Child Protection Policy | Bahini Educare Foundation

Preamble

Established in 2014, Bahini Educare Foundation is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the rights of children, providing educational support, and advocating for women's health and empowerment. "Bahini" translates to "girls," reflecting our focus on the protection of girls, while "Educare" embodies education, healthcare, nutrition, clothing, hygiene, counselling, and protection services. While our primary focus is on girls, we also extend support to boys as and when necessary.

Our innovative and all-encompassing program is based on the provision of basic needs, education, vocational training, communication, and social mobilization to prevent human trafficking and all forms of exploitation.

Bahini Educare Foundation is deeply committed to protecting the safety and security of vulnerable children in Nepal. We uphold the principles and obligations outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (CRC) and the Children's Act, 2075 (2018). The CRC states that 'All children have equal rights to protection from abuse and exploitation'. Our organization condemns all forms of child abuse and exploitation and takes prompt action to address any reported incidents, both within and outside the organization. Through risk management strategies, we strive to create safe environments for all children associated with our programs, ensuring they experience zero harm.

Preamble

Established in 2014, Bahini Educare Foundation is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the rights of children, providing educational support, and advocating for women's health and empowerment. "Bahini" translates to "girls," reflecting our focus on the protection of girls, while "Educare" embodies education, healthcare, nutrition, clothing, hygiene, counselling, and protection services. While our primary focus is on girls, we also extend support to boys as and when necessary.

Our innovative and all-encompassing program is based on the provision of basic needs, education, vocational training, communication, and social mobilization to prevent human trafficking and all forms of exploitation.

Bahini Educare Foundation is deeply committed to protecting the safety and security of vulnerable children in Nepal. We uphold the principles and obligations outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (CRC) and the Children's Act, 2075 (2018). The CRC states that 'All children have equal rights to protection from abuse and exploitation'. Our organization condemns all forms of child abuse and exploitation and takes prompt action to address any reported incidents, both within and outside the organization. Through risk management strategies, we strive to create safe environments for all children associated with our programs, ensuring they experience zero harm.

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all individuals associated with Bahini Educare Foundation, including general members, part-time and full-time staff, resource persons, volunteers, interns, and partner organizations. Collectively referred to as "Members," these individuals are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined herein.

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all individuals associated with Bahini Educare Foundation, including general members, part-time and full-time staff, resource persons, volunteers, interns, and partner organizations. Collectively referred to as "Members," these individuals are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined herein.

Definitions

Child: As per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child is defined as a human being below the age of 18 years.
Child Protection: Child protection embodies safeguarding children from various forms of harm, including physical and psychological abuse, exploitation through child labor, bullying, sexual abuse, discrimination, and harassment, all of which detrimentally affect their development and dignity.
Child Abuse: This includes any form of maltreatment or exploitation of children, such as physical or mental violence, neglect, child labour, and sexual or commercial abuse/exploitation by parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other individual.

Definitions

Child: As per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child is defined as a human being below the age of 18 years.
Child Protection: Child protection embodies safeguarding children from various forms of harm, including physical and psychological abuse, exploitation through child labor, bullying, sexual abuse, discrimination, and harassment, all of which detrimentally affect their development and dignity.
Child Abuse: This includes any form of maltreatment or exploitation of children, such as physical or mental violence, neglect, child labour, and sexual or commercial abuse/exploitation by parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other individual.

BEF's Commitment

Raise awareness among Members and stakeholders regarding child abuse and exploitation.
Provide orientation and guidance on appropriate responses to incidents of abuse or exploitation.
Refrain from engaging and/or employing individuals or organizations that pose a risk to children during program interventions.
In working with a Consortium member lacking its own Child Protection policy, the member will have to adopt our policy, based on contractual obligations.

BEF's Commitment

Raise awareness among Members and stakeholders regarding child abuse and exploitation.
Provide orientation and guidance on appropriate responses to incidents of abuse or exploitation.
Refrain from engaging and/or employing individuals or organizations that pose a risk to children during program interventions.
In working with a Consortium member lacking its own Child Protection policy, the member will have to adopt our policy, based on contractual obligations.

Goal & Objectives

Our goal is to protect children from all forms of abuse and exploitation during organizational operations and program interventions.

Establish organizational directives for child protection.

Foster fair practices among Members concerning the protection of children.

Goal & Objectives

Our goal is to protect children from all forms of abuse and exploitation during organizational operations and program interventions.

Establish organizational directives for child protection.

Foster fair practices among Members concerning the protection of children.

Guidelines for Reporting

In principle, all members, including consortium partners should report the incidents of actual child abuse/exploitation they witness or are reported to them. It should be ensured however that no personal biases are reflected in doing so and the Child Protection code of the organization is upheld.

Responsibly reported allegations should be officially acknowledged. Until the investigation is not accomplished, reported concerns are simply allegations.

Members should inform and discuss the perceived or apparent concerns with the immediate senior position holders. If one feels uneasy due to positional hierarchy, the matter should be informed to the Director of the organization who should deal the matter with high confidentiality and reach a prudent and just decision in coordination with the oversight committee.

In case of allegations reported against the Director or members, the Executive Committee or the Committee members authorized by the Executive Committee should look into the matter.

All concerns, disclosures or allegations can be submitted in writing, verbally or through any electronic medium. Allegations and reports exposed via media about the Members also fall under the scope of this Policy.