Calls to legalize, professionalize domestic work

KAMPALA - Child rights stakeholders have agreed that domestic work needs to be legalized and professionalized.

This follows reports of violation of children's rights despite the legal framework available to prosecute perpetrators.

Martin Kiiza, the general secretary of National Council for Children (NCC) called on child rights activists to support the process of legalizing and professionalizing domestic work, saying it will help reduce cases of child violation.

He told a stakeholders meeting in Kampala of the need to "consolidate our effort" in the cause.

According to him, it will "help address the gaps in the process of addressing challenges that domestic workers grapple with".

The dialogue was held under the theme ‘Legalization and professionalization of domestic work: advancing real change in East Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo.'

"We ought to encourage domestic workers to take up their responsibilities in a more professional way," suggested Kiiza.

Joseph Matheka, National Coordinator of Kenya's domestic workers, presents the Kenyan status to the meeting. (Credit: Oyet Okwera)

Michael Alule, the principal probation welfare officer at the ministry of gender, labour and social development, said there is need to engage all stakeholders to professionalize domestic work.

"As government, we will continue providing the necessary legal framework to ensure that justice prevails while providing lasting solutions," he said.

Recently, President Yoweri Museveni assented to the Children Act Amendment, with one of its objectives being to deal with all forms of child exploitation.

The European Union has been supporting Ugandan labour and child rights activists to address challenges through offering financial support.

It has injected about sh4bn in five countries for such a project involving Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo.

The implementing partners of the project include IDAY International as the grant holder and child and labour advocacy organizations like Uganda Children's Centre (UCC), ANPPCAN and NCC.