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Picture Courtesy: https://www.thestatesman.com/india/she-box-everything-govt-portal-complaints-sexual-harassment-work-1502695131.html

 

Context:

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the SHe-Box portal.

About SHe-Box Portal

• The portal serves as a centralized platform for women to register complaints related to sexual harassment in their workplaces.
• It consolidates information about Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) established in both government and private sectors.
• The portal aims to streamline the complaint process, ensuring that cases are handled efficiently and effectively.

Key Features of the SHe-Box Portal

• Centralised Repository: It provides a single platform where women can lodge complaints, which simplifies the reporting process. This centralization helps avoid confusion and provides easy access to relevant information.
• Real-Time Monitoring: It allows for real-time tracking of complaints, ensuring transparency in the handling of each case. A designated nodal officer is responsible for overseeing the complaints, which enhances accountability.
• Time-Bound assured Redressal: The platform ensures that complaints are taken seriously and addressed properly, providing a sense of security to women who may have previously felt hesitant to report incidents.

Significance of the SHe-Box Portal

• The portal is crucial for developing a safe working environment for women.
• It recognizes the barriers women face when reporting harassment and provides a more accessible and supportive framework.
• This initiative aligns with various international standards for women’s rights and workplace safety, such as the International Labour Organization's conventions on violence and harassment in the world of work.

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013

• The Act covers all women in both organised and unorganised sectors, including domestic workers, students, and tourists. Offices, factories, hotels, and houses are all covered under the Act.
• Employers must establish an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) with at least one-half female members to handle complaints of sexual harassment.
• A Local Complaints Committee (LCC) is set up for workplaces with less than 10 employees.
• A woman can file a complaint within 3 months of the incident to the ICC or LCC.
• Employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment, displaying penalties for sexual harassment, and conducting awareness programs.
• The ICC or LCC must complete an inquiry within 90 days and provide recommendations to the employer or district officer, who must act within 60 days.
• The Act also includes penalties for false complaints and non-compliance with its provisions.

 

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PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT (PoSH) ACT 2013

Source:

NEWS18

She Box

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. What is the main objective of the SHe-Box portal introduced recently by the Government? A) To provide legal advice to women B) To serve as a single-window access for women to report sexual harassment complaints C) To conduct training programs for women D) To publish annual reports on workplace harassment   Answer: B Explanation: The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a new SHe-Box portal to address sexual harassment at workplaces. This portal serves as a centralized platform for registering and monitoring complaints of sexual harassment of women in the workplace.