Indian Railways launch ‘SHINE’ to empower women at workplace

Indian Railways has launched a customized app for female employees to lodge complaints regarding sexual harassment at the workplace.

Empowerment Sexual Harassment Incident Reporting (SHINE) was operationalized on Sunday, March 8, 2026, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

This facility will be in addition to the existing internal grievance committee constituted in each organization in accordance with the Supreme Court’s Visakha guidelines of 1997 and the Government of India’s directions issued from time to time to protect women in the workplace. With SHINE, female employees can submit their complaints through the Human Resources Management System (HRMS).

BRIGHTNESS for visitors too

According to railway sources, SHINE also allows reporting of incidents or complaints on behalf of outsiders (visitors), contract staff, students and others who do not have access to the application.

It will maintain confidentiality and effectively address issues brought to the attention of relevant authorities. The application can be accessed through the ‘Employee Self Service’ system.

As per existing guidelines, committees have been formed at various levels to address sexual harassment complaints faced by female employees.

SHINE was developed to make the mechanism more discreet and able to be handled quickly.

“This feature is available to all women employees and they can register their complaints directly and these complaints will be received online by the relevant committee designated to deal with such complaints,” a memo sent to all Regional General Managers said.