Safeguarding Policy

This policy explains the safeguarding standards the public can expect from AFRDA and how concerns can be reported. It applies to all AFRDA programmes, community meetings, school-related activities, field diagnostics, research, training, demonstration sites, visits, events, communications, online interactions, employment, volunteering, internships, consultancy assignments and partnerships. It applies to every AFRDA representative and to partners, contractors and visitors when they participate in or support AFRDA activities.

• Do no harm. We identify and reduce physical, emotional, sexual, social, economic, digital and reputational risks before and during our work.
• Zero tolerance. Sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, child abuse, harassment, coercion, intimidation, discrimination, neglect and retaliation are prohibited.
• Survivor-centred response. We respond with respect, confidentiality, safety, informed choice and attention to the needs and wishes of the affected person, subject to legal and immediate protection duties.
• Inclusion. We consider the different risks faced by children, young people, women, persons with disabilities, displaced people, economically vulnerable people and marginalised groups.
• Accountability. Every AFRDA representative must report a safeguarding concern promptly. Proof is not required before a concern is raised.
• Community respect. We listen to communities, explain our activities clearly and avoid using power, assistance, information or access for personal advantage.

• Treat every person with dignity, fairness and respect, regardless of age, sex, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, political opinion, social status or other characteristic.
• Never abuse, exploit, harass, threaten, humiliate, intimidate or discriminate against another person.
• Never engage in sexual activity with a child. A mistaken belief about age is not a defence.
• Never exchange money, jobs, internships, volunteering opportunities, training, transport, food, materials, assistance or any other benefit for sexual activity or a personal favour.
• Never use AFRDA authority, resources, community relationships, data or confidential information for personal exploitation.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, including when meeting children or vulnerable participants.
• Obtain appropriate informed consent before taking or using photographs, videos, interviews or personal stories.
• Report safeguarding concerns immediately and cooperate honestly with authorised safeguarding processes.
• Protect complainants, survivors and witnesses from retaliation, stigma and unnecessary disclosure.

• Safeguarding risks are assessed when programmes, partnerships, recruitment, communications and data collection are planned.
• Activities consider safe venues, accessibility, privacy, sanitation, travel arrangements, timing, supervision and emergency needs.
• Children and vulnerable participants are not placed in private or unsafe situations and are not involved in travel, images, interviews or activities without appropriate permission and safeguards.
• Field teams explain what AFRDA can and cannot provide so that communities are not given unrealistic expectations.
• Community feedback and complaint channels are explained in clear and locally understandable language.
• Partners and suppliers working with communities may be required to accept AFRDA safeguarding standards and codes of conduct.

• We seek informed and voluntary permission before using identifiable images, voices or stories, and additional consent where a child is involved.
• We do not publish content that shames people, exposes sensitive personal situations, misrepresents experience or places a person at foreseeable risk.
• Consent can be withdrawn for future use where reasonably possible, although AFRDA may not be able to retrieve material already lawfully distributed or printed.
• Unsafe content may be removed or restricted while the risk is assessed.

A concern may be reported by a survivor, family member, community member, staff member, volunteer, intern, partner, supplier, witness or any other person. Reports may be anonymous, although anonymity can limit AFRDA’s ability to follow up.

A report should, where known, state what happened, who may be at risk, when and where it occurred, any immediate safety needs and how the reporter can be contacted. Reporters should not investigate, confront an alleged offender or pressure a survivor to repeat details.

1. Listen respectfully and address immediate safety, medical or protection needs.
2. Record only the information reasonably needed and protect it as sensitive information.
3. Assess risk and determine whether specialist referral, protective measures, internal action, donor notification or reporting to a competent authority is required.
4. Use a fair, confidential and survivor-centred process led by authorised persons without conflicts of interest.
5. Take proportionate action, which may include restrictions on duties, suspension, termination, contract remedies, referral or other corrective measures.
6. Communicate with the affected person where safe and appropriate, and document lessons that can strengthen prevention.

AFRDA cannot promise absolute confidentiality. Information may need to be shared with a limited number of authorised persons where this is necessary to protect someone, comply with law, make a safe referral or address serious misconduct.

No person will be penalised for raising a genuine safeguarding concern or cooperating with a safeguarding process. Knowingly making a malicious or deliberately false report may itself be addressed as misconduct; a report that is not substantiated is not, by itself, a false or malicious report.

The Board of Directors oversees AFRDA’s safeguarding framework. The Secretariat is responsible for implementation, trained focal points, safe recruitment, partner expectations, reporting routes and continuous improvement. This policy will be reviewed at least every year and after significant incidents, legal changes or material programme changes.