1) Legal Notice | Terms & Conditions

Visitors to this web site are bound by the following terms and conditions ("terms"), so please read these carefully before continuing to use this site. If you do not agree with any of these terms, please do not use this site. If you have any questions about these terms, please contact [email protected] .

Disclaimer of Warranties, Inaccuracies or Errors

Although Habitat for Humanity India attempts to ensure that all information and recommendations, whether in relation to the products, services, offerings or otherwise (hereinafter "information") provided as part of this website is correct at the time of inclusion on the website, Habitat for Humanity India does not guarantee the accuracy of the Information. Habitat for Humanity India makes no representations or warranties as to the completeness or accuracy of Information.

Habitat for Humanity India makes no commitment to update or correct any Information that appears on the Internet or on this website.

Information is supplied upon the condition that the persons receiving the same will make their own determination as to its suitability for their purposes prior to use or in connection with the making of any decision. No Information at this web site shall constitute an invitation to invest in Habitat for Humanity India or any affiliates. Any use of this website or the Information is at your own risk. Neither Habitat for Humanity India and Habitat for Humanity India affiliates, nor their officers, employees or agents shall be liable for any loss, damage or expense arising out of any access to, use of, or Habitat for Humanity India, upon this website or the Information, or any website linked to this website.

Nothing contained herein is to be construed as a recommendation to use any product, process, equipment or formulation, in conflict with any patent, or otherwise, and Habitat for Humanity India makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, that the use thereof will not infringe any patent or otherwise.

This website is provided to you on an "as is" and "where-is" basis, without any warranty. Habitat for Humanity india, for itself and any third party providing materials, services, or content to this website, makes no representations or warranties, either express, implied, statutory or otherwise of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of third party rights, with respect to the website, the information or any products or services to which the information refers. Habitat for Humanity India will not be liable to you or any third party for any damages of any kind, including but not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, arising from or connected with the site, including but not limited to, your use of this site or your inability to use the site, even if Habitat for Humanity India has previously been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Habitat for Humanity India Disclaimer

Habitat for Humanity India has its own separate identity, but in this website we may sometimes use "Habitat for Humanity India", "Habitat for Humanity India Trust", "HFH", "HFH India", "we" or "us" when we refer to Habitat for Humanity India in general or where no useful purpose is served by identifying any particular Habitat for Humanity India institution.

Availability

Habitat for Humanity India controls and operates this website from India and makes no representation that the materials are appropriate or will be available for use in other locations. If you use this website from outside India, you are entirely responsible for compliance with all applicable local laws.

Information that Habitat for Humanity India publishes on the World Wide Web may contain references or cross references to Habitat for Humanity India products, programs and services that are not announced or available in your country. Such references do not imply that Habitat for Humanity India intends to announce such products, programs or services in your country. Where applicable, consult your local Habitat for Humanity India contact for information regarding the products, programs and services that may be available to you.

Third Party Interaction and Links to Third Party Sites

In your use of the website, you may enter into correspondence with, purchase goods and/or services from, or participate in promotions of advertisers or members or sponsors of the website. Unless otherwise stated, any such correspondence, advertisement, purchase or promotion, including the delivery of and the payment for goods and/or services, and any other term, condition, warranty or representation associated with such correspondence, purchase or promotion, is solely between you and the applicable third party. You agree that Habitat for Humanity India has no liability, obligation or responsibility for any such correspondence, purchase or promotion between you and any such third party.

This website may be linked to other websites on the World Wide Web that are not under the control of or maintained by Habitat for Humanity India. Such links do not indicate any responsibility or endorsement on our part for the external website concerned, its contents or the links displayed on it. These links are provided only as a convenience, in order to help you find relevant websites, services and/or products that may be of interest to you, quickly and easily. It is your responsibility to decide whether any services and/or products available through any of these websites are suitable for your purposes. Habitat for Humanity India is not responsible for the owners or operators of these websites or for any goods or services they supply or for the content of their websites and does not give or enter into any conditions, warranties or other terms or representations in relation to any of these or accept any liability in relation to any of these (including any liability arising out of any claim that the content of any external web site to which this web site includes a link infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party).

Copyrights

• This web site contains material, including text, graphics and sound, which is protected by copyright and/or other intellectual property rights. All copyright and other intellectual property rights in this material are either owned by Habitat for Humanity India or have been licensed to Habitat for Humanity India by the owner(s) of those rights so that it can use this material as part of this web site. Habitat for Humanity India retains copyright on all Information, including text, graphics and sound and all trademarks displayed on this web site are owned by Habitat for Humanity India and used under licence by Habitat for Humanity India affiliates.
• You may not copy (whether by printing off onto paper, storing on disk, downloading or in any other way), distribute (including distributing copies), download, display, perform, reproduce, distribute, modify, edit, alter, enhance, broadcast or tamper with in any way or otherwise use any material contained in the web site. These restrictions apply in relation to all or part of the material on the web site; copy and distribute this information on any other server, or modify or re-use text or graphics on this system or another system. No reproduction of any part of the web site may be sold or distributed for commercial gain nor shall it be modified or incorporated in any other work, publication or web site, whether in hard copy or electronic format, including postings to any other web site. remove any copyright, trade mark or other intellectual property notices contained in the original material from any material copied or printed off from the web site; link to this web site; without our express written consent.

General Terms and Conditions

Habitat for Humanity India does not routinely monitor your postings to the website but reserves the right to do so. However, in our efforts to promote good citizenship within the Internet community, if Habitat for Humanity India becomes aware of inappropriate use of the website or any of its Services, Habitat for Humanity India will respond in any way that, in its sole discretion, Habitat for Humanity India deems appropriate. You acknowledge that Habitat for Humanity India will have the right to report to law enforcement authorities any actions that may be considered illegal, as well as any information it receives of such illegal conduct. When requested, Habitat for Humanity India will co-operate fully with law enforcement agencies in any investigation of alleged illegal activity on the Internet.

Submissions and unauthorised use of any materials contained on this web site may violate copyright laws, trademark laws, the laws of privacy and publicity, certain communications statutes and regulations and other applicable laws and regulations. You alone are responsible for your actions or the actions of any person using your user name and/or password. As such, you shall indemnify and hold Habitat for Humanity India and its officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, licensors, and business partners harmless from and against any and all loss, costs, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in relation to, arising from, or for the purpose of avoiding, any claim or demand from a third party that your use of the web site or the use of the web site by any person using your user name and/or password (including without limitation your participation in the posting areas or your Submissions) violates any applicable law or regulation, or the rights of any third party.

Habitat for Humanity India reserves the right to terminate access to this website at any time and without notice. Further this limited license terminates automatically, without notice to you, if you breach any of these Terms. Upon termination, you must immediately destroy any downloaded and printed materials.

