Category: Dhobi Women Network

The report is prepared by

Vincent Mahugu

Executive Summary.

The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Initiative, in partnership with Mathare Social Justice Centre, has been training teenage girls and mothers for one month since June 2025. This program is aimed at equipping vulnerable youth with vocational skills in both conventional and virtual reality (VR) welding and other digital skills. Delivered through one-on-one training, the initiative has engaged learners in a personalized learning environment, with students reporting positive progress and tutors noting strong commitment. Students appreciate the variety of training methods (virtual reality and hands-on), tutor rotation, and the commitment and strong administrative support from MSJC, which has so far ensured the smooth implementation of the program. However, challenges include limited workshop access, equipment transport difficulties, lack of workshop gear, low-tech savviness , inconsistent attendance, and poor time management.

Introduction.

The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Initiative, a social enterprise founded in 2014, seeks to address youth unemployment in Mathare by providing market-driven skills training, certification, and employment linkages. Operating for one month in Mathare as of June 2025, the program employs one-on-one training to deliver skills in welding, digital skills, and renewable energy, leveraging innovative tools like virtual reality (VR). This report evaluates the initiative’s impact on learners, focusing on student and tutor perspectives. Data is drawn exclusively from feedback from beneficiaries of the program, cross-verified for accuracy, to ensure a precise assessment of the program’s one-month implementation.

Methodology.

This report is based on qualitative feedback from Mathare learners and tutors, reflecting the program’s one-month duration as of June 2025. The analysis prioritizes student and tutor experiences, focusing on the one-on-one training format, and excludes external examples or data not provided. Feedback was collected through direct interactions, ensuring alignment with the learners’ emphasis on lived experiences. Limitations include the lack of quantitative data on participant numbers specific to Mathare, which restricts the scope to qualitative insights.

Impact on Learners.

Student Perspectives.

Over its one-month implementation, the Toolkit Initiative has positively impacted Mathare learners through one-on-one training in welding and digital skills. Key student feedback includes;

• Training Preferences: Learners value the personalized one-on-one training, which allows tailored instruction in VR-based and hands-on methods. Some prefer VR for its engaging approach, while others favour hands-on tasks for their practical application, reporting overall progress as “so far so good.”
• Tutor Rotation: Students appreciate the regular rotation of tutors, noting that it provides diverse perspectives and enhances their learning experience through varied instructional approaches.
• Program Appreciation: Learners express gratitude to MSJC for organizing the initiative, which has provided rare access to vocational training. They hope the program continues to benefit future cohorts.
• Challenges: Students face several barriers. The workshop’s distance from classrooms requires frequent transport of heavy equipment, reducing training time. Many learners, not being tech-savvy, struggle with VR technology but note gradual improvement. Additionally, the lack of workshop gear (e.g., protective clothing or tools) hinders safety and efficiency.

Tutor Perspectives.

Tutors provide critical insights into the program’s implementation, highlighting the effectiveness of one-on-one training while identifying areas for improvement:

• Student Commitment: Tutors commend learners for their strong commitment, noting that the one-on-one format fosters engagement and allows personalized skill development, aligning with the program’s goal of preparing youth for industry roles.
• Attendance and Time Management: Tutors report inconsistent class attendance, likely due to logistical challenges or competing responsibilities in Mathare. They also identify poor time management as a significant concern, warning that it could undermine graduates’ employability in regards to this inefficiency.  
• Program Effectiveness; Aside from attendance and time management issues, tutors state that the program is “sailing on smoothly,” with one-on-one VR and hands-on training effectively building skills. However, they likely share students’ challenges with workshop access and equipment transport, which impact training delivery.

Discussion.

The Toolkit Initiative’s one-month implementation in Mathare has shown promise in empowering youth through personalized one-on-one training. Students’ appreciation for VR and hands-on methods, tutor rotation, and MSJC’s facilitation underscores the program’s adaptability and community impact. Tutors’ recognition of student commitment highlights the potential for skill acquisition, but inconsistent attendance and poor time management pose risks to employability. Logistical challenges, including workshop access and lack of gear, further limit efficiency, while low tech-savviness requires tailored support. Comparisons with other Kenyan vocational programs suggest that low-tech training options could complement VR to enhance accessibility. Addressing these barriers will align the initiative with Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals for technical skills development.

Conclusion.

The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Initiative has made a promising start in Mathare, leveraging one-on-one training to empower learners with vocational skills over its one-month duration. Students’ enthusiasm for diverse training methods and tutor rotation, coupled with gratitude toward MSJC, highlights the program’s value. Tutors’ praise for student commitment is tempered by concerns over attendance and time management, alongside logistical and resource challenges. Targeted interventions can enhance the initiative’s impact, equipping Mathare’s youth with skills for sustainable livelihoods and contributing to Kenya’s socio-economic development.

