SHE Box: Empowering women in the workplace through a grievance redressal system

In a society striving for gender equality, the workplace becomes a crucial battleground. Women’s empowerment in the professional sphere is not just about equal opportunities; it’s also about fostering an environment free from discrimination and harassment. To address these concerns and provide a platform for women to voice their grievances, the Indian government introduced the Sexual Harassment Electronic Box (SHE Box). This innovative initiative aims to create a safer and more inclusive work culture by streamlining the process of reporting and resolving instances of sexual harassment at the workplace.

The SHE Box is an online complaint management system launched by the ministry of women and child development in 2017 in India. It operates as an electronic platform for registering and addressing complaints related to sexual harassment at the workplace. This initiative is in line with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act), which mandates organizations to establish an Internal Committee (IC) and implement a robust mechanism for dealing with sexual harassment cases.

Procedure

1. Accessing the SHE Box portal: To initiate the process, an aggrieved woman can access the SHE Box portal https://shebox.nic.in/, which provides a user-friendly interface for filing complaints. The portal is designed to ensure confidentiality and ease of use.
2. Filling up the complaint form: The complainant is required to fill out a detailed complaint form available on the SHE Box portal. The form includes sections for providing personal details, information about the accused, a narrative of the incident, and any supporting documents.
3. Document upload: The complainant has the option to upload relevant documents or evidence supporting the complaint. This could include emails, messages, or any other documentation that substantiates the claims made in the complaint.
4. Maintaining confidentiality: An essential feature of SHE Box is the emphasis on maintaining the confidentiality of the Complainant. The system ensures that the identity of the person filing the complaint is protected throughout the process.
5. Forwarding to the IC: Once the complaint is submitted, it is forwarded to the Internal Committee (IC) of the respective organization. The IC is responsible for conducting an impartial inquiry into the matter.
6. Investigation by IC: The IC reviews the complaint, conducts an investigation, and ensures a fair and unbiased inquiry. The committee follows the principles of natural justice and allows both the Complainant and the Respondent an opportunity to present their side of the story.
7. Action against the respondent: Based on the findings of the IC, appropriate action is taken against the respondent if the complaint is proven. This could range from disciplinary actions to termination, depending on the severity of the offense.
8. Status tracking: The SHE Box portal allows the complainant to track the status of their complaint in real-time. This transparency ensures that individuals are kept informed about the progress of their case.

The SHE Box initiative represents a significant stride towards creating safer workplaces for women in India. By providing a secure and confidential platform for reporting instances of sexual harassment, it contributes to building a culture of accountability. The procedure involved in SHE Box has been created to ensure a systematic and unbiased handling of complaints, promoting a safe workplace environment.