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India's Workplace Safety Push: 1.5 Lakh Firms Onboard SHe-Box Portal

Union Minister Annpurna Devi emphasized that women's workplace safety is a national commitment, not just a legal rule, at a national conference. She cited over 1.48 lakh institutions registered on the SHe-Box portal and a significant rise in women's labour force participation. MoS Savitri Thakur highlighted supporting data, including 70% of Mudra loans going to women. Officials underscored that legislative tools like the PoSH Act are building a nationwide safety architecture for working women.

Key Points: Women's Safety at Workplace: SHe-Box Portal & PoSH Act Progress

  • Over 1.48 lakh institutions on SHe-Box portal
  • Female labour force participation rises to 42%
  • Over 60,000 Internal Committees active
  • PoSH Act strengthens accountability
3 min read

Committed to women's safety at workplace: WCD Minister Annpurna Devi

Union Ministers highlight progress on women's workplace safety via SHe-Box portal, rising female labour force participation, and the vision for Viksit Bharat.

Committed to women's safety at workplace: WCD Minister Annpurna Devi
"Women's safety at the workplace is not merely a statutory requirement but a reflection of the nation's commitment to justice and equality. - Annpurna Devi"

New Delhi, Feb 14

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi said on Saturday that women's safety at the workplace is not merely a statutory requirement but a reflection of the nation's commitment to justice and equality.

Addressing a National Conference on Safety of Women at Workplace (SHe-Box), the Minister said that with over 1.48 lakh institutions registered on the SHe-Box portal, more than 60,000 Internal Committees functioning actively, and female labour force participation rising from 23 per cent to 42 per cent in the past six years, India is witnessing a decisive shift towards accountability and women-led development.

Referring to the historic Budget allocation of over Rs 5 lakh crore, she reiterated that women's dignity, security, and economic empowerment remain central to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, and that a truly developed India will be one where every woman can work and lead without fear.

Union Minister of State (MoS) Savitri Thakur underscored that workplace safety is a fundamental right.

She highlighted the broader ecosystem of empowerment that has strengthened women's participation in the economy - from the rise in women's labour force participation to nearly 41.7 per cent in 2023-24, to 70 per cent of Mudra loans being extended to women, 44 per cent of PM SVANidhi beneficiaries being women, and over 10 crore women being connected through 90 lakh Self-Help Groups.

She emphasised that while these figures reflect progress, the goal is to ensure that every woman feels safe, respected, and empowered in every sphere of life.

Echoing these sentiments, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha, highlighted that ensuring women's safety at the workplace is integral to India's constitutional commitment to equality and justice.

He noted that legislative and institutional mechanisms such as the PoSH Act and the SHe-Box portal strengthen transparency, accountability, and trust across sectors.

A thematic film titled "Safe Workplaces as Drivers of Viksit Bharat through Equality and Economic Participation of Women" was also screened.

A nationwide PoSH training video was also screened. The Ministry of Labour and Employment shared insights on the role of the new Labour Codes in promoting safe workplaces.

Earlier, Women and Child Development Secretary Anil Malik highlighted the scale of institutional progress made through SHe-Box, stating that with over 1.5 lakh workplaces onboarded and Local Committees active in every district, a nationwide safety architecture has been established.

At the same time, he underlined that with women's labour force participation at 42 per cent and over 80 per cent of women engaged in the informal sector, sustained efforts are essential to ensure comprehensive coverage and protection.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see the government's focus. However, the real test is on the ground. We have strong laws like the PoSH Act, but implementation in smaller towns and the informal sector is weak. My sister works in a small private firm, and they don't even have an Internal Committee. The statistics are promising, but the experience for many women is still different.
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Sarah B
As someone who has worked in both India and the US, I appreciate the structured approach here. The data on Mudra loans and SHGs is impressive—it shows economic empowerment is being linked with safety. A safe workplace is indeed a fundamental right, not a privilege.
A
Aditya G
The budget allocation is historic, no doubt. But the key is how these funds are utilised at the district and block level. Training videos and conferences are good for awareness, but we need more grassroots monitoring to ensure every woman, especially in the unorganised sector (which is 80%!), feels protected. Jai Hind.
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Nisha Z
This makes me hopeful for my daughter's future. The fact that they are talking about "working without fear" is the core issue. It's not just about laws, it's about changing the mindset. The 1.5 lakh workplaces on SHe-Box is a good start. More power to our women! 💪
K
Karthik V
A respectful criticism: While the portal and committees are great, the article doesn't mention the resolution rate of complaints. How many cases registered on SHe-Box have been resolved satisfactorily? Transparency in outcomes is as important as the infrastructure. Otherwise, it's just a number.

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