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Training and practicals in session

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

Gallery

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Introduction

The Dhobi Women Network, in collaboration with the Mathare Social Justice Centre, organized a Human Rights Monitor Training to empower domestic workers by equipping them with essential knowledge about their rights, giving them the necessary tools to report workplace exploitation, and providing them with a trusted support network. As part of the Training, selected participants will be trained as Dhobi Women Human Rights Monitors, serving as key contact persons for domestic workers facing injustices. This specialized training addresses the widespread exploitation, violence, and discrimination that domestic workers in Eastleigh and Mathare experience daily. By fostering awareness and advocacy skills, the program cultivates a strong, united network of domestic workers who stand in solidarity, support one another, and collectively defend their peers against workplace injustices.

Understanding their rights is crucial for domestic workers to protect themselves from exploitation. Kenya’s legal framework provides robust protections for workers, anchored in the Constitution of Kenya (2010), which guarantees every individual the right to human dignity. The Constitution mandates fair labor practices, equitable wages, and safe working conditions, affirming the right of every worker to be treated with respect. However, despite these legal safeguards, domestic workers—often marginalized—continue to face severe exploitation. By equipping them with legal knowledge and practical tools, the training empowers them to challenge abuse, discrimination, and unjust labor practices effectively.

Background of the Dhobi Women Network

The Dhobi Women Network is a collective of domestic workers from Mathare who have united to address the severe challenges they face in their workplaces. Many have experienced several human rights violations, including sexual violence, physical assault, and unpaid labor—some have even lost their lives. Recognizing the urgent need for change, they came together to advocate for fair labor practices, equitable wages, and dignified working conditions.

At its core, the Dhobi Women Network serves as a platform for empowerment and advocacy, providing domestic workers with access to resources, legal support, and solidarity. By tackling issues such as unjust wages, power imbalances, and workplace exploitation, the Network aims to elevate the status of domestic work and foster a supportive community committed to workers’ rights.

Beyond advocacy, the network actively promotes economic empowerment through initiatives like table banking – a community-based savings and lending system that provides financial stability to domestic workers, many of whom lack access to formal banking services. By saving and borrowing collectively, members can strengthen their financial resilience and reduce their economic vulnerability. Additionally, the network has rebuilt community land in Eastleigh, transforming it into a community green space where members have planted trees and vegetables. This space serves as a hub for Dhobi women to connect, share experiences, and support one another. Looking ahead, they plan to establish a nursery and expand vegetable farming as an additional income source, helping them become less dependent on employers, where they often face exploitation.

(The Dhobi Women Network at the official launch of their Network to support and empower domestic workers.)

Objectives of the Training

The Dhobi Women Human Rights Monitor Training is designed to empower domestic workers by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect their rights and support their peers facing exploitation. The program aims to train selected participants as Human Rights Monitors, enabling them to identify and document cases of mistreatment, provide guidance to affected individuals, and advocate for systemic change.

A key goal of the training is to raise awareness of gender-based violence (GBV) and highlight the importance of proper documentation and reporting. Participants also gain essential knowledge of human and labor rights, empowering them to recognize and challenge abusive practices in their workplaces. Additionally, the program includes psychosocial support, providing strategies to help domestic workers cope with trauma and assist others in similar situations.

Beyond individual empowerment, the training fosters network building by encouraging collaboration and solidarity among domestic workers. By strengthening their collective voice, participants contribute to a sustainable support system that promotes fair and dignified working conditions for all domestic workers in the community.

Training Program & Activities

Held at the Mathare Social Justice Center on 13 March 2024, the day-long training engaged participants through a blend of theoretical and practical sessions. Facilitated by MSJC staff, local experts, and members of the society, the program highlighted the following; 

• Rights Education: Lectures on constitutional protections, the Employment Act (2007), and Gender Based Violence laws, highlighting rights to unjust wages and safe conditions.
• Documentation Workshops: Hands-on exercises using a standardized reporting form, practicing how to log incidents (e.g., a verbal threat at 9 AM on 10 March) and preserve evidence like text messages or witness accounts.
• Harassment Typology: Group discussions on; 
  • Verbal harassment (e.g., “You’re worthless,” shouted by an employer).
  • Physical harassment (e.g., slapping during a dispute over wages).
  • Sexual harassment (e.g., unwanted touching reported by a majority of participants).
  • Discriminatory practices (e.g., lower pay for women from certain ethnic groups).
  • Psychological harassment (e.g., threats by employers and accusations).

• Psychosocial Support: Role-playing to practice trauma-coping techniques, such as peer counseling, with guidance from a trained counselor.
• Networking Session: A closing circle where participants shared contacts and pledged mutual support, forming the Dhobi Monitors Collective.

