 2047 places women-led development at the center of national progress. Recognizing the decisive role of women in inclusive economic growth, the government is focused on creating workspaces that are safe, sensitive, and supportive, where women can work with confidence and dignity.

A major pillar supporting this commitment is the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).

A Strong Digital Platform for Women’s Safety

In the last decade, the Modi government has taken multiple steps to ensure the effective implementation of the POSH Act through digital governance. In this direction, the SHe-Box portal was re-launched on August 29, 2024, with improved technical features to strengthen transparency and faster grievance redressal.

With women’s participation in the workforce rising significantly, workplace safety has become more critical than ever. Official data shows that India’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate increased from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24, highlighting the growing need for strong safety mechanisms.

Direct Complaint Registration and Faster Resolution

The SHe-Box portal provides a centralized database of Internal Committees (IC) and Local Committees (LC) formed across the country. Through this platform, women can directly register complaints with the concerned IC or LC, reducing delays and ensuring a more streamlined grievance process.

The portal also enables complainants to track the status of their complaint online, enhancing transparency and accountability.

Ensuring Complete Confidentiality

Aligned with the Prime Minister’s Digital India vision, SHe-Box allows women to file complaints in a secure and confidential manner. Once a complaint is submitted, it is forwarded directly to the relevant committee.

To protect the identity of the victim, only the Presiding Officer of the Internal Committee is allowed to access complaint details, ensuring strict confidentiality.

Government Monitoring for Timely Action

Under the POSH Act, complaints must be investigated and resolved within a 90-day time limit. To ensure timely disposal, the Ministry actively monitors cases through dashboard alerts, emails, and message notifications.

This proactive system reflects the government’s commitment to accountability and result-driven governance.

A Portal of Trust for Millions of Women

With more than 10 crore women connected to Self Help Groups (SHGs) and an increasing number of women joining formal workplaces for the first time, SHe-Box is being seen as a platform that strengthens women’s trust in institutional support and government protection.

Strengthening Institutional Coordination

Under SHe-Box, coordination is ensured between the nodal officers, employers, committees, and complainants, making sure that complaints are not only registered but also acted upon effectively.

The portal is also available in multiple languages, making it accessible and user-friendly for women across different regions of the country.

A Step Towards Fearless and Empowered Workplaces

The SHe-Box initiative is emerging as a major step towards empowering women to work fearlessly, with dignity and confidence. By ensuring faster grievance redressal, confidentiality, and government monitoring, the portal is expected to play a vital role in building safer workplaces and strengthening women’s participation in India’s development journey.