Introduction
On 2nd May 2025, the Dhobi Women Network, in collaboration with the Mathare Social Justice Centre, hosted a Solidarity and Advocacy Event under the theme “In Defense of Equality and Dignity.” The event aimed to illuminate the struggles and vital contributions of domestic workers.
The event was originally planned for 1st May, World Labour Day, a public holiday recognizing workers’ contributions to the nation’s economy. However, the security apparatus, together with the government, blocked the event, citing that we could not organize a parallel workers’ celebration to that which was organized by the President at Uhuru Gardens. This raised questions about whether “mama fua” work qualifies as legitimate labour in Kenya. This exclusion underscores the marginalization of domestic workers, prompting the event’s rescheduling to 2nd May to amplify their voices and challenge such dismissive narratives.

Context and Significance
The event was supported by Mathare Social Justice Centre campaigns, namely; Ecological Justice Campaign, Teen Mums Campaign, Drugs and Crime Campaign, Legal Empowerment Hub, and Participatory Action Research Committee. Organizations such as Maisha Safe House, Safer Girls Generation, and Weslux Organisation also joined the Dhobi Women to commemorate this day. The event united domestic workers, advocates, and community members. It honored those who have lost their lives in domestic work and underscored the indispensable role of domestic workers in society, framing their challenges as global issues.
Central to the event was the recognition that knowledge empowers women to stand up for themselves. Forums like this are critical for equipping domestic workers with the awareness and confidence to combat harassment and exploitation. The event’s rallying cry, encapsulated in the quote “If you liberate yourself, you liberate your generation,” inspired participants to unite for their rights and dignity, addressing systemic issues such as lack of contracts, outdated labour laws, and meagre wages.
Kenya’s legal framework, rooted in the Constitution of Kenya (2010), guarantees every individual the right to human dignity. Article 30 affirms respectful treatment of workers free from any form of servitude and discrimination. The law mandates fair labour practices, equitable wages, and safe working conditions, providing a foundation to combat exploitation, abuse, and discriminatory practices faced by domestic workers.

Background of the Dhobi Women Network.
The Dhobi Women Network, a registered network that seeks to unite domestic workers from Mathare and beyond to confront severe workplace challenges, including sexual violence, physical assault, unpaid labour, and loss of life under exploitative conditions. The group collaborates with the Legal Empowerment Hub to provide recourse for domestic workers. The Dhobi Women Movement empowers workers through resources, legal support, and solidarity, addressing unfair wages, power imbalances, and exploitation to elevate the status of domestic work and foster a supportive community.
The network also promotes economic empowerment through table banking, a community-based savings and lending system, enhancing financial stability for domestic workers excluded from formal banking.
Objectives of the Event
The Solidarity and Advocacy Event aimed to amplify domestic workers’ voices and foster collective action against workplace injustices in the context of Labour Day, under the theme “In Defense of Equality and Dignity.”
Specific objectives included;
- Raising awareness of domestic workers’ struggles, emphasizing their societal role, and the power of knowledge in enabling women to stand up for themselves.
- Encouraging women to unite against harassment, inspired by the quote: “Eastleigh bila mama fua haiwezekani”. This statement translates and means that Eastleigh cannot sustain itself without domestic workers.
- Framing international solidarity of domestic workers’ challenges as a global issue, with the Weslux Organisation advocating for including boys in discussions.
- Strengthening collaboration with the Legal Empowerment Hub, Maisha Safe House, and Safer Girls Generation to support domestic workers who face assaults and sexual and gender based violence at their workplaces.
- Highlighting systemic issues like lack of contracts, outdated laws, and meagre wages through panel discussions.
- Promoting research-informed advocacy, as emphasized by the Research and Development Department.
- Reinforcing the importance of forums like this for empowering women to advocate for their rights.