The training’s participatory design, rooted in MSJC’s methodology, ensured that participants’ stories, like one woman’s account of unpaid overtime spanning six months, shaped the content.

(Sadyia and Sella, the Programme coordiantors of the Dhobi Women Network Introducing the Nework and opening the first Training Session.) (Wangeshi, one of the Trainers, teaching about Gender-Based Violence.)

(Vincent, lawyer at MSJC and member of the Legal Empowerment Network, introducing the Reporting form to participants.)

(Trainers of the Human Rights Monitor Training and the Program Coordinators of the Dhobi Women Network closing the session.)

Development of the Self-Help Reporting Template

A key outcome of the meeting was the co-development of a self-help reporting template, designed to empower individuals to document rights violations clearly and systematically. Created collaboratively by participants and facilitators, it includes:

1. Incident Details: Fields for date, time, location, and description (e.g., “Employer withheld KES 2,000 on 5 March 2024”).
2. Evidence Log: Space to list supporting materials (e.g., a photo of a bruise, a neighbor’s statement).
3. Legal Linkage: Instructions to submit copies to the Legal Empowerment Network (LEN), a pro bono coalition of lawyers.
4. Training Focus: Emphasis on legality (e.g., recordings permissible only with consent under Kenyan law) and consistency.
5. Providing training on proper completion of the reporting form, with an emphasis on leaving a trail of evidence such as messages, recordings (where legally permissible), witness statements, and documented patterns of harassment.

The reporting template not only facilitates the creation of robust evidence for legal redress but also enhances collaboration with the Legal Empowerment Network, which is prepared to offer guidance and assistance based on the submitted reports. Training on the proper completion of this template stressed the importance of leaving an evidentiary trail, ranging from messages to recordings and witness statements, that can be pivotal in legal proceedings. 

Key Outcomes & Impact

The training has resulted in significant outcomes. 

1. Enhanced Knowledge and Awareness: Participants gained a clearer understanding of their rights and the necessary steps to document and report workplace abuses.
2. Empowerment through Documentation: The reporting template enables domestic workers to compile robust evidence, thereby facilitating legal support and advocacy.
3. Strengthened Support Networks: The initiative has reinforced solidarity among domestic workers, promoting collective action.
4. Improved Collaboration: The linkage between domestic workers and the Legal Empowerment Network ensures that cases of exploitation receive prompt and effective legal assistance.

Vision of the Network & Next Steps

Looking ahead, the Dhobi Women Network is planning to expand its Human Rights Monitor Trainings. As a first step, seven of the 35 women who attended the initial session have been selected for a specialized training program.

This program will begin with informal meetings in the park, where our Head of Program, Sella, and Sadiya will engage with them about their work, introduce them to key aspects of human rights monitoring, and familiarize them with local police stations. Following this introduction, the network will hold weekly training sessions covering essential topics, such as a detailed guide on how to report cases effectively. The trained monitors are expected to serve as frontline advocates within their communities, actively supporting domestic workers facing exploitation. They will form a dedicated working group to address and prevent workplace injustices more effectively. Additionally, they will play a key role in refining and implementing the self-help reporting template, ensuring it remains responsive to the evolving needs of domestic workers.

As many domestic workers have reached out to the Dhobi Women Network requesting to join future sessions, the network is planning to implement six more training sessions. These sessions will educate more domestic workers on human rights and select new Human Rights Monitors from the participants, further strengthening the Monitor Network and the Dhobi Women Network. Expanding outreach efforts will also be a priority, allowing the network to reach more domestic workers, strengthen support structures, and enhance the overall impact of their advocacy.
Furthermore, to strengthen the Dhobi Women Network, members are planning to come together for the next community event on April 25th.

(Participants of the Human Rights Monitor Training following the class discussion.)

Conclusion

The Human Rights Monitor Training on 13^th March 2024 marks a pivotal step in the Dhobi Women Network’s fight for justice. By equipping 35 domestic workers with the skills to become Human Rights Defenders, it directly challenges the exploitation that has long plagued Mathare and Eastleigh. The self-help reporting template and strategic partnerships provide practical accountability tools, while the Monitors’ collective strength drives lasting change. Future Human Rights Monitor Trainings will further strengthen this network, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated Human Rights Monitor Network within the Dhobi Women Network. This work exemplifies MSJC’s ethos: empowering communities to demand dignity, equity, and workplace safety.

Report prepared by,

Vincent Makungu

and

Joana Neumann

The Dhobi Women Network, in partnership with the Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC), convened a pivotal dialogue focusing on the rights and persistent struggles of domestic workers. This event, under the theme “Domestic Work is Work,“ brought together community stakeholders, advocates, and domestic workers to address critical issues within the domestic labor sector. This event took place on October 31, 2024.

