Our Safeguarding Principles

Awareness

Description
We ensure a robust orientation for all staff, raising awareness of the risks and indicators of abuse and exploitation, and of their role in preventing and reporting it. Team members are required to read and sign our Code of Conduct before beginning their work, and suppliers must agree to our standards before doing business with us. We widely publicise our safeguarding standards and provide confidential reporting mechanisms.

Iguality’s commitments
Iguality will:

• Ensure staff and associated personnel receive safeguarding orientation appropriate to their role.
• Ensure all staff and associated personnel have access to this policy, are familiar with it, and understand their responsibilities.
• Provide guests visiting Iguality or our programs with this policy for review and information.
• Offer regular safeguarding training to all team members.
• Clearly communicate any changes in policy to everyone involved with Iguality.

Prevention

Description
We have developed a robust internal policy environment covering Safeguarding, PSEA, anti-bullying and abuse, whistleblowing, ethical behavior, and a comprehensive Code of Conduct. These are used to implement safeguarding procedures throughout the employment lifecycle — from recruitment to deployment. We maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy: abuse or exploitation are grounds for dismissal.

Iguality’s commitments
Iguality will:

• Apply appropriate safeguarding procedures during recruitment, management, and deployment of staff and associated personnel.
• Carry out operations in ways that protect people from the risk of harm related to Iguality.
• Appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure safeguarding remains a high priority.
• Respond promptly to safeguarding reports in line with due process.

Reporting

Description
We have created safe, confidential whistleblowing channels and promote them widely across the organisation in local languages. Whistle-blowers are protected from retaliation by colleagues or leadership. We also transparently share serious incidents with donors and regulators, and report criminal offences to the relevant authorities where it is safe to do so.

Iguality’s commitments
Iguality will:

• Ensure anyone can report a concern involving an Iguality team member or partner without fear of retaliation.
• Provide accessible and appropriate reporting options for staff and individuals who interact with us.
• Make referrals to relevant authorities when sexual exploitation, child abuse, or abuse of at-risk adults is suspected.
• Monitor safeguarding issues across the organisation and ensure proper implementation of safeguarding procedures.

Everyone at Iguality has a responsibility to report any suspected or confirmed safeguarding concern.

Response

Description
We are committed to a robust, victim-centred response to all safeguarding concerns. A designated person is assigned across the organisation and works with a high-level Protect Committee, which includes Executive and Board members. This ensures that all reports reach the highest levels and receive appropriate action. We also strive to offer physical, emotional, and psychological support to survivors of harm.

Iguality’s commitments
Iguality will:

• Take all safeguarding reports seriously.
• Act in the best interest of the person affected, involving them in decision-making where possible.
• Provide safe, appropriate advice and referrals based on individual needs.
• Collaborate with external organisations, including police and social services, to ensure proper support is available.
• Refer concerns about significant risk of harm to appropriate authorities.
• Keep information confidential unless there’s a duty of care or public interest concern.
• Contact emergency services in urgent situations and report immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.