LekhanKala Code of Conduct

Lekhan Kala

LekhanKala Code of Conduct

Effective Date: July, 2026
Review Cycle: Every two years or earlier if required
Approved By: Executive Board of LekhanKala

1. Purpose

LekhanKala.org is committed to integrity, professionalism, accountability, respect, safeguarding, transparency, and ethical principles in all its work. This commitment supports the organization’s mission and separate identity.

This Code of Conduct defines the expected standards of behavior for all individuals who work with, represent, or act on behalf of LekhanKala.org. It supports the organization’s mission and protects children, young people, beneficiaries, personnel, partners, communities, organizational resources, and the organization’s reputation and integrity.

The Code reinforces LekhanKala.org’s devotion to human rights, child rights, safeguarding, gender equality, inclusion, non-discrimination, good governance, accountability, and responsible partnership.

Relevant international standards, including United Nations standards of conduct and principles on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, guide the Code. It remains subject to the laws of Nepal and other jurisdictions where LekhanKala.org operates.

2. Scope

This Code applies to:

* Board and governing body members;
* Employees and personnel;
* Volunteers and interns;
* Consultants and advisors;
* Trainers, facilitators and researchers;
* Project personnel and representatives;
* Contractors and subcontractors;
* Partners and implementing organizations, where applicable;
* Individuals representing LekhanKala.org at events, meetings, schools, communities, or online;
* Any other person acting on behalf of or under the authority of LekhanKala.org.

LekhanKala.org will require partners, contractors, and third parties to comply with equivalent standards of conduct where appropriate, consistent with its values and work.

3. Core Principles

All persons covered by this Code are expected to uphold the following principles:

We act honestly, responsibly, transparently, and in good faith. We do not misuse our position, authority, organizational resources, or relationships for personal benefit.

3.2 Respect for Human Rights

We respect the dignity, rights, and freedoms of every person and promote universally recognized human rights.

3.3 Child Rights and Best Interests of the Child

The safety, dignity, rights, and best interests of children are fundamental considerations in all activities involving children.

3.4 Equality and Non-Discrimination

We treat people fairly and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, nationality, language, gender, disability, age, social background, economic status, religion, political opinion, or any other protected or irrelevant characteristic.

3.5 Accountability

We accept responsibility for our decisions and actions and cooperate with legitimate reviews, audits, investigations and accountability processes.

3.6 Transparency

We communicate honestly and keep accurate, appropriate records of organizational activities and resources.

3.7 Professionalism

We perform our responsibilities competently, responsibly, respectfully and in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws, reflecting LekhanKala.org’s standards in all its work.

3.8 Do No Harm

We seek to identify and reduce risks that could cause physical, psychological, social, economic, reputational, or environmental harm to beneficiaries, communities, or other stakeholders.

4. Standards of Professional Conduct

All personnel shall follow applicable laws, enterprise policies, and procedures.

1. Protect the rights, dignity, safety, and privacy of beneficiaries and colleagues.
2. Maintain suitable professional boundaries.
3. Use organizational authority only for legitimate organizational purposes.
4. Protect confidential and sensitive information.
5. Use organizational property and resources responsibly.
6. Declare actual, potential, or apparent conflicts of interest.
7. Report suspected misconduct, abuse, fraud, corruption, or other serious violations via established channels.
8. Cooperate honestly with authorized investigations and reviews.
9. Avoid conduct that could damage the safety, dignity, or trust of beneficiaries or the reputation of LekhanKala.org.

5. Protection of Children and Young People

As LekhanKala.org works with children and young people, all personnel have an increased responsibility to protect them from harm.

Personnel must maintain suitable professional boundaries.

* Never exploit a child’s vulnerability, dependence or trust.
* Never use physical punishment, intimidation, humiliation or degrading treatment.
* Never engage in sexual activity or sexually inappropriate behavior with a child.
* Never communicate with children in a manner that is sexually suggestive, exploitative or inappropriate.
* Never arrange inappropriate private meetings with children.
* Never use children for personal, political, commercial or corporate advantage.
* Follow LekhanKala.org’s Child Safeguarding Policy and related procedures.
* Report safeguarding concerns immediately through the organization’s established reporting channels.

For safeguarding purposes, a child is any person under the age of 18, regardless of the local age of majority or consent.

6. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

LekhanKala.org maintains a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.

Sexual exploitation and sexual abuse are prohibited in all organizational activities and relationships.

Personnel must never:

* Sexually exploit or abuse a beneficiary or any other person;
* Exchange money, employment, goods, services, assistance or other benefits for sexual favors or sexual activity;
* Abuse a position of vulnerability, unequal power or trust for sexual purposes;
* Engage in sexual activity with a person under 18 years of age;
* Use organizational authority or access to beneficiaries for sexual purposes;
* Facilitate, encourage, conceal, or tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse.

Report suspected or known cases through existing mechanisms. Respect confidentiality, dignity, safety, and the principle of doing no harm when handling allegations.

LekhanKala.org commits to applying the relevant principles of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13). The UN identifies sexual exploitation and abuse as prohibited conduct and stresses prevention, reporting, and accountability.

7. Sexual Harassment, Harassment and Abuse of Authority

LekhanKala.org does not tolerate:

* Sexual harassment;
* Bullying;
* Intimidation;
* Threats;
* Psychological abuse;
* Verbal abuse;
* Humiliation;
* Abuse of authority;
* Retaliation;
* Unwelcome sexual attention;
* Any other conduct that creates a hostile, intimidating, or unsafe environment.

Individuals in positions of authority have a particular responsibility to exercise power fairly and responsibly and must never use their position to exploit, intimidate, or improperly influence others.

8. Discrimination and Inclusion

LekhanKala.org is committed to an open environment in which everyone is treated fairly and with dignity.

Personnel shall not discriminate against beneficiaries, colleagues, partners, volunteers, or other stakeholders.

Take reasonable measures to promote meaningful participation and access to persons who may encounter barriers to participation.

9. Abuse, Exploitation and Neglect

Personnel must never:

* Exploit a person’s vulnerability;
* Take advantage of beneficiaries for personal gain;
* Threaten or intimidate beneficiaries;
* Use organizational resources to manipulate or control beneficiaries;
* Engage in degrading or humiliating treatment;
* Neglect reasonable safeguarding responsibilities;
* Facilitate trafficking, forced labor or other forms of exploitation.

Any suspected serious abuse or exploitation must be reported promptly via appropriate channels.

10. Photography, Filming and Media

As LekhanKala.org conducts writing, journalism, storytelling, photography, and media activities, personnel must respect privacy, dignity, and informed consent in all such work, while expressing the organization’s identity in its public-facing work.

Personnel must:

* Obtain appropriate consent before photographing, filming, recording or publishing identifiable individuals;
* Obtain appropriate parental or guardian consent for children where required;
* Explain, in understandable language, how images or recordings may be used;
* Respect requests not to be photographed or recorded;
* Avoid images that are degrading, humiliating, exploitative, or unsafe;
* Never manipulate images in a manner that misrepresents or harms a person;
* Store photographs, videos, and recordings securely;
* Follow LekhanKala.org’s Photography & Media Consent Policy.

Children must never be portrayed in a manner that compromises their dignity, safety or best interests.

11. Confidentiality and Records Protection

Personnel may have access to personal, organizational, financial, or safeguarding information.

Such information must:

* Be accessed only for lawful purposes;
* Be stored securely;
* Not be disclosed without authorization or lawful basis;
* Be shared only with persons who have a legitimate need to know;
* Be handled particularly carefully where children or vulnerable persons are concerned.

Confidentiality does not prevent or prohibit appropriate reporting of serious misconduct, safeguarding concerns or unlawful activity.

12. Digital and Social Media Conduct

Personnel representing LekhanKala.org online must communicate responsibly and respectfully, reflecting LekhanKala.org’s identity.

Personnel shall not:

* Publish confidential information without authorization;
* Share personal information of beneficiaries without appropriate consent;
* Publish exploitative or inappropriate images of children;
* Use organizational platforms for harassment or discrimination;
* Present private opinions as official organizational positions without authorization;
* Publish misleading or knowingly false information on behalf of the organization;
* Use organizational accounts for unlawful or unethical activities.

Online communication involving children must follow safeguarding and child protection requirements.

13. Journalism, Writing and Information Integrity

LekhanKala.org promotes responsible writing, journalism and information literacy.

