Safeguarding Policy

1. Policy Overview & Institutional Duty

Guardians of Vision Foundation maintains an absolute duty of care toward all individuals participating in or affected by our humanitarian missions across Nigeria. Whether conducting medical outreaches, delivering food aid, or executing educational initiatives, we prioritize safety, physical integrity, and personal dignity.

This Safeguarding Policy forms the operational backbone of our Foundation. It defines mandatory conduct, establishes direct incident escalation pathways, and enforces strict zero-tolerance policies regarding exploitation, abuse, neglect, and harassment.

2. Regulatory & Legal Framework

Our safeguarding standards are strictly benchmarked against Nigerian statutory laws and international conventions, including:

• Child Rights Act of Nigeria 2003: Full protection against physical, emotional, or sexual harm.
• Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018: Guaranteeing accessibility, dignity, and autonomy.
• Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015: Protection from gender-based violence, intimidation, and abuse.
• Nigeria Not-For-Profit Governance Code (NFPGC) 2023 & CAMA 2020: Whistleblower protection and leadership accountability.
• Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023: Secure storage of personal data and confidential reports.
• UN Conventions (UNCRC & UNCRPD): International human rights and disability safeguards.

3. Scope & Covered Parties

This policy is binding across all operations, field sites, media activities, and digital channels. It applies without exception to:

4. Mandatory Code of Conduct

All representatives acting on behalf of the Guardians of Vision Foundation must comply with these behavioural directives:

• Professional Distance: Never spend unsupervised or one-on-one time with a minor in an isolated location.
• Consent & Dignity: Obtain clear, informed consent before photographing, filming, or documenting any beneficiary.
• Respectful Engagement: Use language that affirms dignity and avoids patronizing, abusive, or discriminatory tones.
• Substance Control: Consumption of alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substances during outreach operations is strictly banned.
• Protection of Privacy: Beneficiary details or media must never be posted on personal social media accounts.

5. Disability-Inclusive Safeguarding

Recognizing that individuals with disabilities face heightened vulnerabilities due to systemic barriers and social stigma, the Foundation enforces active protective measures aligned with the Disability Prohibition Act 2018:

• Accessible Communication: Providing sign language, audio formats, or simplified materials for reporting and consent.
• Autonomy & Respect: Prioritizing bodily autonomy and explicit consent prior to physical assistance or medical evaluation.
• Staff Training: Delivering specialized sensitivity modules on disability rights and trauma-informed interaction.

6. Child Protection Directives

In alignment with the Child Rights Act of Nigeria 2003, protecting minors remains an elevated organizational priority:

• Child Labour Prohibition: No minor under 15 years old may perform work or tasks on behalf of the Foundation.
• Ethical Media: No child will be depicted in states of distress, vulnerability, or undress. Written parental/guardian consent is compulsory.
• Mandatory Disclosure Action: Any report or sign of child abuse disclosed during field activities must be escalated immediately to protective authorities.

7. Reporting & Whistleblower Protection

Anyone who observes, suspects, or experiences a policy violation is required to report it promptly. We operate under a mandatory whistleblower policy protected by the NFPGC 2023.

8. Vetting, Enforcement & Compliance

To maintain institutional integrity, the Foundation performs multi-stage screening prior to engagement:

• Identity verification and minimum 2-step reference checks assessing character and past conduct.
• Mandatory signing of the Safeguarding Code of Conduct prior to deployment.
• Immediate referral of confirmed criminal misconduct to regulatory agencies including the Nigerian Police Force, NAPTIP, or the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.