Introduction
Twogere is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all individuals, especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults, who participate in or are impacted by our work. This safeguarding policy outlines our commitment to preventing harm, abuse, or exploitation and ensuring the highest standards of behavior and accountability across all our activities.
Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to:
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All Twogere staff, volunteers, contractors, board members, and representatives.
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Partners and third-party organizations associated with Twogere's programs and activities.
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Any individual engaged with Twogere's projects, whether on-site or remotely.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
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Protect all beneficiaries, particularly children, young people, and vulnerable adults, from harm, abuse, or exploitation.
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Establish a framework for identifying, reporting, and responding to safeguarding concerns.
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Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and respect in all interactions.
Definitions
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Safeguarding: Actions and measures taken to promote the welfare of individuals and protect them from harm.
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Abuse: Any action that harms or exploits a person physically, emotionally, sexually, or financially.
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Vulnerable Adults: Individuals aged 18 or above who may be unable to protect themselves due to mental or physical disabilities, illness, or other factors.
Our Safeguarding Commitments
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Zero Tolerance: Twogere maintains a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, or neglect in any form.
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Risk Prevention: All programs and activities are designed to minimize safeguarding risks.
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Empowerment: Empower individuals, particularly children and vulnerable groups, to understand their rights and how to raise concerns.
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Confidentiality: All safeguarding concerns and investigations will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
Key Principles
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Best Interests of the Individual: All decisions and actions must prioritize the safety and welfare of the individual.
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Non-Discrimination: Safeguarding measures apply to all individuals irrespective of gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.
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Transparency: Open and honest communication about safeguarding practices with stakeholders, partners, and the community.
Roles and Responsibilities
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Leadership and Management: Ensure safeguarding is embedded in Twogere's strategic objectives and allocate resources for effective implementation.
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Staff and Volunteers:
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Adhere to the safeguarding policy and code of conduct.
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Participate in regular safeguarding training.
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Report any safeguarding concerns promptly.
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Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO):
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Act as the primary point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
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Conduct risk assessments and investigations.
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Liaise with external safeguarding agencies where necessary.
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Partners and Contractors: Ensure alignment with Twogere’s safeguarding standards and sign a compliance agreement.
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Safeguarding Code of Conduct: All Twogere representatives must:
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Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
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Avoid inappropriate or harmful physical or verbal interactions.
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Report any safeguarding concerns immediately.
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Not engage in any form of abuse, exploitation, or neglect.
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Reporting and Responding to Concerns
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Reporting Mechanisms:
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Any safeguarding concern must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer at safeguarding@twogereug.org or via our confidential hotline (+256 754128149).
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Anonymous reporting is also available through our secure online form here.
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Investigation Process:
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All concerns will be acknowledged within 48 hours.
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An impartial investigation will be conducted within 14-21 working days.
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Appropriate action, including referral to law enforcement, will be taken where necessary.
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Whistleblower Protection:
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Twogere ensures that individuals who report safeguarding concerns are protected from retaliation or discrimination.
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Training and Awareness
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Mandatory Training: All staff and volunteers will undergo annual safeguarding training.
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Community Engagement: Twogere conducts awareness sessions with beneficiaries and partners to foster a culture of safeguarding.
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Policy Updates: This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure relevance and alignment with best practices.
Monitoring and Accountability
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Regular Audits: Safeguarding practices will be audited annually to identify areas of improvement.
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Feedback Mechanism: Beneficiaries and stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on safeguarding practices.
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Policy Enforcement: Non-compliance with this policy will result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment or partnerships.
For safeguarding concerns, report by clicking below: