Child Safety Policy

Child Protection Policy of Backward Society Education (BASE)

Background:

Backward Society Education (BASE) is a grass root organization committed to fight against illiteracy, poverty and social and political discrimination amongst all marginalized communities in Nepal. Our aim is to transform the outlook of downtrodden people as well as their oppressors. BASE has developed Child protection policy respecting Convention on the Rights of Children (CRC).

Scope:

BASE has been extensively operating in eight districts in the mid and far western region of Nepal, including Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Salyan, Surkhet and Rukum districts. Our main areas of interventions include formal and non-formal education, upholding the rights of freed-Kamaiyas, livelihoods support, combating child labor, support for sustainable and inclusive democracy, human rights violations monitoring, conflict mitigation, water and sanitation, environmental sustainability, disaster preparedness and response, infrastructures support, protection and promotion of traditional and indigenous cultures, and support  for children affected by armed conflict.

Our noble mission is to create a prosperous and exploitation free society in Nepal. BASE focuses on combating all forms of slavery related and exploitative practices within its governance and management structures. BASE committed to promotion, participation, transparency and accountability in decision makings.

Policy:

BASE Child Protection Policy  (CPP) intends to ensure child rights protecting them from different abuses and misbehaves such as – Physical torture and misbehaves, Psychological and emotional exploitation, Ignorance expectation and hunger, Sexual exploitation and misbehave, Child labor exploitation and bonded labor, Use of children in drug addiction sell  and transport, Social religious and gender discrimination.

Definition of Children:

BASE will take people as children below the age of 18 as mentioned in treaty related to child right realizing the overall advantage of children.

Definition of Child abuse:

Child abuse is defined as use and misbehaves of children for any purpose that is against national and international laws.

Code of Conduct for all staff, Board members, general members, volunteers and local partners:

1. The participation of children will be kept in priority in each activities conducted by the organization
2. Staff, Board members, general members, volunteers and local partners are not allowed to keep child labor.
3. Staff, board members, general members, volunteers; local partners should not spend unnecessary amounts of time alone with children, away from others. Meeting with individual should be avoided or take place within sight of others. If privacy is needed, the door should be remaining open and other staff, members and volunteer should be aware of the meeting.
4. Staff, board members, general members, volunteers and local partners should never initiate or engage children in sexually provocative conversation or activity.
5. Staff, board members, general members, volunteers and local partners should not show favoritism/nepotism to any one child, nor should they issue or threaten any form of physical punishment
6. Communication about children should use pictures that are decent and respectful, not presenting them as victims. Children should be adequately clothed and poses that can be interpreted as sexually suggestive should be avoided.

BASE declaration:

1. BASE will verify suitability of the person to work with children during recruiting any new staff
2. BASE will orient all members of BASE, staff, volunteers and local partners on child protection and organizations’ child protection policy in a cluster basis.
3. All the partners of BASE and children that they receive services from BASE will be made aware of their right to be safe from abuse.
4. BASE will form three members committee headed by BASE president Mr. Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, Mrs. Bhawana Shaha (BASE central executive committee member) and Mr. Purna Bahadur Chaudhary) for taking special responsibilities for keeping children safe and will disseminate the information of committee details to all organization staffs and local partners.
5. BASE will mobilize the committee to record and monitor all incidents, allegations of child abuse and complaints.

Thanks.