Habitat for Humanity India may change the terms and conditions and disclaimer set out above from time to time. By browsing this website you are accepting that you are bound by the current terms and conditions and disclaimer and so you should check these each time you revisit the web site. Habitat for Humanity India may change the format and content of this website at any time. Habitat for Humanity India may suspend the operation of this website for support or maintenance work, in order to update the content or for any other reason.

Personal details provided to Habitat for Humanity India through this website will only be used in accordance with our privacy policy. Please read this carefully before going on. By providing your personal details to us you are consenting to its use in accordance with our privacy policy.

If you have a question or complaint, please contact us at [email protected].

Habitat for Humanity India reserves all other rights

Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

These terms and conditions are governed by and to be interpreted in accordance with laws of India, without regard to the choice or conflicts of law provisions of any jurisdiction. You agree, in the event of any dispute arising in relation to these terms and conditions or any dispute arising in relation to the web site whether in contract or tort or otherwise, to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts located at Mumbai, India for the resolution of all such disputes.

2)    Privacy Policy

Habitat for Humanity is an organisation with great regard for the privacy and dignity of every individual and their right to protect such privacy.

At the time of receiving queries, donations, providing access to the website to users/visitors and donors, a request is made for certain personal information of the person accessing the website. This could also be obtained at the time of collecting information towards certain projects, volunteer exercises and similar activities.

The data thus gathered consist of the concerned person's/organization's name, address, e-mail, phone numbers, and any other pertinent details that shall be imperative to the purpose for which it is being obtained ie., towards project schedules, volunteering, donations and participation in projects.

This personal information is collected in accordance with applicable privacy laws and is processed in the manner permissible under applicable law. The personal information and data is not distributed, shared, rented or given to companies or organizations that are not part of the Habitat for Humanity India Trust and not utilised towards any purpose other than what it was originally identified for and obtained.

Every individual who is voluntarily accessing and/or obtaining any information and participating, in whatever manner and role, hereby acknowledges and unequivocally consents to the usage of the personal information so provided, for the purpose for which it is to be granted and consents to the receipt of relevant information and updates from Habitat for Humanity on ongoing and upcoming projects, goals and initiatives.

There will be regular updates provided to the followers/donors/volunteers and such persons by post and by email. If such individual decides that such contacts are too frequent and wishes to discontinue the receipt of the said information, it can adopt necessary measure as outlined in the communications received to stop all further communication. Habitat for Humanity shall take necessary steps to ensure that the individual’s details are removed from the mailing list.

A copy of the personal info with Habitat for Humanity India Trust, maybe requested at any time by emailing [email protected]. If any personal information changes or that our records are not up-to-date, information shall be provided as well.

Every effort will be done to ensure personal information is held safely, as per the relevant laws of the land.

3) Donation Refund Policy

Habitat for Humanity India is instituting a donation refund policy to ensure fair and transparent processing of requests for refund of donation, now that digital payments have become more frequent. Habitat for Humanity India expects that all donors will exercise due care and diligence while making donations, and further recognises that a donation may be made erroneously, or donors may change their mind.

Habitat for Humanity India will examine each request for refund of donation and endeavor to make the refund. Habitat for Humanity India may also seek further information / documents, and donor must co-operate in this regard.

However, Habitat for Humanity India is not obliged to make refunds and may, in its discretion, decline any requests for refund of donations, particularly if a tax exemption certificate has been issued.

If you would like your donation to Habitat for Humanity India to be refunded:

• You must request Habitat for Humanity India in writing or by email for a refund, which must reach Habitat for Humanity India within 7 (seven) days from the date on which the donation is made, i.e., the date on which donation:
  • Is made online, electronically or through other means, OR
  • Is through cheque /demand draft made in favour of Habitat for Humanity India, or someone authorised by Habitat for Humanity India for this purpose, OR
  • Is through cheque / demand draft dispatch to Habitat for Humanity India by other means.

The written request stating reason for refund must be sent to the address stated below, and must contain all the following details pertaining to the donation:

• Date of donation
• Donation amount
• If donation was made through cheque/draft, to provide Cheque/Draft no.
• If donation was made through credit card, to provide Credit Card no. (last 4 digits only).
• If donation was made online, to provide Donation-ID.
• Address: Habitat for Humanity India, 3rd Floor, AFL House, Lok Bharti Complex, Marol Maroshi Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400059.

4) Cancellation Policy

For Cancellations please contact the us via [email protected].

Requests received later than 15 business days prior to the end of the current service period will be treated as cancellation of services for the next service period.

5) Disclaimer

Habitat India shall endeavour to provide only such information that are to the best of their knowledge. Habitat for Humanity India does not however hold itself responsible for any inexactness or incompleteness of facts/information provided herein. Any accountabilities arising out of any act or omission by a visitor to this site, by depending on or making use of the information offered on this site, shall be completely to the account of such visitor.

Habitat for Humanity India will do what it can to ensure tax exemption certificates and feedback reports to the donors are within reasonable time limits.

Habitat for Humanity India disclaims any accountability, legal or otherwise, that might arise because of the act, omission or otherwise of any visitor to this site, or caused by the same. Visitors to the site admit that Habitat for Humanity India is only a facilitator for providing a window to its projects and initiatives, for making donations and recruiting volunteers who can provide their selfless service, and as such, stands indemnified from any accountability that might arise because of the same. Visitors acknowledge that visiting this site is an implicit reception of this disclaimer on their part.

6) Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy

Policy introduction

Habitat for Humanity India is a nonprofit, organization is driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity India began in 1983 as a grassroots effort. The housing organisation has since grown to become a leading housing nonprofit that has helped over 57,000 underprivileged families in India build or improve a place they can call home. Through its housing, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and disaster risk reduction and response programmes, Habitat for Humanity India has positively impacted the lives of more than 3.6 million people. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit www.habitatindia.org

Our mission was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety. In accordance with our vision and mission and values, we are committed to the highest ethical standards and oppose all forms of abuse, discrimination, exploitation and harassment (“harm”).

This Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy — also referred to herein as the “safeguarding policy” or the “policy” — reflects our pledge to create and maintain a work and life environment that is safe, productive and respectful for the children and adults we serve. The alternative expression can be - “As a values-driven nonprofit organization, we aim to contribute to creating enabling environments that support equal access to opportunities and promote housing equity. We believe that every child and adult with whom we have contact, whether intentional or incidental, has the right to be protected from any harm that may arise during our operations or project activities. Moreover, we recognize the unique vulnerabilities of children and at-risk adults living in fragile contexts and remain steadfast in our commitment to be a safe organization for all whom we serve or with whom we have contact.

