The Sexual Harassment Electronic Box (SHe-Box) is an initiative of the Government of India to provide a single point of contact for every woman, regardless of her employment status, whether in the organised or unorganized, private or public sector, to facilitate the filing of sexual harassment complaints.Any woman facing sexual harassment at the workplace can register their complaint through this portal. Once a complaint is submitted to the "SHe-Box," it will be directly sent to the concerned authority having jurisdiction to take action in the matter.
The members of the state or central panel's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) are the ones who receive the complaints.To enforce She-Box effectively, MWCD intimated under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act (the SH Act), 2013. The act provides a safety measure to all women registering at the portal by securing all the information, such as address, names of witnesses, inquiry proceedings, or any action taken by the employer. MWCD strictly states that a breach of confidentiality will result in a fine of Rs. 5,000.
SHe-Box Online Registration:
SHe-box's goal is as follows:
• Provide a safe environment for all working women.
• Provide a remedy more quickly.
• Eradicate hostile or humiliating treatment at the workplace.
• Protect the rights and status of women at the workplace.
• Promote SHe-box through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media pages to reach out to every working woman in the country.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is of two kinds:
1. Quid pro quo is a Latin term that literally means "this for that." Quid pro quo sexual harassment means subjecting a woman to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature on account of the following:
2. to force the woman to agree with such conduct by promising or threatening her (explicitly or implicitly) with preferential or detrimental treatment in her job. For example, if you agree to accompany me on a study tour, I will give you a promotion; if you refuse, I will transfer you to another place.
3. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by the woman is used as the basis for deciding the future course of her job. For example, if you refuse to obey my demand, I will not renew your contract.
Hostile work environment: the creation of a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment with the purpose of unreasonably interfering with a woman's work performance or subjecting a woman to humiliating treatment likely to affect her health and safety.
What kind of punishment could be awarded under the Act?
• As prescribed under the Service Rules
• In the event that service rules do not exist,
▪︎ Disciplinary action including a written apology, reprimand, warning, and censure
▪︎ withholding of a promotion, raise in pay, or increment
▪︎ Termination of employment
▪︎ Undergo counselling
▪︎ Community service
Deduction from salary for:
▪︎ Mental trauma, pain, suffering, and emotional distress caused
▪︎ Medical expenses incurred
▪︎ The loss of a professional opportunity
▪︎ The income and financial status of the respondent
▪︎ If the amount is not paid, it can be recovered as arrears in land revenue.
Age Requirements for SHe-Box Registration:
To register at SHe-box, the individual must be at least 18 years old.
For individuals younger than 18, the MWCD states that an FIR should be filed for proceedings.
Note: Individuals above 18 years can register at SHe-box and file an FIR.
Written By:
Sandhya Bonigala [2nd Year, BA.LLB(Hons.)] under the guidance of Dr. Nagalatha Bathina, Associate Professor, Vignan Institute of Law.
Editorial Director:
Dr. Nagalatha Bathina, Associate Professor, Vignan Institute of Law.
Editors:
Dr. Praveen Kumar, Director, Vignan Institute of Law
Mr. L. Ashish Kumar, Assistant Professor, Vignan Institute of Law
Blog Managed By:
Taj Mahamood Baig [2nd Year, BA.LLB(Hons.)]