1.0: Preamble
AWPD is a registered NGO registered
in 2020 with registration number ooNGO/R/0887 to operate in Tanzania Main land
with effect from the date of registration. The organisation envisages a relief
oriented community to people with disabilities and well empowered in education,
health and job creation. The organisation’s mission is to inspire, counsel,
educate and empower people with disabilities through creating opportunities to
participate in development ideas for engagement in jobs, educational schools
and seek for the rights of people with disabilities. AWPD currently concentrates
in Sengerema District but with envisions of expanding its operations in the
area of Lake Victoria region. The organisation registers children and
youngsters with disabilities of all kinds of disability irrespective of their
gender, religious affiliation, racial status; but special consideration to
children and youngsters below age 25. CBR approach is the key approach which is
adapted through lessons experienced over several years throughout organisation
evolution from TAMH Sengerema to AWPD. It is focused to social inclusion
through provision of suitable education to CYWDs, ensuring accessibility of
medical rehabilitation, skills development to youngsters with disabilities and
livelihood programs to the families of CYWDs. The organisation is engaged in advocacy
campaign and community awareness programs to ensure the rights of PWDs are
attained.
2.0 About the policy
The existence of this CPP
acknowledges the importance of child rights as per UN conventions and Tanzania
child act (2009). Some of the key rights to children include; right to
inclusion, right to nationality, right to live with parents/caregivers and
entitled to parental care such as food, shelter and clothing, health care,
education and right for services. Other rights include rights to participate in
sports, games and other social activities, right to heritage and rights to
freedom of speech. While the parents/caretakers are obliged to ensure these
rights are protected; a child in turn is responsible to respect
parents/caregivers and other members in the society and give assistance when
required.
3.0 The purpose of the policy
The main purpose of this policy is to
protect CYWDs from any kind of abuse with special focus to those registered in
the organisation programs. The policy outlines working ideas on how to manage
and reduce risks connected with organisation actions especially child-contact
related activities. It also provides AWPD workers with key principles that
guide its approach to child protection. This policy is compulsory to all people
connected to CWYDs within AWPD range; staff in all units (seniors & juniors),
AWPD partners both local and international, government officials and other
individuals.
4.0 Policy
statement
AWPD being an organisation that
supports children and youngsters with disabilities ensures all CWDs are protected
from all kinds of abuse; treated equally irrespective of their gender, race,
religious belief or social and cultural background. Equal and fair treatment to
CYWDs is strongly underlined in all organisation deeds and undertakings in the
implementation of its interventions – health and rehabilitation, access to
education, economic empowerment to youngsters with disabilities and their
families, and ensuring inclusion of CWDs in the community.
5.0 Guiding
principles
The CPP is guided by the following
key principles;
i.
Child protection needs a collective effort from various
stakeholders within and outside AWPD systems. Active support and cooperation
are the key elements expected as input from organisation structures,
collaborators and networking agencies and other partners. All these
stakeholders should comply and abide with the policy and must act accountable
in all engagements to child protection.
ii.
All children including CWDs regardless of gender, religious
belief, racial origin, or kind of disability have the same right to equal
protection from any kind of abuse.
iii.
Children’s welfare should be the top priority; everybody is
responsible to identify individual child’s interest and uniqueness and help
growing their potential.
6.0
Definitions
6.1: Child: For the purpose of this
CPP a “child” is described as any person under the age of 18, this is
accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
6.2: Child
abuse: The
WHO categorises child abuse into four main forms; child neglect, emotional
abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse.
6.2.1: Child
neglect: This
happens when a parent/caretaker fails to provide basic needs to the child. It
also occurred when a child does not obtain adequate care and supervision which
might affect their health development and general welfare of the child. Child
neglect is featured; but not limited to children being left alone without
adequate care, inadequate/unsuitable food, inadequate living condition and
failure to provide medical needs. Other forms of neglect include a child being
exposed to danger, failure to attend school and inadequate clothing.
