SHe-Box: India’s Online Platform to Report Workplace Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment at the workplace isn’t just a personal violation — it’s a systemic issue that can impact a woman’s dignity, mental health, and career. Recognizing the need for a safe and accessible grievance mechanism, the Government of India launched SHe-Box — a bold step toward empowering women to report sexual harassment without fear or red tape.
What is SHe-Box?
SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment electronic–Box) is an online complaint management system developed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). It allows any woman — employed in government, private sector, or even the unorganized sector — to file a sexual harassment complaint related to her workplace.
Launched in 2017, the portal was initially made available to central government employees but was later expanded to cover all working women across India, making it a universal platform for reporting workplace sexual harassment.
Who Can File a Complaint?
Any woman who believes she has been sexually harassed at her workplace can file a complaint, regardless of:
- Her employment type (full-time, part-time, temporary, cCommercial establishments (IT, consultancy, advertising, etc.)
- The sector (government, private, informal)
- Whether the workplace is registered or not
The POSH Act, 2013 uses a broad definition of “aggrieved woman” and “workplace”, which even includes places visited during the course of work (such as transport provided by the employer).
How Does SHe-Box Work?
The process is straightforward and digital:
- Visit www.shebox.nic.in
- Click on “Register Your Complaint”
- Fill out the online form, which includes:
- Your details (name, contact, organization)
- Incident description
- Supporting documents (if any)
- Submit the complaint
Once submitted, the complaint is forwarded to the Internal Committee (IC) of your organization. If the employer has not constituted an IC (which is legally mandatory), it goes to the Local Committee (LC) set up by the district administration.
You will also receive an acknowledgment and a complaint number, which allows you to track the status online.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development monitors the progress and follow-up to ensure that the complaint is being addressed, although it does not directly investigate or adjudicate.
Legal Backing: POSH Act, 2013
The SHe-Box initiative is anchored in the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly referred to as the POSH Act.
- Section 1(5) of the Act expands the definition of workplace to include “any place visited by the employee arising out of or during the course of employment, including transportation provided by the employer.”
- Employers are legally required to constitute an Internal Committee and follow due procedure for every complaint received under the Act, including those routed through SHe-Box.
Why SHe-Box is a Game Changer
SHe-Box addresses a critical gap — many women don’t know where or how to file a complaint, or fear retaliation from their employer. The platform:
- Is accessible nationwide
- Allows for confidential online filing
- Applies to formal and informal sectors
- Provides transparency and tracking
- Creates accountability for organizations and local authorities
For thousands of women, it serves as a safe first step toward justice.
Are There Challenges?
Yes — like any large system, SHe-Box also faces hurdles:
- Lack of awareness among women in rural and unorganized sectors
- Digital literacy limitations
- Some organizations still fail to constitute Internal Committees, despite the legal requirement
- Enforcement and follow-up often depend on the proactiveness of local authorities
Yet, the platform has led to increased visibility and discussion, pushing more organizations toward compliance.
In Conclusion
SHe-Box isn’t just a complaint portal — it’s a message. A message that harassment at work is not okay, that silence is not the only option, and that the government is listening.
If you're a woman who has faced harassment at work — whether you're a teacher, IT professional, factory worker, or a domestic help — you don’t have to suffer in silence. SHe-Box is there for you.
