The prevention of sexual harassment at workplaces has increasingly become a significant area of legal and institutional compliance in India. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (“PoSH Act”) establishes a statutory framework for the prevention and redressal of workplace sexual harassment and imposes obligations upon employers to create safe and inclusive working environments.

The MWCD has also undertaken multiple stakeholder engagement initiatives with ministries, regulatory authorities, educational institutions, industrial chambers, and other public bodies to promote wider participation and awareness regarding the portal. Training programmes and hybrid workshops have been conducted to address implementation challenges and facilitate onboarding by both government and private establishments. These initiatives are intended to improve institutional understanding of statutory obligations under the PoSH Act and encourage effective grievance management practices.

The MWCD has also engaged with various establishments empanelled with it, including law firms, companies, and other stakeholders, through regular training programmes, workshops, and awareness initiatives. The Ministry has also consistently sought to understand the practical challenges and ground-level realities faced by these establishments in conducting trainings and effectively implementing the provisions of the PoSH within organisations. Additionally, efforts are being made to identify and examine the reasons why certain companies remain reluctant or hesitant to fully implement PoSH mechanisms in their workplaces. In light of these ongoing efforts, organisations may expect increased scrutiny, audits, and closer monitoring with respect to compliance and implementation of PoSH requirements.

The SHe-Box portal places significant emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity. The portal has been integrated with the Mission Shakti mobile application and is available across Android and iOS platforms. Further, multilingual support in 23 languages has been introduced to improve accessibility for women across diverse sectors, including workers in remote and unorganised workplaces. The portal also hosts awareness materials, FAQs, handbooks, audio-visual resources, and training manuals to support organisations in implementing PoSH compliance measures effectively.

The development of the SHe-Box Portal reflects the growing adoption of technology-enabled governance for labour and workplace compliance in India. While the PoSH Act already imposes statutory obligations regarding constitution of Internal Committees, awareness programmes, and grievance redressal mechanisms, the portal introduces a centralized compliance ecosystem that may further strengthen transparency and accountability. The initiative also highlights the increasing regulatory focus on workplace safety, gender sensitivity, and accessible reporting mechanisms within both organised and unorganised sectors. Employers are therefore expected to adopt a proactive and robust approach towards implementation of the PoSH.

Written by Adv. K. Sri Hamsa Reviewed by Adv. Vamsi Mohana