This policy defines Habitat for Humanity India’s approach to creating safe, healthy workplace, operational and project environments. The accompanying Child and Adult Safeguarding Procedures document — also referred to as the “safeguarding procedures” — provides guidance on how operational and project teams can make this policy actionable and adapt practices for the contextual needs and risks associated with the project and/or community. The directives contained in this policy, unless specified otherwise, are intended to apply to the conduct of Habitat for Humanity India’s representative as defined in Appendix A.

Policy framework

We recognize that building and sustaining a safe organization requires commitment to children, families who partner with Habitat, community members, partners and our colleagues. This policy establishes our commitment to children, at-risk adults in communities where we operate, and our staff and volunteers by referencing and acknowledging the role of other policies in reinforcing Habitat for Humanity India’s responsibility to create and maintain operational, programmatic and workplace environments that are safe, mission-driven driven and healthy for everyone.

Habitat for Humanity India’s safeguarding policy framework organizes safeguarding-related policies, procedures and materials in a way that is accessible and user-friendly. This framework includes but is not limited to the following policies, tools, guiding notes, and materials:

• Habitat India’s Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy
• Ethics Covenant (Code of Conduct)
• Policy on Harassment, Bullying, & Discrimination
• POSH policy & guidelines
• Whistleblower Policy
• Background Screening Policy- HR policy
• Volunteer Code of Conduct
• Safeguarding Self-Assessment Tool
• Safe Recruitment for Employment Toolkit

The safeguarding policy framework is aligned with Indian legal provisions to ensure the protection of vulnerable children and adults associated with Habitat for Humanity India. It adheres to key laws, including the Bhāratīya Nyāya Saṃhitā, 2023; the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012; the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. In accordance with the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and the POCSO Act, 2012, any reported case is duly escalated to the relevant authorities, ensuring legal compliance and the protection of affected individuals. Any potential conflicts between this policy and the local laws, the law of the land will prevail in this case. Indian laws will be applicable.

Policy statement

Every person — child or adult — has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We recognize and acknowledge our duty of care — our organizational, collective and individual responsibilities to safeguard children, families who partner with Habitat, program participants, community members with whom we have contact, and our colleagues and volunteers. This safeguarding policy has been developed as part of our safeguarding framework to reinforce the principles of “do no harm” and gender equality and is part of our risk-based approach to preventing and deterring unintentional or deliberate behaviors, actions or programming by Habitat for Humanity India representatives that create a risk of or result in child and adult abuse; discrimination; sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH); and labor exploitation. Habitat for Humanity India maintains a zero tolerance approach to any abuse of power. All concerns, suspicions or known abuses of power must be reported in accordance with reporting protocols. Our Whistleblower Policy prohibits retaliation against any reporter acting in good faith, even if the allegation is later unsubstantiated.

We acknowledge that inherently unequal power dynamics exist between Habitat for Humanity India and children, families who partner with Habitat India, and adults living in the communities where we operate. Housing inequities, disaster responses and community impact projects increase the likelihood of power being abused. Therefore, Habitat for Humanity India strictly prohibits sexual activity with any person under the age of 18 years old. Mistaken belief in the age of the child is not a defense. Habitat for Humanity India also prohibits sexual activity with any program participant, project recipient or community member. And, during the project implementation period, sexual activity and relationships between and among staff members and volunteers who meet through the Habitat for Humanity India project are strongly discouraged. Volunteers must also adhere to the policies restricting relationships with community members unless they live in and are from the community.

When any abuse of power is reported, we maintain a zero tolerance for inaction approach. This means reports will be treated seriously, triaged and investigated in accordance with the respective Habitat for Humanity India investigations and disciplinary procedures. All legal actions will be pursued in consultation with the affected person and under the procedure established by the law. Where the affected person is a child, the child and the child’s parent, legal guardian or caregiver will be consulted, and Habitat for Humanity India will offer support /assist in pursuing the necessary legal action to uphold the best interests of the child and comply with the governing local or national laws.

Policy scope

This policy applies to all Habitat for Humanity India’s representatives that includes an individual acting on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, including but not limited to board members, staff members, contractors, interns, volunteers, implementing partners and suppliers (suppliers also include local volunteers and artisans). All Habitat for Humanity India representatives are responsible for understanding how safeguarding is applicable to their roles and responsibilities and for taking appropriate steps in accordance with this policy and its accompanying procedures to mitigate identified safeguarding risks.

All Habitat for Humanity India representatives are required to read, acknowledge and comply with this policy. The representative of the Habitat India must sign the Policy Acknowledgment Form upon receipt of the policy and submit the acknowledgment to the Habitat India National safeguarding point person.

Treating others with dignity and respect is a value that extends beyond working hours. Habitat for Humanity India representatives are expected to engage in the highest ethical standards during interactions with each other, our partners, families who partner with Habitat, and community members. This policy and its commitments are applicable to both the professional and personal lives of our representatives. Ethical behaviors by all Habitat representatives are expected 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including before, during and after business hours.

Implementation

Safeguarding principles

By living our values of humility, courage and accountability, we create safety for our colleagues, children, families who partner with Habitat, community members, and our partners. We ask that each Habitat for Humanity India representative reflect on how they can contribute to a healthy organization and safeguard those with whom they have contact from preventable harm.

1. We will work in community with children and adults to promote and uphold their rights to be protected from harm during our operations and project activities.
2. We will engage children and adults with empathy and treat each person with respect, courtesy and
3. We recognize the inherently unequal power dynamics between Habitat for Humanity India and the communities where we operate and the particular vulnerability to abuses of power that these differentials create. Any abusive, harassing, humiliating, degrading, discriminatory or exploitative behavior demonstrated by our representatives toward any person is unacceptable.
4. We acknowledge the power we hold and the trust that has been given to We will not engage in any abuse of power or trust that harms children or adults in the community.
5. We believe in creating systems of transparency to build safe and healthy operating environments with the aim of preventing child abuse; sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, or SEAH; discrimination; and labor
6. We will continue to evolve our safeguarding practices and engage colleagues with humility and grace as we learn and make adjustments to strengthen our safeguarding systems.

