Understanding the SHe-Box Portal: Registration & Role in Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment

For every organisation in India, ensuring a safe and respectful workplace is its legal and moral responsibility. According to the PoSH Act, 2013, employers are required to provide a secure environment and create processes to address complaints of sexual harassment of women at the workplace. To support this framework, the Government of India introduced the SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment electronic Box) Portal, an online, user-friendly platform that supports employees to lodge complaints confidentially and track their progress. For organisations, registering on the platform not only indicates compliance but also strengthens their workplace safety, transparency, and employee well-being aligned with the set regulations.

The SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment electronic Box) Portal is an online platform launched by the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD), Government of India, to ensure the safety of women at the workplace. It was put into action by the government to ensure the enforcement of the PoSH Act, 2013.

This portal serves as a centralised digital system which allows women employees, irrespective of working in the private or public sector, to file complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace. On submission, the complaint is forwarded to the applicable authority, local committee or Internal Complaints Committee/Internal Committee (ICC/IC) for redressal.

This step from the government means that there is a single point of redressal of grievances, timely actions, and greater assurance of safe workplaces, promoting a positive working environment. The SHe-Box platform underpins India’s commitment to empower women and thereby promote inclusive and sexual harassment-free workspaces.

All organisations covered under the PoSH Act are required to register and act in accordance with guidelines created by the government. Any workplace, whether in the organised or unorganised, private or public sector, that has 10 or more employees must register on the SHe-Box Portal and ensure that the details of their ICC members and the nodal officers are uploaded. The details, which may include the names and contact information of its members, must be uploaded on the organisation’s portal and, where applicable, registered on the SHe-Box Portal for accountability.

In cases where these requirements are not met, organisations may be subject to penalties and legal consequences and may suffer damage to their reputation. With proper registration and compliance, organisations meet their legal obligations and display responsibility in creating a secure and inclusive environment for all their employees.

The SHe-Box Portal plays an important part in promoting workplace safety and is a safety net for organisations to ensure they are handling their responsibilities under the PoSH Act. The SHe-Box Portal is a confidential, accessible platform for women to report sexual harassment which encourages employees to speak without being intimidated or stigmatised, fostering dignity and respect.

For the employer, the portal is serving as a legal mandate to provide a mechanism for redressal, provide transparency, and act quickly when an employee raises a complaint. Compliance protects the organisation from penalties and maintains credibility and reputation as a responsible workplace. Compliance aside, the SHe-Box Portal also fosters trust and confidence between employees. Members of the organisation acknowledge when their workplace supports such initiatives, and when employees feel valued and safe, enhanced engagement, productivity, and workplace harmony are a direct result.

Designed as a simple, centralised online complaint management system, the portal helps both employees and organisations manage sexual harassment complaints effectively.

For Employees:

Female employees can raise a complaint by registering on the portal using their basic information. The complaint is thereafter safely submitted and is automatically sent to the concerned Internal Complaints Committee (ICC/IC) of the organisation. The status of the complaint can also be tracked by the employee using the portal, maintaining transparency in the redressal process. This step-by-step process offers visibility, prompt updates, and accountability in the entire redressal process.

For Organisations:

Organisations must register their Internal Complaints Committee (ICC/IC) details on the portal. This includes information about the members. This is necessary to meet the requirements of the PoSH Act. Once registered, organisations can receive and manage complaints, submit updates on actions taken, and upload their IC Annual Reports directly on the portal. This creates a centralised mechanism that allows monitoring by the Ministry of Women & Child Development and strengthens trust in workplace safety standards.

Organisations defined under the PoSH Act, 2013, should ensure that they register on the SHe-Box Portal as soon as their Internal Complaints Committee (ICC/IC) is constituted, to be compliant from the start and be ready to address complaints quickly. In addition to the initial registration, organisations must regularly update their ICC details when there is any change in members. Furthermore, organisations are also expected to file their annual reports on the portal every year, highlighting the number of cases received, disposed of, and pending. Registered and timely filed reports signify accountability and commitment of the organisation towards the safety of women at the workplace.

The SHe-Box Portal adds value to employees, organisations, and regulators by creating a transparent and accountable grievance redressal system.

• For Employees: It provides a safe and confidential platform to report incidents of sexual harassment and ensures accessibility for women in both public and private sectors. By allowing them to track complaints online, the portal supports fairness, timely updates, and greater trust in the redressal process.
• For Organisations: Registering on the portal displays legal compliance with the PoSH Act while promoting transparency and accountability. It also reduces the risk of disputes escalating into litigation, in that way, protecting the organisation’s reputation. It also helps organisations strengthen employee confidence by showing commitment to workplace safety.
• For Regulators: The portal provides a centralised database that enables the Ministry of Women & Child Development to monitor compliance, track case resolutions, and identify patterns or gaps. This helps in shaping policies, improving enforcement, and improving the overall structure that supports safe work environments.

To access the SHe-Box Portal, you can visit the official website of the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD) (https://shebox.wcd.gov.in/)

Organisations may follow a few simple SHe-Box steps to register:

Log in as Head Office Nodal Officer (NO)

Sign in as Private Chairperson

Conclusion

The SHe-Box Portal is a powerful initiative that promotes safe, inclusive, and respectful workplaces across India. By offering a secure platform for employees to raise complaints and enabling organisations to stay compliant with the PoSH Act, 2013, it builds accountability and trust. For employers, timely registration and regular reporting are not just legal obligations but also display their commitment to employee well-being. Adopting the portal ultimately strengthens workplace culture and ensures dignity for every individual.

Is your organisation fully applying the SHe-Box Portal for PoSH compliance? Complykaro provides compliance support, ICC/IC training, PoSH Training in India, and workplace sensitisation programmes tailored to your needs. Contact us today to strengthen your workplace safety framework.