Community Policy

Code of Conduct

GSSoC is committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and productive environment for everyone, regardless of background or experience level.

Last updated: March 2026

Contents

Our Pledge

We, as members, contributors, and leaders of the GSSoC community, pledge to make participation in our program a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body size, disability, ethnicity, sex characteristics, gender identity and expression, level of experience, education, socio-economic status, nationality, personal appearance, race, religion, or sexual identity and orientation.

We pledge to act and interact in ways that contribute to an open, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and healthy community.

Community Standards

Behaviours that contribute to a positive environment

  • Using welcoming and inclusive language in all communications
  • Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences
  • Accepting constructive criticism gracefully and using it to improve
  • Focusing on what is best for the broader community, not just individual interests
  • Showing genuine empathy towards other community members
  • Acknowledging your own mistakes and working to understand their impact

Unacceptable behaviours

  • Use of sexualised language or imagery, or unwelcome sexual attention or advances of any kind
  • Trolling, insulting or derogatory comments, and personal or political attacks
  • Public or private harassment, including persistent unsolicited contact
  • Publishing others' private information — including physical or email addresses — without explicit permission
  • Conduct that could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting
  • Deliberate misgendering or use of deadnames
  • Sustained disruption of community events, discussions, or review processes

Enforcement Responsibilities

GSSoC programme administrators and designated moderators are responsible for clarifying and enforcing these standards. They have the authority and responsibility to remove, edit, or reject contributions, comments, commits, code, issues, and other interactions that violate this Code of Conduct.

Moderation decisions will be communicated with clear reasoning. Administrators will act consistently and without favouritism.

Reporting

Instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behaviour may be reported to the GSSoC team at gssoc@girlscript.org. Reports are reviewed promptly, confidentially, and with genuine care for the reporter's safety.

The identity of reporters will be protected to the full extent possible. Retaliation against anyone who reports a violation in good faith is itself a violation of this Code of Conduct and will be treated accordingly.

Enforcement Consequences

1 — Correction

Private written communication providing clarity on the violation and an explanation of why the behaviour was inappropriate. A public apology may be requested.

2 — Warning

A formal warning with specific documented consequences for continued behaviour. A period of restricted interaction with the affected parties may be imposed.

3 — Temporary Suspension

Temporary removal from all programme interactions — including Discord, GitHub discussions, and events — for a defined period. No interaction with moderators during this period.

4 — Permanent Ban

Permanent removal from all programme interactions, current and future GSSoC editions, and any community spaces maintained by GirlScript Foundation.

This Code of Conduct is adapted from the Contributor Covenant, version 2.1. GirlScript Foundation asserts the right to apply additional standards specific to the GSSoC programme context.