Behavioral commitments

1. We will work to create and maintain safe and healthy working environments that prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and promote the implementation of the Habitat for Humanity India’s Code of Conduct. Managers across all levels of the organization have particular responsibilities to support and develop systems that maintain a healthy workplace culture and environment.
2. We recognize that acts of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, or SEAH, constitute acts of gross misconduct and are, therefore, grounds for termination of employment or contract.
3. We prohibit sexual activity, including any direct or indirect contact or grooming, with any child (a person under 18 years old) regardless of the age of majority or consent in the local context. Mistaken belief regarding the age of a child is not a defense.
4. We prohibit the exchange of money, employment, goods, special considerations or services for sex, including sexual favors or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior. This includes any assistance that is due to families who partner with Habitat, program participants or recipients, or other community members.
5. We prohibit any sexual relationship between a Habitat for Humanity India representative and any person benefiting from Habitat for Humanity India programs or projects. We recognize that this type of relationship is improper because it is based on inherently unequal power dynamics, thus undermining the credibility and integrity of Habitat for Humanity India’s charitable mission.
6. We will maintain an organizational mandate that if a Habitat for Humanity India representative has a concern or suspicion about, or knows that a colleague has engaged in, SEAH or any other unsafe or harmful behavior, whether in the same organization or not, they must report their knowledge or concern by calling us on our helpline number (+91) 9355507592 or email us at [email protected] or via the Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line, or HEAL, immediately or within 24 All concerns reported through the helpline or email ID will also be reported via HEAL.
7. We prohibit modern slavery or any trafficking of people — children or adults — for procurement of commercial sex acts; commercial sexual exploitation of children, or CSEC; or forced labor.
8. We have zero tolerance for any representative accessing, possessing or circulating pornographic materials or indecent content, images, videos or messages of children or adults using phones, computers, email accounts, electronic distribution lists, Habitat for Humanity India-paid internet connections, or VPN services. Inappropriate content sent to an individual or group via text containing explicit language, messages or jokes will not be
9. We actively support the legal prosecution of individuals in cases of substantiated misconduct if doing so is consistent with the wishes of the affected person or, where the victim is a child, it is in the best interests of the child.
10. We engage a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to consult with anyone harmed by misconduct involving a Habitat for Humanity India representative or unsafe programming. The provision or referrals for care will be made in accordance with the person’s wishes. We recognize that children have the right to express their views, and for those views to be considered and reflected in decisions for their care.
11. We respond to all reports and investigate allegations, as necessary, to ensure accountability and administer proportionate discipline in cases of substantiated misconduct.

Safeguarding pillars

Habitat for Humanity India has a commitment to ensure that our operations and programs are safe for children, families who partner with Habitat, community members, and Habitat for Humanity India representatives and volunteers. All representatives are prohibited from engaging in any abuse of power. In furtherance of this policy, our safeguarding procedures describe activities to make this policy and our commitments actionable.

• Governance and culture: We will foster a safeguarding culture to protect children, at-risk adults, community members, and Habitat for Humanity India representatives from harm that may arise during our operations or project activities. As we continuously learn and evolve our safeguarding approaches and systems, we will adopt a structure to support us in the achievement of our safeguarding objectives. Our leadership will remain steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding and prioritization of best practices, accountability and risk management.
• Prevention: We will implement best practices to reduce the likelihood of safeguarding breaches. We will ensure safeguarding is mainstreamed across all departments and functions and is integrated throughout the project life
• Training and awareness: We will deliver and make accessible the necessary safeguarding training so that all Habitat for Humanity India representatives understand their responsibilities for protecting children, adults and community members from foreseeable and preventable safeguarding risks. Habitat for Humanity India representatives will understand their obligation to contribute to healthy office, operational and program environments to protect each other from workplace We will ensure that communities are aware of the Habitat for Humanity India Ethics Covenant in order to socialize their right to be protected from harm that may arise during Habitat for Humanity India operations and activities.
• Reporting: We commit to educating all Habitat for Humanity India representatives about their responsibilities for reporting any concerns, suspicions or known safeguarding incidents. We will ensure that safe, confidential and accessible reporting channels are available to representatives, and we will encourage families who partner with Habitat, children, at-risk adults, and community members to share their concerns through the preferred reporting
• Response: We will act swiftly and with care whenever a safeguarding allegation is reported. We will prioritize the care and needs of any child or adult affected or harmed by misconduct or unsafe programming conditions and consider the wishes of the affected person through consultative decision-making. Trauma-informed practices will be applied to all investigations and case management activities, and disciplinary actions will be consistent and proportionate to any allegation that is We will hold all information confidential and share information only when required by established legal, regulatory or donor mandates.

Governance

The Habitat for Humanity India board of directors will exercise oversight to ensure adoption and implementation of the Safeguarding Policy. The National Director is accountable for prioritizing safeguarding objectives and delivering organization wide communications about this policy and the accompanying procedures. The safeguarding focal person / Human Resource department along with the program operation teams accountable for the implementation and management of this policy. The global senior director of safety and security and safeguarding is responsible for the development of the safeguarding strategy and may delegate implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities to the global safeguarding director and regional safeguarding advisersRoles and responsibilities

• Habitat for Humanity International global senior director of safety and security and safeguarding: This role is responsible for keeping the senior leadership team apprised of the safeguarding strategy, any needed changes to the policy and procedures, and progress on key performance indicators, or This role will partner with Program Operations Team; Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning, or MEAL; Legal; and Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance, or GRC, teams to ensure a holistic and mainstreamed approach to safeguarding.
• Habitat for Humanity International global safeguarding director: This role is responsible for the day-to-day implementation and monitoring of the policy and procedures and for developing global safeguarding objectives to be reflected in the KPIs.
• Habitat for Humanity International regional safeguarding adviser: This role is responsible for supporting the mainstreaming of the policy and procedures within the respective region. The adviser offers technical assistance to ensure implementing teams have the necessary knowledge, tools and materials to integrate safeguarding as needed. Regional and country-specific KPIs will reflect global objectives and will be identified by the regional safeguarding advisers in coordination with the global safeguarding director.
• Habitat for Humanity International Governance, Risk Management and Compliance, or GRC: This function is responsible for providing guidance on safeguarding risk management and managing reported concerns and subsequent investigations in coordination with the global safeguarding director and respective safeguarding adviser.

• Habitat for Humanity India safeguarding focal points: This role is responsible for coordinating and championing the mainstreaming of safeguarding, whether at the country, -or program level. Primary responsibilities of focal points include providing technical support for policy implementation, delivering training and ensuring that representatives and community members can access reporting channels.
• Habitat for Humanity India human resources: This function is responsible for hiring and onboarding candidates, tracking the completion of mandatory training, managing personnel/disciplinary records, and applying personnel action whenever a safeguarding breach has occurred.
• Habitat for Humanity India managers: These roles are responsible for ensuring that their respective teams mainstream and implement the safeguarding procedures. Managers will ensure that project teams complete safeguarding risk assessments and develop mitigation and monitoring plans that are evaluated throughout the project life If a manager is told, learns about or witnesses a safeguarding incident, they must ensure that the allegation, including any unsafe programming concern, is reported to HEAL.
• All Habitat for Humanity India representatives: Our safeguarding values and principles codify the behaviors to which every representative is expected to understand and conform. All representatives are expected to be able to recognize and be alert for the signs of potential safeguarding misconduct and have an obligation to report any concern, suspicion or known safeguarding breach as outlined in this policy and to cooperate with any subsequent investigation.

