Only 650 Workplaces Upload ICC Details on SHe-Box Portal: Women’s Commission Chairperson

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 8, 2026: Despite there being more than 3,000 institutions and workplaces in the region, only about 650 establishments have uploaded details of their Internal Complaint Committees (ICC) on the Sexual Harassment electronic Box (SHe-Box) portal, said Karnataka State Women’s Commission chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary in Mangaluru on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after concluding her four-day tour of Dakshina Kannada district, Choudhary said the formation of Internal Complaint Committees in workplaces is mandatory under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act. She noted that the SHe-Box portal was created by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to enable women to file complaints related to workplace harassment.

Choudhary, who chaired a Mahila Spandana grievance meeting during her visit, said she had directed the Mangaluru City Police to take action against the inspector of Kavoor police station for allegedly behaving rudely with a woman complainant.

“A woman raised the issue during the grievance meeting. The Assistant Commissioner of Police informed that a notice had already been served on the inspector. However, I directed the ACP to submit a report after taking appropriate action,” she said, adding that the city police were also asked to organise a gender-sensitisation workshop for police personnel.

Addressing complaints raised by fisherwomen at the State Bank fish market, Choudhary said the vendors had expressed concern that the rent at the newly built, centrally air-conditioned Central Market was too high. She said the commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation had been requested to consider reducing the rent.

Students staying at the post-matric hostel in Madyar also complained about the lack of adequate bus facilities. Choudhary said that out of the 38 complaints received during the grievance meeting, most were resolved on the spot.

The commission is also planning to establish a 24×7 call centre at its Bengaluru head office to address grievances of women in distress. “We plan to introduce a new complaint management system that will allow women to lodge complaints through WhatsApp and also track their status. We have sought funds from the government for the proposal,” she said.

She added that the commission would provide financial assistance to universities willing to undertake studies on domestic violence linked to alcoholism.