Jammu, Mar 19: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday outlined its efforts to tackle sexual harassment in workplaces, following a query from MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania in the Legislative Assembly. The government highlighted the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, which aims to ensure safer working environments for women across sectors.
The government informed the House that the Act, enacted by the Government of India, is applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. It provides a comprehensive framework for protecting women in both the organised and unorganised sectors, regardless of their job status or hierarchical position. The law defines sexual harassment broadly, covering acts such as threats, promises of employment benefits, creation of hostile work environments, and treatment that may affect a woman’s health or safety.
The government also highlighted the establishment of an online complaint management system, the She-Box, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). The She-Box allows women to lodge complaints related to workplace harassment and provides a centralized platform for redress. Mission Director, Mission Safety, has been designated as the nodal officer for the initiative in Jammu and Kashmir.
At the district level, District Social Welfare Officers have been assigned to manage the She-Box portal, with login credentials already provided to them. However, the government reported that no complaints have been filed either through the portal or directly to district nodal officers since its launch.
To raise awareness, the government is organizing district-level campaigns through the District Hub for the Empowerment of Women. These programs aim to educate employees about their rights and the mechanisms available to address workplace harassment. IEC materials are being distributed during these programs to inform the public about grievance redressal processes.
On monitoring compliance with the Act, the government confirmed that registering a complaint through the She-Box requires a valid email ID and mobile number. Once a complaint is submitted, it is forwarded to the relevant authority for action. The government added that while the portal has been updated with detailed information, it remains open for lodging complaints.