Pillars of safeguarding

Governance and culture

Standard 1: Fostering a culture of safeguarding

• Policy review: Our Safeguarding Policy and its procedures will be reviewed at a minimum every four years to ensure they evolve with and meet the requirements of the sector.
• Annual review and verification, or ARV: To support a culture of safeguarding accountability, Habitat for Humanity India will complete an ARV to acknowledge compliance with the Safeguarding Policy and its procedures. The ARV will use the standards outlined in this policy to inform the annual safeguarding Any gaps that have been identified will be documented in an annual safeguarding plan with assigned roles, responsibilities and timelines to meet the requirements of the standard.
• Board designation: Habitat for Humanity India has developed a structure to ensure that safeguarding is prioritized and integrated across our work at all Habitat for Humanity India will designate a safeguarding board representative to enhance the visibility and prioritization of child and adult safeguarding by serving as an advocate within the board. The representative will receive periodic updates on the status of safeguarding within Habitat for Humanity India Additionally, the representative will oversee safeguarding improvements, controls and processes and will ensure the board considers safeguarding in its decision-making processes.
• Safeguarding strategy and personnel: To drive strategy and ensure implementation of day-to-day safeguarding measures, the global senior director of safety and security and safeguarding, with the support of the global safeguarding director, regional advisers and program- or location-specific focal points, will work with other functions and departments to meet their safeguarding roles and responsibilities.
• Leadership responsibilities: Our senior leadership team will ensure that safeguarding is a recurring agenda item for all regularly scheduled meetings and any safeguarding-related discussions or decisions are reflected in meeting minutes.
• Communications and fundraising guidelines: We are committed to preventing harm that may ensue as a result of the use of images, videos and stories in internal/external communications and The use of photos, videos or storytelling, especially of children and at-risk adults on personal social media accounts, is strongly discouraged. In particular, we understand the ethical responsibility to represent children, adults and community members with dignity, respect and resiliency. We will not tolerate imagery or storytelling that reinforces negative stereotypes. All images, videos and stories will comply with the communications and fundraising guidelines set forth in our safeguarding procedures.

Standard 2: Establishing accountability

• Personnel: All Habitat for Humanity India representatives will receive and acknowledge the policy. Records of this acknowledgement will be maintained by Human Resources. We will ensure that all representatives understand and fulfill their responsibilities to safeguarding through our annual performance review process.
• Budgets: Habitat for Humanity India will fund operational and resourcing costs for safeguarding personnel and related activities.
• Key performance indicators, or KPIs: Metrics to evaluate KPIs are critical to support a culture of safeguarding engagement and knowledge and to support decision-making. KPIs will be assessed over time and evolve alongside our safeguarding culture and practice.
• Board engagement: The board will play a key role in driving the organizational prioritization of On a regular basis, the board will review the status of safeguarding and make recommendations for improvements, as needed.

Standard 3: Risk management

Safeguarding is integral to our Risk Management Framework, and our risk appetite for safeguarding breaches is very low. The framework is supported by our Enterprise Risk Register, or ERR, and program-level safeguarding risks assessments, or SRAs. Our ERR is a top-down approach that aims to identify general safeguarding risks, assess our organization’s capacity for managing the risks, and implement mitigation measures to guard against safeguarding breaches that may interfere with our operations and projects and/or lead to serious harm of a child, adult, community member or Habitat representative. The SRAs contextualize our safeguarding practice to specific projects so that we can reduce the likelihood of child abuse; sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment; discrimination; and labor exploitation as we engage with communities. Through our risk-based approach, we embed these risk management practices into Habitat for Humanity India’s at all levels and ensure these practices are consistently applied, monitored and evaluated. We recognize the active commitment that robust risk assessments demand, and we will support our representatives to apply a risk-based lens throughout the project life cycle, whereby we design, implement, measure and adjust safeguarding practices according to the associated risks.

Our belief in prevention through risk management applies not only to Habitat for Humanity India staff members and volunteers, but also to our partners and others working on our behalf. We will ensure that risk management obligations are clearly communicated to contractors, vendors, suppliers and implementing downstream partners, and we will share safeguarding risks and mitigation plans whenever possible and practical.

Prevention

Standard 4: Safe recruitment

Safe recruitment practices will be routinely applied to ensure that every candidate is suitable to work with children and at-risk adults living in fragile contexts, and that they are able to live our values by contributing to a safe and healthy workplace culture. Our commitment to safer recruitment includes:

• Contextualized job
• Notice of safeguarding commitments within the job
• Recruitment of multicultural and gender-balanced teams to promote equality and safety and reflect the populations we serve.
• Robust interviewing practices where safeguarding is a core and consistent part of the
• Thorough reference check questions to assess attitudes, behaviors and commitment to
• Background record check or self-declaration if permitted by local

Our safeguarding procedures and Safe Recruitment Employment Toolkit provide guidance for Human Resources and hiring managers.

Standard 5: Safer programming

Safer programming practices reflect Habitat for Humanity India’s commitment to identify risks and prevent safeguarding breaches throughout the project life cycle. All project and program proposals include child and adult safeguarding considerations with accompanying resources to support cross-cutting and contextual safeguarding activities. During program design, our teams will ensure that risk assessments, mitigation measures and monitoring plans have been developed in collaboration with regional safeguarding advisers or designated safeguarding focal points, as needed, to ensure a robust and holistic safeguarding assessment at the onset. Additionally, all project designs will include donor- specific requirements to fulfill obligations and meet compliance standards. In addition to the Safer Programming Guidance Note, documents and materials that support our safer programming approach include:

• Project proposals
• Project design
• Budgeting
• Project risk assessments
• People centered analysis
• Gender analysis
• Safeguarding work plans (for projects)
• Safer programming checklist

Standard 6: Safe partnerships

We will undertake the necessary steps to ensure that downstream partners undergo a due diligence assessment to the nature and extent of their engagement, to help ensure compliance with minimum safeguarding standards and/or identify areas for capacity building. Partner agreements include a safeguarding clause outlining required actions and responsibilities for carrying out projects in accordance with Habitat for Humanity India’s Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy or the partner’s own policy, whichever offers greater protections to children and adults in fragile contexts. Partners are responsible for assuming a risk-based approach to projects, and Habitat for Humanity India will collaborate with partners to identify, mitigate and monitor risks that are likely to arise during the project life cycle.