6.2.2:
Emotional abuse: This involves regular mistreatment of a child as part of the
overall relationship between a parent/caretaker and a child. It occurs when
parents/caretakers fail to provide child with basic needs such as attention,
affection, acceptance and security. This might occur due to inability of
parents/caretakers to take care of a child or they are not aware of their
responsibilities in developing child’s emotional needs. Emotional abuse can be noticed through various
behaviours such as rejection, detachment, if a child is not praised or
encouraged consistently, bullying and restricted participation in funs and
plays. It further involves persistent criticism, unfriendliness, regular
blaming a child, extreme overprotection and unsuitable punishment e.g locking a
child in bedroom. A child may show signs of emotional abuse through their
actions or emotions; these include aggressive behaviour, risk taking,
unhappiness, lack of confidence and poor performance in education.
6.2.3:
Physical abuse: This is when someone
purposefully hurts a child or putting a child at risk of physically hurt.
Physical abuse includes beating/slapping, suffocation, hair pulling,
intentional poisoning and any other action intends to cause any injury in
child’s body.
6.2.4:
Sexual abuse: It happens when an adult or any other person uses a child for his/her
sexual satisfaction. It includes involving a child in sexual acts or exposing a
child to sexual activity either directly or indirectly. Child sexual abuse
encompasses a variety examples such as performing sexual act in the presence of
a child, intentional touching of a
child’s body for the purpose of sexual satisfaction, sexual intercourse with a
child in any way. Other examples of child sexual abuse is engaging a child in
prostitution, pornography and sexual exploitation.
7.0 Policy implementation within AWPD
AWPD recognises that most children
live under vulnerable circumstances; although CWDs are more vulnerable due to
their conditions and social challenges they live in. All staff working with
AWPD will observe compliance of the CPP in all their responsibilities. The
organisation will assign personnel who will ensure the implementation of the
CPP at all levels. His/her responsibilities will include promoting child
protection within the organisation, coordinating training for staff, monitor
internal and external policy compliance and organise policy reviews. The person
will serve as the key contact person for any queries about child abuse and
child protection. He/she will ensure organisation staff receive regular trainings
on child protection issues and their obligations under the policy; including
mandatory reporting of concerns or allegations of child abuse. The organisation
administration will ensure all staff are aware of this policy and freely sign
it for their commitment to comply with it. Even the recruitment of new employee
will consider their suitability and ability to comply with the policy.
8.0:
Organisation actions against child abuse
AWPD will take the following actions
in case of suspected abuse to the child;
i.
In case the suspected case of abuse in reported; the concerns
will be discussed with a person responsible for child protection preferably on
the same day or at least within 24 hours of the incident.
ii.
The action should be taken immediately by the responsible
person to ensure a child is safe as a first priority and then continue
investigating the matter.
iii.
If the matter involves significant harm to the child; act
immediately as delays may cause more danger on the child.
iv.
All decisions made should consider child’s interest but
without compromising national and international legal frameworks.
9.0: Photographs/filming and child
stories
Use of children’s images, video clips
or stories for work related purposes a person must assess and endeavour to
comply with local traditions or restrictions for reproducing personal images or
videos. Before photographing or filming a child, obtain consent from the child
or a parent or guardian of the child. As part of this a person must explain how
the photograph or film will be used. Ensure
photographs, films, videos present children in a dignified and respectful
manner and not in a vulnerable or submissive manner. Children should be
adequately clothed and not in poses that could be seen as sexually suggestive and
should respect traditional and cultural manners. The same to child stories; a
person should explain to the child, parents/guardians why taking stories and
ask for their consent before you document anything.
10.0: AWPD
Child’s code of conduct
i.
Always consider the best interest of the child
ii.
Always treat children equally without discrimination while
observing their dignity and human hood.
iii.
Never develop sexual relationship with children
iv.
Contact a child in an open space wherever possible; private
areas are acceptable depending on the case which may need privacy; but make
sure you create conducive environment where a child will be comfortable and
confident.
v.
Never hit, slap or taking any action that could cause
physical harm to the child.
vi.
Never encourage children to engage in sexually provocative
games with each other
vii.
Report immediately any concern regarding staff behaviour or
any possible abuse from any person to the responsible person.
viii.
Never touch a child in an appropriate part of the body
regardless of their age or sex
ix.
Never speak to or touch any child in sexual manner
x.
Never use a language that will mentally or emotionally hurt a
child