Personnel engaged in journalism, research, storytelling or public communication shall:

* Seek accuracy and equity;
* Verify information where reasonably possible;
* Distinguish fact, opinion and interpretation;
* Honor privacy and confidentiality;
* Avoid plagiarism and unauthorized use of licensed material;
* Provide appropriate attribution;
* Avoid fabrication, manipulation or deliberate misrepresentation;
* Correct significant errors where appropriate;
* Avoid exposing beneficiaries to unnecessary risk through published material.

14. Fraud and Corruption

LekhanKala.org has zero tolerance for fraud, bribery, corruption, embezzlement, theft, or deliberate misuse of organizational resources.

Personnel shall not:

* Offer or accept bribes;
* Falsify financial or corporate records;
* Misappropriate organizational funds or property;
* Submit false expenses or claims;
* Divert donor or project funds;
* Manipulate procurement or selection processes;
* Accept improper benefits in exchange for organizational decisions;
* Conceal financial misconduct.

All organizational resources must be employed responsibly and for legitimate authorized purposes.

15. Gifts, Hospitality and Benefits

Personnel must not accept gifts, payments, favors, hospitality or other benefits that could improperly influence, or appear to influence, organizational decisions.

Personnel must disclose any gift or benefit that could create a conflict of interest or obligation to the appropriate organizational authority.

16. Conflict of Interest

Personnel must act in LekhanKala.org’s best interests and disclose any actual, potential, or apparent conflicts of interest, including where LekhanKala.org’s mission, values, or beneficiaries may be affected.

Conflicts may arise when personal, family, financial, professional, or other interests could improperly influence decisions affecting LekhanKala.org’s mission, beneficiaries, or operations.

Personnel must not participate in decisions if they have an undisclosed or unmanaged conflict of interest affecting LekhanKala.org.

17. Procurement and Financial Responsibility

Personnel involved in procurement or financial decisions must act fairly, transparently, and objectively, reflecting LekhanKala.org’s standards and priorities.

They must:

* Follow applicable procurement procedures;
* Avoid favoritism;
* Declare conflicts of interest;
* Maintain appropriate documentation;
* Protect organizational resources;
* Ensure expenditures are properly authorized;
* Avoid personal benefit from organizational transactions.

18. Political and Other External Activities

LekhanKala.org respects each individual’s right to participate in lawful civic and political activities in a personal capacity, while maintaining its own separate identity and non-partisan position.

However, personnel must not:

* Represent personal political views as the official position of LekhanKala.org without authorization;
* Use organizational resources for unauthorized political campaigning;
* Use organizational beneficiaries or programs for partisan political purposes;
* Allow external affiliations to compromise professional responsibilities.

19. Environmental and Social Responsibility

LekhanKala.org aims to advance its activities in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

Personnel should:

* Avoid unnecessary environmental harm;
* Use resources efficiently;
* Promote accountable waste management;
* Consider social and environmental risks when planning activities;
* Respect local communities and stakeholders;
* Promote broad and eco-conscious practices.

20. Use of Organizational Property and Resources

Use organizational funds, equipment, documents, technology, vehicles, facilities, accounts, and other resources only for authorized purposes that support LekhanKala.org’s work.

Personnel must take reasonable measures to prevent theft, loss, damage, unauthorized access, or misuse.

21. Reporting Misconduct

All individuals covered by this Code are responsible for reporting credible concerns regarding:

* Child abuse or safeguarding violations;
* Sexual exploitation or abuse;
* Sexual harassment;
* Discrimination;
* Fraud;
* Corruption;
* Theft;
* Conflicts of interest;
* Abuse of authority;
* Serious breaches of organizational policy;
* Other serious misconduct.

Reports may be submitted through the organization’s designated safeguarding, complaints, or misconduct reporting mechanism.

Reports must be made in good faith. Knowingly making false allegations or deliberately providing false information may itself constitute misconduct.

22. Confidentiality and Protection from Retaliation

LekhanKala.org will handle misconduct reports confidentially and sensitively, in accordance with applicable law, fair investigation requirements, and the organization’s safeguarding commitments.

No person will face retaliation for making a good-faith report or cooperating honestly with an authorized investigation.

Retaliation, intimidation, or threats against anyone who raises a legitimate concern or participates in an investigation are prohibited.
The UN framework similarly recognizes protection against retaliation for reporting misconduct and cooperating with authorized audits or investigations.

