The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has established a comprehensive Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Policy designed to enforce an institutional duty of care across all national and international development programs. Operating on a strict zero-tolerance stance against abuse, harassment, exploitation, and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH), this institutional policy governs all organizational employees, sub-contractors, consultants, volunteers, and funding partners.
Key Strategic Pillars
- Scope and Definitions: Defines a child as any individual under 18 years and vulnerable adults as individuals aged 18 and above who are temporarily or permanently unable to protect themselves due to physical or learning disabilities, sensory impairments, mental health conditions, or power imbalances.
- Core Guiding Principles: Built upon zero tolerance, non-discrimination, shared responsibility, and survivor-centered care. It mandates client-led decision-making, strict media/image consent protocols, and respect for privacy. Crucially, it aligns with human-rights-based communication standards, rejecting any degrading terminology or non-standard abbreviations when referring to persons with disabilities.
- Preventative Vetting & Capacity Building: Mandates rigorous recruitment protocols, including background checks, self-declarations, and reference checks, alongside mandatory annual safeguarding inductions, risk assessments, and refresher courses for all representatives.
- Incident Reporting & Case Management: Establishes a structured, survivor-centered case management process requiring all witnessed or suspected violations to be reported within 24 hours. Reporting channels include direct reporting to line managers, designated safeguarding officers, and a dedicated confidential toll-free line (+234 7058890037) or email.
- Governance and Oversight: Defines distinct accountability frameworks across the Board of Trustees, Head of Secretariat, and Safeguarding Officers. The policy guarantees non-retaliation for whistleblowers and mandates formal institutional reviews at least every two years.
Click here to read the complete document: https://jonapwdng.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/JONAPWD-SAFEGUARDING-POLICY-Reviewed.pdf
