Context
The Indian Railways has strengthened its workplace safety framework by launching a technology-driven grievance mechanism. This initiative, aligned with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, aims to provide a secure environment for women employees. It modernizes the implementation of the 1997 Vishakha guidelines through digital integration.
About SHINE: Sexual Harassment Incident Notification for Empowerment
- Launch Occasion: The app became operational on International Women’s Day (8th March).
- System Integration: SHINE is integrated with the Human Resources Management System (HRMS) and the ‘Employee Self Service’ system.
- Confidentiality: The platform is designed to maintain strict confidentiality while addressing issues effectively with relevant authorities.
Expanded Scope and Inclusive Protection
- Direct Beneficiaries: Primarily designed for women employees of the Indian Railways to lodge complaints about sexual harassment at the workplace.
- Third-Party Reporting: In a significant move for inclusivity, the app allows for reporting incidents on behalf of outsiders (visitors), contractual staff, students, and others who may lack direct access to the application.
- Complementary Mechanism: It does not replace, but rather complements, existing internal complaints committees mandated by government directives.
Consider the following statements regarding SHINE (Sexual Harassment Incident Notification for Empowerment):
I. SHINE is a digital grievance platform launched by Indian Railways to address workplace sexual harassment complaints in line with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
II. The platform replaces the Internal Complaints Committees mandated under the 2013 Act and restricts complaints only to permanent railway employees.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer: A
Explanation:
STATEMENT I IS CORRECT: SHINE (Sexual Harassment Incident Notification for Empowerment) is a digital grievance mechanism launched by Indian Railways. It strengthens workplace safety for women and aligns with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 by enabling technology-based complaint reporting.
STATEMENT II IS INCORRECT: The SHINE platform does not replace Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) mandated under the 2013 Act. Instead, it complements the existing mechanism. Moreover, the system is not restricted only to permanent railway employees; it also allows reporting incidents involving visitors, contractual staff, students, and other outsiders through third-party reporting.
