New Delhi, Feb 14 (NationPress) Union Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD) Annpurna Devi stated on Saturday that ensuring women’s safety in the workplace transcends mere legal obligations; it embodies the nation's dedication to justice and equality.

In her address at the National Conference on Safety of Women at Workplace (SHe-Box), the Minister noted that with over 1.48 lakh institutions registered on the SHe-Box portal and more than 60,000 Internal Committees actively operating, alongside an increase in female labor force participation from 23 percent to 42 percent over the past six years, India is undergoing a significant transformation towards accountability and women-led development.

Referring to the historic budget allocation exceeding Rs 5 lakh crore, she emphasized that the dignity, security, and economic empowerment of women are pivotal to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, asserting that a truly developed India would be one where every woman can work and lead without fear.

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

She pointed out the broader empowerment ecosystem that has fortified women’s economic engagement—from the rise in women’s labor force participation to nearly 41.7 percent in 2023–24, to 70 percent of Mudra loans being granted to women, 44 percent of PM SVANidhi beneficiaries being women, and over 10 crore women connected through 90 lakh Self-Help Groups.

She stressed that although these statistics indicate progress, the ultimate aim is to ensure that every woman feels safe, respected, and empowered in all aspects of life.

Echoing these sentiments, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, highlighted that ensuring women’s safety at work is fundamental to India’s constitutional commitment to equality and justice.

He remarked that legislative and institutional frameworks, such as the PoSH Act and the SHe-Box portal, enhance 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 showcased.

A nationwide PoSH training video was presented, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment shared insights regarding the role of the new Labour Codes in facilitating safe workplaces.

Earlier, Women and Child Development Secretary Anil Malik emphasized the significant institutional progress achieved via SHe-Box, noting that with over 1.5 lakh workplaces onboarded and Local Committees active in every district, a nationwide safety framework has been established.

However, he noted that with women’s labor force participation at 42 percent and over 80 percent of women working in the informal sector, ongoing efforts are crucial for ensuring comprehensive coverage and protection.