Event Program & Activities
The event featured activities supported by Mathare Social Justice Centre campaigns and external organizations, emphasizing knowledge as a tool for empowerment:
- A solidarity walk from Mukinye to Dhobi Women Park, PCEA Sportsground Eastleigh, asserting the visibility of domestic workers whose labour is often hidden in private homes. The walk symbolized a reclaiming of public space, challenging the authorities’ dismissal of “mama fua” as non-labour and reinforcing the theme “In Defense of Equality and Dignity.”
- Speeches affirming the societal importance of domestic workers and the role of forums in equipping women with knowledge to combat exploitation.
- A panel discussion titled “Labor, Justice, and Gender addressed the following issues.
- Lack of contracts which leave domestic workers vulnerable to exploitation.
- Outdated labour laws that have failed to protect domestic workers, particularly “mama fua.”
- Meagre wages, which undermine workers’ dignity and financial stability.
- The intersection of gender, class, and labour precarity, including femicides, as raised by the Women in Social Justice Movement representative.
- The political marginalization of domestic workers, exemplified by the police’s refusal on 1st May, citing the President’s address to “employees” and questioning the legitimacy of “mama fua” labour.
- Contributions from supporting organizations and people;
- Maisha Safe House: Highlighted their role in providing safe houses for expectant teenage girls, offering protection and support. They delivered a detailed presentation on their work, providing a haven for teen girls who become pregnant while working as domestic workers. They shared stories of young women they have supported, emphasizing the need for protection from exploitation and access to education and healthcare.
- Safer Girls Generation: Shared educational initiatives to empower young girls with self-protection skills in domestic work. Their contribution highlighted the importance of preventive education, inspiring attendees to advocate for safer working environments for the next generation of domestic workers.
- Weslux Organisation: Emphasized the global nature of domestic workers’ struggles and the need to engage boys, often perpetrators, in solutions. They led a dynamic discussion on the global nature of domestic workers’ struggles, stressing that exploitation is a universal issue requiring inclusive solutions. They advocated for the welfare of boys, who are often seen as perpetrators. Weslux shared case studies of successful gender-inclusive advocacy, encouraging participants to adopt similar approaches in Mathare and beyond. Their call to broaden the conversation resonated, sparking commitments to engage male allies in future initiatives.
- Insights from the Research and Development Department, using case studies to advocate for merging research with practical advocacy.
- Interactive sessions encouraging domestic workers to leverage knowledge to reject harassment and empower their communities.

Key Outcomes & Impact
The event achieved significant outcomes:
- Empowered Through Knowledge: Participants gained a deeper understanding of their rights and systemic issues, reinforcing that knowledge enables women to stand up for themselves.
- Strengthened Solidarity: Support from Mathare Social Justice Centre campaigns and organizations like Maisha Safe House, Safer Girls Generation, and Weslux Organisation fostered collective advocacy. This also affirmed a sense of solidarity among the dhobi women in their collective campaign.
- Recognition of Forums’ Importance: The event highlighted the critical role of such gatherings in empowering women to combat exploitation and harassment.
- Collective Empowerment: The quote “If you liberate yourself, you liberate your generation” inspired domestic workers to unite for change.
- Research-Driven Advocacy: The Participatory Action Research Committee focuses on merging research with application, laying a foundation for evidence-based solutions. A call was made for community organizers to join research to shape policies by giving the needed grassroots voice.
Vision of the Network & Next Steps
The Dhobi Women Network and its working group aim to;
- Sustain advocacy for domestic workers’ rights, leveraging the knowledge shared in forums like this.
- Expand outreach to engage more domestic workers, with support from Maisha Safe House, Safer Girls Generation, and Weslux Organisation.
- Advocate for legal reforms to include domestic workers, addressing contracts, wages, and outdated laws.
- Use research from case studies to inform practical advocacy, bridging research and application.
- Organize future forums to maintain solidarity, honour fallen workers, engage the boychild in solutions, and empower women through knowledge.
Acknowledgement
We thank our partner organizations such as Maisha Safe House, Safer Girls Generation, Weslux Organisation, and the Women in Social Justice Movement, for your generous contribution and solidarity. We also thank Dr. David Mwambari from the University of Nairobi for his generous contributions and commitment towards this course.
Asante sana!
Conclusion
The Dhobi Women Solidarity and Advocacy Event on 2nd May 2025 stood as a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of domestic workers in their fight for equality and dignity. Despite the police’s refusal to permit the event on International Labour Day, the Dhobi Women Network and its allies transformed adversity into an opportunity to amplify the voices of mama fua and other domestic workers.
The theme “In Defense of Equality and Dignity” resonated throughout, underscoring that domestic work is legitimate work deserving of respect, fair wages, and legal safeguards. Moving forward, the Dhobi Women Network remains committed to building a future where domestic workers are visible, valued, and empowered, ensuring their struggles and contributions are never again sidelined.
Report prepared by:
Sellah Omuka,
Vincent Mahugu &
Joana Neumann
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