A. GENERAL
IDEAFORAGE INNOVATIONS PRIVATE LIMITED (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) has a zero-tolerance approach towards child exploitation or abuse. The Company respects the rights of children and is committed to upholding & safeguarding their rights to protection against violence, exploitation, and abuse. Ideaforage Innovations Private Limited expects its workforce including others who work with the Company to have children’s best interests at the heart of their involvement with the Company and conduct themselves ethically & with integrity and avoid any conduct that results in contradiction of this Policy, whether during the normal course of conducting business or out of working hours.

B. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Each staff member is required to sign a declaration form annexed towards the end of this policy stating that:
1. S/he has read and understands the Child Protection Policy;
2. S/he will report to the Nodal Officer/ line manager and/or project manager any incident of child abuse or violation of child’s rights.

C. REFERENCES
1. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (and related Rules, 2012);
2. The National Policy for Children, 2013;
3. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (www.unicef.org/crc).

D. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Child Protection Policy (hereinafter referred to as “the Policy”) is to provide guidance on child protection issues and make the staff members aware of their responsibilities/ duties this Policy places on them.

E. SCOPE
This policy applies to the entire workforce in the Company involving employees, whatever their status (including those on contract), subcontractors, sub-consultants, and/or any other parties having business relations with the Company. Also, this policy applies to all operations, dealings, and transactions in all countries where the Company operates.

F. DEFINITIONS

1. Child 
   For the purpose of this Policy, a Child is defined as any person below the age of 18 (eighteen) years.
2. Child Abuse 
   Child Abuse or ‘maltreatment’ constitutes all forms of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional ill-treatment, neglect and negligent treatment, commercial or other exploitation of a child and includes any actions that result in actual or potential harm to a child. Child abuse may be a deliberate act, or it may be failing to act to prevent harm. Child abuse consists of anything that individuals, institutions, or processes do, or fail to do, intentionally or unintentionally, which harms a child, or damages their prospect of safe and healthy development into adulthood. Refer to Annexure A, for possible signs of child abuse.
3. Child Protection 
   Child Protection refers to preventing and responding to violence, exploitation, and abuse against children – including commercial and sexual exploitation, trafficking, child labor, and harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation and child marriage Within the context of this Policy, Child Protection defines preventative and responsive measures Ideaforage Innovations Private Limited undertakes to ensure that no child is subjected to child abuse and addresses additional responsibilities of Ideafroage Innovations Private limited (for the definition of Workforce, refer ‘E. Scope’ above) to ensure that work of the Company including programs/ projects, do not expose children to risk. 

G. POLICY

1. Policy Statement
   Ideaforage Innovations Private Limited is committed to the dignity and equality of all people in all the programs and projects we undertake – and especially to the principle that our projects should ‘do no harm. We are committed to creating a safe environment for children and, in line with their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and related statutes of the Government of India to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
2. Principles
   This Policy is informed by a set of principles which include:
   i.   Zero tolerance of child exploitation or abuse. 
   ii.  All children have equal rights to protection from abuse and exploitation.
   iii. Each child has a fundamental right to life, survival, and development.
   iv. All children should be encouraged to fulfill their potential, and inequality and discrimination should be challenged. 
   v. Children will be assured the right to express their views freely and this will be given ‘due weight’ in accordance with their age and level of maturity. We will not           discriminate against the child. The child will be treated with respect irrespective of gender, nationality or ethnic origin, religious or political beliefs, age, physical or   mental health, sexual preference and gender identity, family, socio-economic and cultural background, or any history of conflict with the law. 
   vi. Everybody has a responsibility to support the care and protection of children.
   vii. No child must come to harm as a result of their engagement with Ideaforage Innovations
   Private Limited as a sponsored child, a participant in a program/ project, or as part of any
   advocacy campaign of the Company. 

The above principles also extend to those individuals or organization (s) associated with the Company. Therefore, everyone working for or associated with Ideaforage Innovations Private Limited work must be aware of and adhere to the provisions of this policy.