All partners agree to train their representatives on safeguarding with a focus on prevention, awareness, reporting and response obligations. The partner can request Habitat for Humanity India to support in capacity building, wherever needed. Partners may agree to adopt Habitat for Humanity India’s reporting systems or develop their own reporting channels. Regardless of the elected reporting mechanisms, partners must share all reported concerns affecting Habitat for Humanity India -funded activities within 48 hours or two business days. In addition, partners will disclose the findings of all completed investigations on Habitat for Humanity India-funded activities within five business days of conclusion. The partner report shall include the outcome of the investigation, along with any personnel or organizational action taken to address the misconduct and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Partners must agree to take the necessary action to respond to reported concerns swiftly and with care, exercising recognized standards for delivering supportive care and services, mobilizing an investigation (as needed), taking remedial personnel action, and documenting management responses for all substantiated allegations.

Standard 7: Volunteer management

Volunteers are expected to contribute to safe and healthy project environments. All volunteers, whether children, youth or adults, are prohibited from engaging in behaviors that create a risk of or actually result in harm, as outlined in our Volunteer Code of Conduct. All Habitat volunteers are expected to respect the rights of children and adults and to protect them from harm throughout the volunteer commitment. The safeguarding principles and behavioral commitments outlined in this policy apply to volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Habitat for Humanity India vets volunteers based upon guidance and/or legal requirements in the country where they reside. Upon selection, volunteers will complete contextualized safeguarding training, and an appropriate supervision plan will be developed for every project involving volunteers, especially where children are present.

We believe that child and youth engagement is important. For this reason, we have created child engagement guidance, outlining active supervision standards, ratio requirements and child labor restrictions to ensure the safety and well- being of children on or off work sites and during activities.

Standard 8: Community engagement and child participation

Community engagement is an important part of creating a safeguarding culture that encourages partnership with the community and seeks to include child participation so that projects are child- and adult-focused and community-driven. Habitat for Humanity India will ensure that communities — especially children and adults in fragile contexts — understand and exercise their right to be protected against child abuse, discrimination, SEAH, labor exploitation or other forms of harm. Habitat for Humanity India will work strategically with other functions to partner with communities

in meaningful and sustainable ways. To identify existing vulnerabilities and risks, Habitat for Humanity India will engage in community assessments whereby we will meet with key stakeholders, including but not limited to children; women; LGBTQI+; people with disabilities; people in ethnic, caste, racial, religious and cultural minorities; and elders, to understand the local context.

We recognize the strength and capabilities of the people we serve and the communities where we operate. We are committed to listening to their voices — individual and collective — to apply their suggestions and feedback and share our power across the continuum of decisions that affect the lives of community members. Through our monitoring and evaluation protocols, we will seek feedback on safeguarding from children and adults and schedule regular focus group discussions to raise visibility about their rights.

Training and awareness

Standard 9: Training and management responsibilities

• Mandatory training: Safeguarding induction training is mandatory as part of onboarding for all Habitat for Humanity India staff members, volunteers and board members within 90 days and prior to contact with children, families who partner with Habitat, and community members. Representatives who have not completed the safeguarding induction will not be able to work in communities until verification of training has been completed. The safeguarding induction training will engage representatives so that they are able to prevent, recognize and detect, report, and respond to any concerns, suspicions or known incidents of a child or adult safeguarding breach.
• Contextualized training: Project teams, including disaster and emergency response, may be required to engage in contextualized training in addition to the mandatory induction.
• Refresher training: Refresher safeguarding training is required every two years for general staff members and key volunteers. Project teams may be required to complete supplemental and/or contextualized safeguarding training more frequently, in accordance with project risks and donor requirements.
• Managers: As part of their responsibilities for creating and maintaining a safeguarding environment, managers are responsible for ensuring their team members complete all required training. Managers must also communicate any safeguarding-specific responsibilities that team members have during the life cycle of the project.
• Implementing partners, contractors and suppliers: For information related to training for implementing partners, contractors and suppliers, please review Standard 6.
• Visitors: All casual visitors and visiting Habitat for Humanity India staff members are given a verbal safeguarding briefing before visiting a project Whenever possible and according to local practice, visitors will sign the Code of Conduct and/or Safeguarding Policy.

Standard 10: Raising awareness

• Awareness materials: Signs or posters will be affixed in all Habitat offices and at work sites with messaging about the “do no harm” principle and information on how to report a safeguarding allegation. Such messages may include “zero tolerance” for child abuse, SEAH, labor exploitation, and other human rights abuses; the right of community members to be protected from such harms; and Habitat’s prohibition against the exchange of services or resources for sex or exploitative labor (e.g., drawing a distinction between sweat equity and forced labor).

• Availability of information: Safeguarding information and policies will be available in local languages. Materials will be child-friendly and understandable across a range of cognitive and developmental abilities. Words and concepts used in awareness-raising materials will be adapted to the local context. Communities will have access to information about the safeguarding risks and project benefits associated with Habitat’s work in the community.

Reporting

Standard 11: Reporting procedures and mechanisms

We endeavor to prevent harm through the activities outlined in this policy and its accompanying procedures. We also recognize that in our endeavor to reduce safeguarding incidents from occurring or recurring, our representatives have the responsibility of detecting and reporting concerns, as early as possible, to interrupt harms to children, at-risk adults, community members and our colleagues, whether internal or external to Habitat. All Habitat offices are expected to adopt clear management protocols and procedures on how to manage a safeguarding concern.

• Responsibility to report: All Habitat representatives, especially managers, have the responsibility to report

any conduct or unsafe programming activities that may be a breach of this policy or its procedures.

• Whistleblower Policy: Habitat for Humanity \Whistleblower Policy expressly prohibits retaliation and protects representatives engaged in good faith reporting from retaliation or any threat of retaliation by any other Habitat representative. Any person who engages in retaliation will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment. (Note: Intentional submission of false allegations is a fraudulent activity and will be handled in accordance with Habitat for Humanity India’s policies.)
• Failure to report: We recognize our collective duty to create safe, healthy work and project environments. Failure to timely report a safeguarding concern, suspicion or known incident will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment or contract. Failing to report is a serious breach of this policy and leaves the child, at-risk adult, community member or colleague experiencing the alleged harm vulnerable to further harm without appropriate and timely intervention.

• Reporting misconduct or unsafe programming: Any Habitat for Humanity India representative who receives a safeguarding complaint or who has knowledge or reasonable suspicion of safeguarding misconduct (whether by a Habitat for Humanity India representative or any other organization’s representatives operating in the local context) or who knows of any unsafe programming risks must engage the following protocol:
  • How to report: Inform their direct supervisor of the concern, suspicion, incident or complaint. If the representative has reason to believe that their direct supervisor may either be involved in the misconduct or has a conflict of interest in connection with it, the reporting party may report to:
    • A higher-level supervisor in their reporting line; or
    • The global or area office safeguarding officer, the local safeguarding focal point, a Human Resources Officer, the Governance Risk and Compliance department, the HFHI Internal Audit department; or
    • The Habitat Ethics and Accountability Line, or HEAL (e.g., internal reporting channel).
    • Call upon our helpline number (+91) 9355507592 or email us at [email protected]

All reported concerns and allegations received by a safeguarding adviser, Director, officer or focal point; any manager, supervisor or HR personnel; or any member of the GRC or Internal Audit must be entered into HEAL within 24 hours of notice.

