Uttar Pradesh Introduces SHe-Box for Safer Workplaces for Women

The Uttar Pradesh government is taking strong action to make workplaces safer for women with an improved website called SHe-Box. This platform makes it easier and faster for women to report any kind of harassment they face at work, ensuring they have a safe place to work.

                                                                             The Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, has asked all government and private companies to create Internal Committees to handle these complaints. So far, 84 departments have set up these committees, and the information is now available on the SHe-Box. This system is active in all 75 districts in the state.

                                                                             Any organization with 10 or more employees must have an Internal Committee that includes at least half women, with a woman as the leader. Even private companies must follow this rule. District Probation Officers will oversee the program, and support from NGOs will help protect women, especially those working in unorganized sectors.

                                                                             The Women Welfare Department wants every workplace to have an Internal Committee ready to deal with complaints of harassment quickly. If a company does not comply, they could face legal trouble. Each committee will have 4-5 members depending on the number of staff. This initiative is actively being supported by NGOs and monitored by the government.

                                                                            According to Anu Singh, who works for the Women and Child Development Department, the SHe-Box is an easy online tool that allows any woman, whether in a government or a private job, to report harassment. This includes unwanted touching, rude comments, or any kind of pressure for favors at work.

                                                                            Once a woman submits a complaint, it goes directly to the responsible committee, which must resolve it within 90 days. The platform keeps information private and gives the woman a tracking number to check her complaint’s status. Singh mentioned that this tool is particularly helpful for women in small towns and villages who might feel shy about reporting issues locally.

                                                                             This effort follows previous programs like Mission Shakti, which aimed to empower women and ensure their safety.