The ministry for women and child development is planning to carry out a national level survey to assess the extent of sexual harassment in workplace in India. WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi said though there are some studies on the issue, there is a need for a national level assessment.
Gandhi made the announcement while launching SHe-Box, an online portal for registering complaints related to sexual harassment in workplace. The facility can be availed by women working or visiting any office of the Central government, to file complaints under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act, 2013.
The portal will make redressal of the complaints easier. It will also enable the WCD ministry as well as the complainant to monitor the progress of the case. The government of India is the largest employer in the country, with a workforce of 30. 87 lakh. Of this, women comprise 10.33 per cent or 3.37 lakh.
The minister said while the facility is initially for Central government employees, it will be subsequently extended to the private sector, too.