• Confidentiality and anonymity: Report a concern anonymously or in A representative may choose to report a concern anonymously — in other words, without identifying who they are. When a report is made anonymously, Habitat for Humanity India has no means for identifying or attributing the source of the information. Whether the reporter wishes to be anonymous or identified, all safeguarding reports are confidential.
• Timing: All Habitat for Humanity India representatives are required to report any safeguarding concern as soon as it becomes known but, in any case, within 24 hours or one business day.
• Local reporting mechanisms: Habitat for Humanity India will ensure that there are project-specific, local reporting mechanisms that are functional and confidential for all children, adults, community members and Habitat for Humanity International representatives to access.
• Report management: All reported concerns of unsafe programming or alleged safeguarding misconduct are managed through HEAL. It is critical that any concern, suspicion or known incident is reported in a timely manner to ensure that that GRC within Habitat for Humanity International and Habitat for Humanity India can mobilize a response to interrupt harm, address any imminent safety issues, and deliver time- sensitive care and services. HEAL is Habitat for Humanity International’s confidential, anonymous reporting hotline and central tracking repository for allegations of serious misconduct made by or against any Habitat stakeholder anywhere in the Habitat for Humanity International network.
• Reporter’s responsibilities: Because of the sensitivity of safeguarding, anyone reporting a concern (“reporter”) must not start an investigation on their own or engage in investigation-type activities. Reporters are responsible for reporting information shared with them or events that they heard or witnessed directly but should refrain from gathering evidence or questioning the child, adult or staff member affected by the alleged misconduct or unsafe programming activity. Furthermore, reporters must not inform or question potential witnesses or the person who has allegedly engaged in misconduct.
• Community feedback loop: Whenever safe and practical, Habitat for Humanity India will provide feedback to the community about reported safeguarding incidents to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of each concern. Because of confidentiality, it will not be possible to share specific information without the full informed consent of the person affected, including assent from any affected child. The regional safeguarding adviser or a designee will collaborate with the MEAL team to design a feedback loop as part of the local community feedback and reporting mechanism, or CFRM.

• External reporting to authorities, donors or the public: Where required or appropriate because of a contractual, legal or other donor obligation, there are circumstances where it is required or appropriate for Habitat for Humanity India’s and/or Habitat for Humanity International to disclose alleged or confirmed safeguarding misconduct to external parties, such as donors, regulators or other governing bodies. Decisions related to “whether, what and to whom” to report externally under such circumstances will be guided by:
  • Jurisdictional or legal requirements within the country where the alleged incident
  • Any requirements defined in Habitat for Humanity India’s and/or Habitat for Humanity International contractual commitments to external parties (e.g., reporting requirements based on a grant agreement, etc.).
  • Any requirements for mandatory reporting of serious incidents that are established by charity watchdogs or other governing bodies in the relevant jurisdiction, such as required by the UK Charities Commission and other comparable organizations.

As appropriate to raise awareness and demonstrate public accountability, Habitat for Humanity International and or Habitat for Humanity India may voluntarily share information related to allegations of safeguarding misconduct and/or investigations, as guided by the parallel philosophies of transparency (to donors, regulators) and confidentiality (protection of affected parties).

Habitat for Humanity India and/or Habitat for Humanity International may choose to report certain issues to donors or governing bodies where no clear contractual or legal requirement exists but where we determine the disclosure to be in the best interest of the public trust.

Habitat for Humanity India and Habitat for Humanity International will provide the Habitat for Humanity International board of directors and Habitat for Humanity India’s board of directors with routine updates on safeguarding allegations and investigations to facilitate proper oversight.

Response

Standard 12: Responding to reported concerns

Habitat for Humanity International handles all safeguarding investigations with due diligence and professional care and has established an independent investigations unit within the Governance, Risk Management and Compliance, or GRC, department. The GRC unit is composed of experienced investigators specifically trained in safeguarding investigations, including sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. In addition, GRC’s investigators may partner with third-party legal and investigative experts to assist in conducting safeguarding investigations. Further details of the expected processes when conducting appropriate safeguarding investigations can be found in the safeguarding procedures and the Investigations Handbook.

• Investigation procedures and legal mapping: Our investigation procedures include best practices and established protocols to ensure due process and consistent management of safeguarding allegations. Upon receipt of an allegation, the report will be screened and triaged to ensure all necessary information has been reported so that Habitat for Humanity International can plan the best approach and mobilize a response, this include coordination with Habitat for Humanity As part of our response, we will engage in a legal mapping exercise to comply with local or national laws while identifying any protective risks that may threaten further harm (e.g., if reporting to local authorities increases harm to the affected child or adult).

• Trauma-informed practice: We will engage trauma-informed practices by consulting with any child or adult harmed by alleged misconduct to ensure that their rights and wishes are prioritized and supported.
• After- and survivor-care referrals: Any child or adult affected by misconduct (referred to as a “victim,” “survivor,” or “affected individual”) has the right to receive immediate and ongoing support to aid in their recovery. The provision of appropriate assistance following a safeguarding breach is guided by the Survivor Support Services Framework. Habitat for Humanity India will also maintain an aftercare directory that will record community-based services where referrals can be made. This framework ensures that affected individuals are consulted as part of a comprehensive safety and risk assessment, which informs their short-, medium-, and long-term care needs while considering any risks associated with service delivery and/or investigative processes. Humanity International fully supports Habitat for Humanity India in adhering to the Survivor Support Services Framework, and Habitat India maintains regular updates on its implementation.

• Communications: We are committed to communicating with the child or adult affected by the alleged misconduct throughout and upon conclusion of the investigation.
• Investigations: Habitat for Humanity India will investigate all credible safeguarding concerns, collect evidence, conduct interviews with witnesses, and reach a conclusion based upon the weight of the evidence and applying the workplace standard of proof (e.g., more likely than not to have occurred).
• Management response: Final investigation reports will help to inform the necessary management response, action plans and/or application of lessons learned.

Retaliation

We will not tolerate retaliation against any representative who has engaged in a legally protected activity. Protected activities include good faith reporting of a safeguarding allegation, participation in a safeguarding investigation, and reasonably opposing conduct made unlawful by the local laws, legislation or regulations where the misconduct is alleged to have occurred.