23. Response to Allegations

LLekhanKala.org will assess credible allegations and determine the appropriate response.
Depending on the nature and seriousness of the matter, this may include:

* Preliminary assessment;
* Internal review;
* Formal investigation;
* Administrative or disciplinary action;
* Corrective measures;
* Referral to competent authorities;
* Referral to appropriate protection or support services;
* Notification to relevant partners or donors where required.

Investigations must be conducted fairly, impartially, and with due regard for confidentiality and the rights of all persons involved.
24. Cooperation with Investigations and Audits

Personnel are expected to cooperate honestly with authorized investigations, audits, reviews, and accountability processes.
No person may intentionally obstruct, interfere with, conceal evidence from, or improperly influence an authorized investigation.

25. Management Responsibilities

The Board, Executive Director, and others with management responsibilities have an enhanced duty to lead in ways that reflect LekhanKala.org’s values and identity.

Managers must address credible allegations of serious misconduct.

26. Training and Awareness

LekhanKala.org will provide appropriate orientation, awareness, and training on this Code and related policies to all relevant personnel, with emphasis on the organization’s values, mission, and strong identity.

Particular attention will be given to personnel working directly with children or young people, and those responsible for safeguarding, finance, procurement, communications, or corporate decision-making.

The UN identifies training, awareness-raising, screening and risk assessment as important components of preventing misconduct and sexual exploitation and abuse.

27. Recruitment and Engagement

Where appropriate and legally permissible, LekhanKala.org will apply responsible recruitment and engagement practices, including reference checks and protection risk assessments for roles involving direct contact with children and vulnerable persons. Individuals with substantiated histories of serious misconduct must not be placed in positions where they could pose an unacceptable safeguarding risk.

28. Breaches of the Code

A breach of this Code may result in appropriate action, which may include:

* Verbal or written warning;
* Additional training or corrective measures;
* Removal from specific duties;
* Suspension;
* Termination of engagement;
* Termination of contractual or partnership arrangements;
* Referral to competent authorities where appropriate.

Serious misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, fraud, corruption, abuse of children, retaliation or serious abuse of authority, may result in immediate protective or administrative measures, subject to applicable law and due process.

29. Responsibilities of Partners and Contractors

Partners, contractors, consultants, subcontractors, and other third parties working with LekhanKala.org are expected to comply with applicable company standards and contractual requirements. Where relevant, agreements should include provisions relating to:

* Child safeguarding;
* Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse;
* Human rights;
* Anti-fraud and anti-corruption;
* Secrecy and data protection;
* Ethical conduct;
* Reporting of misconduct;
* Cooperation with investigations.

30. Acknowledgment and Compliance

AllAll personnel covered by this Code are expected to read, understand, and comply with it and with other applicable LekhanKala.org policies. Where required, personnel may be asked to confirm in writing that they have received, understood, and agree to comply with the Code. Failure to comply may result in appropriate action under corporate policies and applicable law.

31. Related Policies

This Code should be read alongside other applicable LekhanKala.org policies, including:* Child Safeguarding Policy;
* Photography & Media Consent Policy;
* Human Rights Policy;
* Code of Ethics;
* Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy;
* Conflict of Interest Policy;
* Complaints and Whistleblowing Policy;
* Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy;
* Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination Policy;
* Good Governance Policy;
* Financial Management and Procurement Policies;
* Other policies adopted by the organization.

If two policies address the same issue, refer to the more specific applicable policy.

32. Devotion with Continuous Improvement

LekhanKala.org recognizes that ethical conduct, safeguarding, and accountability require continuous improvement. The organization will periodically review this Code and related policies to reflect LekhanKala.org’s learning, changes in law, emerging risks, partner requirements, and relevant international standards.
LekhanKala.org is devoted to maintaining a culture where people are treated with dignity, concerns can be raised safely, misconduct is addressed appropriately, and beneficiaries’ rights and best interests remain central to LekhanKala.org’s work.

33. Declaration

I confirm that I have read and understood the LekhanKala.org Code of Conduct and agree to support its principles and requirements while working with, representing, or acting on behalf of LekhanKala.org.

Name: ________________________
Position/Role: ___________________
Signature: ______________________
Date: _________________________
For LekhanKala.org: _______________
Authorized Signature: ______________
Date: _________________________