Here in the AWID Community, we believe that building the transformations we want to see in the world starts with ourselves and how we treat each other. We are dedicated to creating and protecting safe and supportive spaces for our communities both online and in person. We also consider that safe and welcoming spaces are co-created.

We are dedicated to building the AWID Community together as a space that invites and challenges us all to operate from a place of courage, curiosity, generosity and shared responsibility.

We are committed to building a space free from harassment and violence regardless of one’s gender identity or expression, race, ability, religion, language, ethnicity, age, occupation, sexual orientation, body size or physical appearance.

To accomplish this, all AWID Community members agree to be bound by and accountable to these Community Agreements in all interactions and engagements on the AWID Community platform.

Purpose of the AWID Community Agreements

The Community Agreements aim to

1. Collectively build the AWID Community as a space that requires all of us to share responsibility with bringing our truths and experiences to the space. We will act courageously, take responsibility for our actions and how they may impact others, as well as keep confidentiality.
2. Define shared principles of engagement and a shared understanding of what is considered a violation within the Community.
3. Make clear the process of accountability and conflict resolution that will be implemented in the AWID Community.

Principles of Engagement in the AWID Community

We commit to co-creating the AWID Community as a space to

Connect with care

• Connect with others, help break isolation and further solidarity. It’s easy to feel lost and alone, and a little friendliness and responsiveness goes a long way.
• Be honest, open and heartfelt. Speak and share authentically about your experiences, your challenges, your hopes and dreams, and your vision for your own life and your community.
• Practice active listening and learning, interact and engage peacefully. Legitimate differences in opinion will naturally arise, so please consider these differences as useful for expanding your ways of seeing the world.
• Listen and make adjustments in your behavior and ways of engaging if someone says they feel uncomfortable. Don’t ask others questions that you wouldn't want to be asked yourself.
• Stay safe! We encourage you to take measures to protect yourself online and in person, especially if you have reason to believe that speaking out will put you in danger. Members may use aliases or profile images that conceal their identity. For more information please refer to the “Digital Security First Aid Kit for Human Rights Defenders” produced by APC - Association for Progressive Communications.

Respect

• Help build a space that recognizes, validates and celebrates multiple lived experiences and diversities of bodies and gender expressions. Recognize that we all carry intersectional identities.
• Use inclusive language.
• Be respectful of people’s identities and self-determination and always make sure to use people’s preferred pronouns.
• Avoid oppressive language and behavior, which includes harassment, verbal or physical violence, violation of consent, and any action that perpetuates classism, ageism, ableism, racism, misogyny, heterosexism, transphobia and other oppressions. If needed, please reach out to AWID staff.
• Be mindful and credit others for their work and activism. Remember that we are all working collectively to contribute to change-- Ensure that you recognize the contribution of others and credit them when appropriate e.g. in discussions, or in articles, pictures etc.
• Respect the privacy needs of others! Do not share or forward any information without explicit permission. As a rule of thumb, what is shared within the AWID Community by members should stay within the AWID Community, please obtain prior consent before sharing content posted by other members externally.

What to expect from AWID in this space?

• AWID will communicate our processes and policies clearly and transparently.
• We will take quick action to reduce harm.
• We will engage in continuous listening and learning to improve member experience of the AWID Community.

Violations of AWID Community Agreements

• Offensive or unwelcome comments, including, slurs, negative stereotyping, and discriminatory remarks disguised as humor, based on gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or physical appearance;
• Distribution, display, or discussion of written or graphic material that ridicules, insults, or shows hostility or disrespect toward an individual or group because of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or physical appearance;
• Deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent;
• Deliberate or repeated misgendering or use of rejected names;
• Intimidation or silencing, including sustained and deliberate disruption of discussion;
• Threats of violence or incitement of violence, including encouraging a person to engage in self-harm;
• Stalking or following, including repeated one-on-one communication despite requests to cease, continued communications with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm, unwanted photography or recording, and tracking and logging online activity without consent;
• Failure to safeguard confidential or privately shared information, including publication of private communication without consent;
• Unwelcome sexual attention, including innuendoes, suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, lewd remarks and obscene gestures, and requests for sexual favors (including repeated and unwelcome requests for dates)

We believe that reporting instances of harassment or bullying is not easy, we understand the power dynamics at play, and are committed to supporting those who come forward and continually improving our processes.

AWID reserves the right to delete comments, suspend or revoke membership when our Community Agreements have been violated.

AWID Community members are not authorized to represent AWID in any official capacity. Members cannot use AWID Community spaces to proselytize or recruit members to join a religious faith or organization. Members cannot use AWID Community spaces to request funds for personal use although links to external fundraising efforts or activism campaigns are permissible.

How to report a post or contact us about a violation?

If you are concerned that the AWID Community Agreements are being violated, or would like to reach out for support there are three ways in which you can do so

1. Submit your concerns via the Get Support form on the AWID Community platform.
2. Report a post on the Live Feed or The Kitchen Table by clicking on the three dots at the top right hand corner of the post or thread.
3. Write directly to Michelle D’cruz - Membership and Constituency Engagement Coordinator at [email protected].

We will actively listen to your concerns and ask questions as needed to advance the resolution. In consultation with you, the point person will discuss possible solutions.

How we respond to information about violations?

Depending on the severity of the complaint, the response may include:

• An intervention or reminder of the Community Agreements in the AWID Community space.
• Removal of the post in question, a public message will be posted to indicate that a post was removed and the reasons for removal.
• A conversation with the Membership and Constituency Engagement Coordinator and the person accused of causing harm asking that they immediately stop the behavior.
• A mediated conversation between the person making the complaint and the person accused of causing harm.
• Removing the person accused of causing harm from the AWID Community space.

In the absence of someone filing a complaint with the Membership and Constituency Engagement team or through the form on the AWID Community, those found to be disrupting the space will be asked to immediately stop their behavior. If they persist, they may be asked to leave the AWID Community. Any removal or banning of an individual from the AWID Community will be reviewed by AWID staff and leadership.

Violations by AWID Staff

In the instance where the person accused of causing harm is an AWID staff person, the Membership and Constituency Engagement Director (if not implicated) and an AWID Community member (external to the organization) will act as the supporting body tasked with receiving the complaint and helping to develop an appropriate resolution process.

Disclosure

Given the nature of AWID Community spaces like the Live Feed and The Kitchen Table, where AWID does not approve content before it is posted, and anyone logged in is able to see posts, violations and actions taken to address the situation will be posted on the AWID Community platform on a quarterly basis.

We will prioritize confidentiality and will respect confidentiality requests made. We will not disclose the names of those harmed without their expressed consent.

When and where do the Community Agreements apply?

Community Agreements apply in all AWID Community programs, events, and spaces, both online and offline.