Play, pay and protection: Securing rights for child domestic workers

For many, domestic work might evoke preconceived ideas of and attitudes towards household chores, undignified labor or women working as part of their familial duty. The truth is that domestic work is a necessity, one often met by employing workers from outside the home. Across the world, millions of children fulfill this role in order to earn a wage to support their family or in exchange for in-kind support, like education, housing and meals.

However, out of the public eye and within the confines of private homes, many children are subjected to exploitation and often denied their rights to education, play, rest, proper compensation and protection. Child domestic work is not inherently exploitative, but too often children experience a curtailing of these basic rights. For too long, the issue of exploitative child domestic work has been hidden and disregarded, considered a domestic decision or a matter of social and cultural norms.

During September’s United Nations General Assembly in New York City, the Freedom Fund invites you to an expert panel of activists, practitioners, partners, researchers and funders to share emerging research on exploitative child domestic work and discuss effective solutions.

We’re excited to hear insights from:

• Karen Ansara, Founder and Chair of Network of Engaged International Donors (NEID)
• Beatrice Ogutu, Executive Director of Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS-SP)
• Elizabeth Anderson, Senior Research and Evaluation Manager, the Freedom Fund

Additional speakers to be announced. Light refreshments will be served.