Government Strengthens SHe-Box Portal
The Uttar Pradesh government is enhancing the SHe-Box portal to combat workplace harassment against women. This upgraded digital platform aims to provide swift and secure complaint resolution, ensuring a safe and respectful working environment.
Mandatory Internal Committees
Following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives, Internal Committees have become mandatory across all government and private institutions throughout Uttar Pradesh. Currently, 84 departments have already established these committees and uploaded the required details to the SHe-Box portal, with the framework now operational in all 75 districts.
Organizations with 10 or more employees must create an Internal Committee with at least 50% women members and a female chairperson. This requirement extends to private organizations as well, with District Probation Officers responsible for monitoring implementation. NGOs have been engaged to protect women in unorganized sectors.
Legal Compliance Requirements
The Women Welfare Department has mandated that every institution establish an Internal Committee to register and promptly resolve workplace harassment complaints. Non-compliance will result in legal action, with each committee comprising 4-5 members based on staff size. The initiative is being actively implemented with NGO support under departmental supervision.
How the SHe-Box Portal Works
According to Anu Singh, Deputy Director and Nodal Officer of the Women and Child Development Department, the SHe-Box is a single-window online platform where any woman in government or private employment can file sexual harassment complaints. This includes unwanted physical contact, inappropriate gestures, offensive comments, or demands made in exchange for work.
Once submitted, complaints are sent directly to the relevant internal or local committee, which must resolve them within 90 days. The portal maintains complete confidentiality and provides complainants with tracking IDs to monitor their case status. This system is particularly beneficial for women in small towns and villages who might feel hesitant to file complaints locally.
Continuing Women’s Empowerment Initiatives
The SHe-Box enhancement follows previous initiatives like Mission Shakti, through which the Yogi government has consistently promoted women’s empowerment throughout Uttar Pradesh.
