Government received 391 complaints of sexual harassment

Smriti Irani gave information in Parliament

Union Minister Smriti Irani told Parliament that a total of 391 complaints related to sexual harassment of women have been received from various ministries. The Ministry of Women and Child Development had developed an online grievance management system, named as Sexual Harassment Electronic Box (C-Box), to facilitate registration of complaints related to sexual harassment of women at workplace. Through this, so many complaints related to sexual harassment have been received. This electronic box has been developed for women so that they can register complaints through it. He said the analysis of cases shows that many cases are related to only two sexual assaults. He said that in many cases one person had given several complaints against one person and 32 complaints were related to violence against women, dowry harassment and suggestions. Irani said neither of the two sexual harassment cases pertained to the ministry’s workplace. Irani said 150 complaints have been received since January 2020. She-Box allows registration of sexual harassment complaints at workplaces. Once the complaint is registered, it directly reaches the concerned authority having jurisdiction to take action in the matter.

Irani said that the Center has issued advisories to state and union territory governments and central ministries and departments to strictly implement the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, so that women-friendly work. environment can be created. Smriti Irani said that providing safe working environment to women in the country is top priority for the government. Keeping this in view, the Government has enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Redressal and Grievance Redressal) Act, 2013.