Anyone who has engaged in retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and in accordance with our disciplinary protocols.

Retaliation can take many forms. Adverse actions that may indicate retaliation has occurred include but are not limited to:

• Demotion, reassignment, or transfer.
• Termination
• Salary or benefit
• Exclusion or being passed over for
• Denial of time off, a promotion or a
• An unwarranted negative performance review.
• Harassment
• Threats.
• Any other form of physical, psychological, social, spiritual or financial harm.

Any representative who experiences or believes they have experienced retaliation should report it immediately.

Confidentiality

We observe the principle of confidentiality throughout our safeguarding case management processes. Wherever possible, private information will be shared with people who “need to know” and only after analyzing the requirements and use of the information. People who need to know may include specific people in Habitat for Humanity India and Habitat for Humanity International leadership, GRC/safeguarding investigators, or external parties such as attorneys, law enforcement, courts, regulatory authorities and/or donors.

We believe in managing information with confidentiality to:

• Prevent harm that can be caused when information is not shared in an ethical or responsible way.
• Safeguard against the misuse of information.
• Protect the reputation of people and Habitat for Humanity.
• Encourage reporting by building trust.

For these reasons, we will protect the identities of all witnesses (e.g., complainants, reporters, respondents and general witnesses) wherever safety issues require and whenever possible in conformity with local laws. Any information that Habitat for Humanity India or Habitat for Humanity International is required to share will be reviewed with the legal and GRC teams before it is released to any external party or authorities. In the case that confidential information must be disclosed, any witness will be informed about how their information is being shared.

Informed consent and assent

We believe that fully informed consent and child assent are critical to promote the rights of children and adults and to dismantle oppressive and exploitative practices to which marginalized and disenfranchised communities have historically been subjected. As we engage children and adults, we are committed to ensuring that they understand the risks and benefits of their participation and the uses of their sensitive data or personally identifiable information, or PII.

We will never coerce, require, rush or manipulate any child or adult to consent or assent to any activity. Whenever the activity for which we are seeking consent and assent (e.g., photos for communications or fundraising) is not required to receive the service or benefit being offered, Habitat for Humanity India will not withhold or refuse services, programs or access to resources because of the child’s or adult’s refusal.

Children and adults may rescind informed consent or assent at any time. In any case where consent or assent of a photo, video or story has been revoked, Habitat for Humanity India will make reasonable efforts to ensure that all such materials are removed from circulation. The child and/or adult will be informed of any limitations involved in retracting

materials (e.g., if images, films or stories are archived but searchable news articles, commercials or marketing materials have been released to the public) at the time that informed consent and assent is given.

Revision/review history

7) Safeguarding Code of Conduct and Commitment

I commit that I
1. Will respect, promote and safeguard the rights and dignity of all people (with particular attention to homeowners, vulnerable adults and children) without discrimination or bullying of any kind.
2. Will treat all intended and actual homeowners with respect, courtesy and dignity.
3. Will treat children and vulnerable adults in a manner which is respectful of their rights, integrity, and dignity and considers their best interests regardless of age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, race, language, religious, region or political beliefs, marital status, disability, physical or mental health, family, socio-economic or cultural background, class, or any history of conflict with the law.
4. Will help to create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of homeowners, research participants, and community members (especially vulnerable adults and children), and promote the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.
5. Will adhere to the Policy on Safeguarding and be open and honest in my dealings with children and vulnerable adults, their families, and communities participating in programmes, projects, processes, events, and activities.
6. Will display high standards of professional behavior at all times, providing a positive role model for children and vulnerable adults.
7. Will never ask for or accept personal contact details or invitations to share personal contact details (this includes email, phone numbers, social media contacts, address, webcam, Skype, etc.) from any child or vulnerable adult (until required for work purpose) or family associated or formerly associated with our work or share my own personal contact details with such individuals except where this has been explicitly authorized by the organization.
8. Will always ensure that when on an official or work visit, and I wish to take pictures of children and vulnerable adults, associated with the organization, for personal use,
I will –
• Always consult first with the office to make sure that it is ok to take pictures in the local context and that the intended use of the pictures does not conflict with organizational policies.
• Ask permission of the child or vulnerable adult (or in the case of young children, their parent or guardian) informing them of the specific purpose(s) and intended use (including how and where) and respect their decision to say no making it clear that there will be absolutely no negative repercussions from denying such consent.
• Ensure the images are respectful and do not impact negatively on their dignity and privacy.
• Ensure that the use of the images does not put the child or vulnerable adult at risk of being identified or located.
• Never upload the images of children and vulnerable adults, associated with Habitat India program and partner organization to non-organizational social media pages without the full and explicit consent of HFH India.

I commit, that I will not –
1. Engage in any form of humiliating, degrading, or exploitative behavior toward beneficiaries in any circumstances.
2. Engage in any abuse of authority, position or influence by withholding humanitarian assistance or manipulating selection or targeting processes for beneficiaries.
3. Condone, endorse or participate in any illegal activities conducive to theft, corruption, conflicts of interest, or other activities seeking illegal economic gains.
4. Engage in sexual exploitation or abuse of children and vulnerable adults.
5. Engage in sexual activity with a child (person under the age of 18). Mistaken belief in the age of a child is not a defense.
6. Exchange money, employment, goods or services, including assistance that is due to homeowners, for sex, sexual favors or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior.
7. Engage in a sexual relationship with a homeowner, since it is based on inherently unequal power dynamics and undermines the credibility and integrity of humanitarian aid work as well as, it undermines the credibility of an organization.
8. Abuse or exploit a child, young person or adult at risk or behave in any way that places them at risk of harm, including through harmful traditional practices such as, for example, forced or child marriage.
9. Use physical punishment/discipline or use of physical force of any kind towards children and young people.
10. Use language or behave towards a child, young person or adult at risk in a way that is inappropriate, offensive, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate.
11. Have a child or vulnerable adult, with whom I am in contact in a work-related context, stay overnight at my home or any other personal residential location or accommodation, unless approved through the organizational processes and duly informed to the safeguarding focal point.
12. Spend time alone away from others with children and vulnerable adult, with whom I am in contact in a work-related context. I will always make sure that another authorized adult is with me and/or I am with the children and vulnerable adult in an open public place, where others are around and in plain view of others.
13. Use computers, mobile phones, or video/digital cameras or other electronic devices, to access, view, create, download, or distribute pornography, especially abusive images of children.
14. Store any information related to children and vulnerable adult on my personal device and use it for the purpose of commercial gains.
15. If I develop concerns or suspicions regarding sexual abuse or exploitation by a fellow worker (whether a staff, contractor, volunteer or supplier of Habitat for Humanity India or another humanitarian aid agency), I will report such concerns to Habitat India via established reporting protocols.