Why in news?
The Ministry of Women and Child Development highlighted improvements to the Sexual Harassment electronic Box (SHeโBox) portal under the Mission Shakti initiative. A news release in June 2026 described the portal as a singleโwindow platform for registering and tracking workplace sexualโharassment complaints.
Background
The SHeโBox was launched in 2017 to operationalise the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Its upgraded version, SHeโBox 2.0, launched on 29 August 2024, combines multiple services and ensures faster complaint resolution. Mission Shakti, an umbrella scheme of the government, integrates various programmes for womenโs safety and empowerment.
Key features
- Centralised complaints: The portal serves as a repository of information on Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees across government and private sectors. Women can lodge complaints and track their status in real time.
- Confidentiality and accessibility: SHeโBox provides a secure, confidential interface accessible to women from organised and unorganised sectors. It supports 22 languages, including Hindi and English.
- Stakeholder coordination: The portal enables seamless communication among complainants, ICs and nodal officers, ensuring timeโbound processing of cases.
Significance
- Enhanced accountability: By digitising complaint management, SHeโBox reduces delays and improves oversight under the 2013 Act.
- Womenโs empowerment: Accessible reporting mechanisms encourage more women to speak up against workplace harassment without fear of stigma or retaliation.
- Mission Shakti integration: The portal complements broader initiatives aimed at womenโs safety, such as awareness campaigns, skill development and economic empowerment.
Conclusion
SHeโBox 2.0 represents a significant step in safeguarding womenโs rights at work. By providing a simple interface for lodging and tracking complaints, it strengthens legal remedies and helps create safer workplaces. Continued awareness and efficient handling of cases will determine its longโterm impact.