The dialogue also marked the official launch of the Dhobi Women Network, a movement dedicated to advancing the rights, dignity, and social well-being of domestic workers in Mathare, Eastleigh, and other informal settlements.

The Dhobi Women Network. 

The Dhobi Women Network is a grassroots initiative that seeks to unify domestic workers by providing a platform for solidarity, advocacy, and community-driven action. Founded by women who have lived experience of the challenges of domestic work, the Network operates as a space where domestic workers can connect, share experiences, and collectively address workplace injustices.

The Network works to:

• Educate domestic workers about their rights and responsibilities to protect them from exploitation
• Advocate for fair labor practices, equitable wages, and dignified working conditions
• Mobilize domestic workers to take collective action, including unionization and the development of support systems
• Collaborate with other organizations and campaigns to offer legal aid, training, and access to resources

By centering the lived experiences of domestic workers and partnering with stakeholders who champion social justice, the Dhobi Women Network is building a movement that aspires to transform the informal domestic labor sector.

Continuing the Fight for Justice: A Movement’s Launch

The Dhobi Women Network was introduced as a beacon of hope for domestic workers facing entrenched exploitation, unfair wages, and power imbalances. Rooted in the principles of social justice and human rights, the movement seeks to dismantle the systemic barriers that devalue domestic work and create enduring solutions for workers in the most vulnerable sectors.

The launch on October 31 symbolized an unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of domestic workers, advocating for their rights, and fostering a community of solidarity amid growing economic pressures and workplace injustices.

Unpacking the Struggles of Domestic Workers

During the launch, Balkisa, from Save a Girl Save a Generation, underscored the importance of educating women about their rights and equipping them with practical skills to combat workplace injustices. She reiterated that education and collective power is essential to ensuring domestic workers achieve dignity and fairness in their roles. Save a Girl Save a Generation is an organization that works with the Dhobi Women Network to protect women who face cases of gender-based violence, and they also have a campaign against forced female circumcision.

The Lived Realities of Domestic Workers

The dialogue featured moving testimonies from domestic workers, like Mama Osodo and Mama Wambui, who shared their experiences with unpaid wages, workplace violence, false accusations, and pervasive employer-employee power imbalances. These stories shed light on the structural injustices faced by many workers and reinforced the urgency of building collective action to transform their conditions.

The women have also adopted table banking as a practice to save the little resources they make from their work. Table banking, as a model of social entrepreneurship, has helped foster a sense of financial independence and discipline; it has also provided an accessible and informal platform to save and address urgent and everyday financial needs. 

Collaborative Support from Advocacy Groups

Organizations like HESAID and Maisha Safe Girls reaffirmed their commitment to supporting domestic workers. By providing safe spaces and resources for those facing exploitation, these groups align with the Dhobi Women Network’s mission to create an inclusive and resilient support network.

Unionization as a Tool for Rights Advocacy

The dialogue highlighted the critical role of unionization in advancing workers’ rights. Javan Owala, speaking on behalf of the Kamukunji Member of Parliament, emphasized the need for collective organizing to strengthen legal protections for domestic workers. Unionization was framed as a necessary strategy to address the persistent invisibility of domestic workers in formal labor systems.

Legal Empowerment for Domestic Workers

MSJC’s Legal Empowerment Network provided valuable insights into workers’ legal rights and the tools available to them. Key discussions on these topics included the importance of formal contracts or agreements, adherence to minimum wage standards, and creating equitable working conditions.

The Network affirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring domestic workers in informal settlements have access to legal and community-based remedies. It also noted that their campaigns must continue championing the ratification of the international labor instruments that protect domestic workers, mainly the ILO C189, which aim to protect the rights of domestic workers. 

Alternative Justice Systems (AJS): Accessible Solutions for Informal Workers

In recognizing the limitations of formal justice systems, the event explored the role of Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) as culturally relevant and accessible mechanisms for resolving workplace grievances. AJS presents an important complement to formal systems, particularly for domestic workers who face barriers to accessing traditional legal avenues.

RESOLUTIONS: Solidarity for Sustained Change

The launch of the Dhobi Women Network marks a pivotal moment in the fight for domestic workers’ rights. The dialogue and launch concluded with a renewed commitment to sustained advocacy and solidarity, calling upon community members, organizations and policymakers to recognize domestic work as essential labor deserving of dignity, protection, and equity.

By centering the voices of domestic workers and mobilizing collective action, the Network aims to dismantle systemic inequalities, and ensure that justice and human rights are accessible to all workers, particularly those in informal settlements like Eastleigh.

The struggle for justice is far from over, but with the resilience of domestic workers and the growing solidarity within movements like Dhobi Women Network, a more equitable future is within reach.

Report by: Vincent Mahugu (Legal Empowerment Network).

 

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