Activity proceedings in Nairobi.

To enhance the competencies of paid care workers and their employers in responding to the rights and needs of the care workers, Youth Alive! Kenya brought together care workers and their employers for in-depth sessions to understand the dynamics of both parties through our Time To Care project supported by Oxfam in Kenya, and in partnership with Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA). Evidenced by Oxfam’s survey in Kenya, only 26% of domestic workers had attended any training after formal education, and only 5% had training related to domestic work, mostly on-the-job training, these sessions strengthened their individual and collective power to negotiate for decent work, including fair wages and safe work environments.

Presentations on the roles of employers after group discussions

A critical component for the workers, skills development will in turn contribute to changing public perceptions of domestic work as a skilled occupation. Conducted in Mombasa, Nakuru, Nairobi, and Kiambu counties, these platforms led to the development of a Community of Practice (CoP) in these communities to respond to the rights and needs of paid care workers.

The employers presenting their action plan in Nairobi.

A follow-up to these convenings sought to obtain feedback on the identified concerns of care workers and feasible solutions. The discussions consequently led to the development of an action plan for follow-up on the agreed aspects.

A participant sharing on the challenges domestic workers face in Nakuru.

Over the same time, we sought to enable ease of access to services, information, and support by both the care workers and the employers in any of the areas identified through brokering linkages between them and various relevant actors. This includes the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Gender, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), Kituo Cha Sheria, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labor, the Federation of Women Employers in Kenya(FIDA). This platform once again cultivated meaningful discussions, information on legal processes, and helpful contact numbers and persons for onward follow-up.

A representative from the Department of Gender Nakuru County presenting on gender rights in care work.