Exploitation or Empowerment? Adolescent Female Domestic Workers in Uganda

Namuggala, Victoria Flavia

doi:10.18357/ijcyfs.64201514288

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(13 reference statements)

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“…For many participants, migration was the only way to escape domestic and conflict-related violence and guarantee a livelihood. The interplay between social crisis and intersectional vulnerabilities associated with gender, age and class, and coupled with meagre social support, is known to increase adolescents’ vulnerability to further violence and exploitation during migration [ 35 ]. Interventions aiming to promote safer migration through awareness raising and empowerment training are unlikely to succeed in these contexts marked by deep power asymmetries between migrants and the agents of their migration (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paper: violence, abuse and exploitation among trafficked women and girls: a mixed-methods study in Nigeria and Uganda

et al. 2022

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Background Africa is the global region where modern-slavery is most prevalent, especially among women and girls. Despite the severe health consequences of human trafficking, evidence on the risks and experiences of trafficked adolescents and young women is scarce for the region. This paper addresses this gap by exploring the intersections between violence, migration and exploitation among girls and young women identified as trafficking survivors in Nigeria and Uganda. Methods We conducted secondary analysis of the largest routine dataset on human trafficking survivors. We used descriptive statistics to report the experiences of female survivors younger than 25 years-old from Nigeria and Uganda. We also conducted 16 semi-structured interviews with adolescents identified as trafficked in both countries. We used thematic analysis to explore participants’ perceptions and experiences before, during and after the trafficking situation. Results Young female survivors of human trafficking in Nigeria and Uganda are exposed to a range of experiences of violence before migration, during transit and at destination. The qualitative data revealed that children and adolescents migrated to escape family poverty, violence and neglect. They had very low levels of education and most had their studies interrupted before migrating. Family members and close social contacts were the most common intermediaries for their migration. During transit, sexual violence and hunger were common, especially among Nigerians. Participants in both the quantitative and qualitative studies reported high levels of violence, deception, coercion, withheld wages and poor working conditions at destination. The adolescents interviewed in the qualitative study reported severe mental suffering, including suicide attempts. Only one reported the prosecution of perpetrators. Conclusions Our findings suggest that interventions to prevent or mitigate the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences can contribute to preventing the trafficking of adolescents in Nigeria and Uganda. These interventions include social protection mechanisms, universal access to education, social service referrals and education of parents and carers. Importantly, effective prevention also needs to address the systemic conditions that makes trafficking of female adolescents invisible, profitable and inconsequential for perpetrators.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paper: violence, abuse and exploitation among trafficked women and girls: a mixed-methods study in Nigeria and Uganda

et al. 2022

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“…In her study, D'Souza (2010) noted that physical aggression, such as slaps, hair pulling or cutting, severe beatings, or scalding with irons or hot water, is a frequent response of irate employers whenever the CDW follows instructions too slowly or inadequately, forgets tasks, or wrecks property in the home. Similar to this, Namuggala (2015) noted in her research in Uganda that because CDWs are socialized and trained to keep family affairs private, it is difficult for them to speak up on concerns of exploitation and abuse. As a result, CDWs frequently refer to their employers in the Tanzanian setting as moms, dads, aunts, sisters, uncles, and brothers, which fosters a feeling of familial solidarity.…”

Section: Experience Of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (Csea) Amo...mentioning

confidence: 52%

Exploration of the Child Domestic Workers’ Lived Experiences in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Shagembe,

Ndaluka

2023

Tanzania Journal of Sociology

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This qualitative study, based on a phenomenological design, explored the lived experiences of child domestic workers aged 15 to 18 years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Children in this age group are above the national and international legal minimum age for admission into light work. The findings of our study indicated that although domestic work is perceived by the child domestic workers as a method for impoverished children between the ages of 15 and 18 to earn money, get experience, and learn new life skills, it also entails loneliness, challenges in assimilating into an unfamiliar social context, and child sexual exploitation and abuse. Also, a significant number of CDWs originate from low-income, rural households, with financial poverty, children’s idleness after completion of primary school, and a desire for income serving as important antecedents for their entry into domestic work. The process of social construction of the concepts "a child" and "childhood" includes the idea of typification. Hence, in the Tanzanian socio-cultural atmosphere, domestic work for underprivileged youngsters may be a better alternative for survival than opting for other options like commercial sex work, remaining idle in financially precarious homes, working and living on the streets, and "panya road" (children's criminal gangs). In addition to addressing poverty, ensuring light (domestic work) for children under 18 years, and acknowledging that childhood and its roles differ depending on the sociocultural atmosphere, researchers and policymakers should pay attention to these children's best interests, socio-cultural realities, and their perspectives and worries regarding this phenomenon in a quest to developing research-driven interventions and policies.

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“…Existing studies demonstrate domestic workers' vulnerability to exploitation, including physical, psychological, and sexual abuse (Namuggala, 2015). Uganda's National Employment Policy recognizes that domestic workers are among the most vulnerable and poorly protected, because of a lack of visibility, data, and legal frameworks (MoGLSD, 2011).…”

Section: Situating Domestic Work Sexual Harassment and Social Norms I...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Social and gender norms informing, voicing, and reporting against sexual harassment among domestic workers in Kampala's informal economy

Namuggala

Oosterom

2023

Development Policy Review

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Motivation: Urbanization and the increasing number of doubleincome households has led to a rise in demand for domestic workers in many African countries. With a population of over 75% people below 30 years of age, young people's unemployment is a major challenge for Uganda. Approximately 90% of young people work in the informal economy. Domestic workers' informal employment is unregulated and precarious. Purpose: The article examines the role of social and gender norms in voicing and formal reporting of sexual harassment. It demonstrates the intersecting risk factors that create exposure to sexual harassment, challenges relating to voicing, as well as how restrictive norms are reproduced by other actors. Methods and approach:The study adopted a qualitative research approach; desk review, qualitative, and visual methods. Primary data collection included safety audits and body mappings with groups of live-in domestic workers and firm workers, and in-depth individual interviews with domestic workers. Safety audits discussed forms of harassment and response mechanisms while the body mappings focused on language. Findings: Isolated working conditions increase the risk of experiencing sexual harassment and limit avenues for reporting. Social and gender norms undermine domestic workers' ability to report it formally. The culture of silence and notions of victim blaming, stigmatization, and lack of a language that raises matters of sexual harassment all hinder women's voice towards self-care and justice. Social and gender norms contribute to the persistence of sexual harassment through its normalization.Policy implications: Domestic work should legally be recognized as work and labour laws need to extend to domestic workers. Workplace sexual harassment policy needs to extend to all workspaces, regardless of the number of employees. Domestic workers need better access to information, co-workers, and associations, for instance through information technology. Advocacy for the rights of domestic workers and network building are recommended.

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Exploitation or Empowerment? Adolescent Female Domestic Workers in Uganda

Cited by 11 publications

References 20 publications

Paper: violence, abuse and exploitation among trafficked women and girls: a mixed-methods study in Nigeria and Uganda

Paper: violence, abuse and exploitation among trafficked women and girls: a mixed-methods study in Nigeria and Uganda

Exploration of the Child Domestic Workers’ Lived Experiences in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Social and gender norms informing, voicing, and reporting against sexual harassment among domestic workers in Kampala's informal economy

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