The plight of women workers in the informal settlements of Nairobi

Ruth Mumbi discusses her work with the Kenyan grassroots organisation Wamama wa Dhobi, a group of over 1,000 women living in and around the informal settlements of Mathare and Kiamaiko in Nairobi, and whose main source of livelihood is domestic work for a daily wage.

Coming together in early 2010, Wamama wa Dhobi sought to challenge the violations women domestic workers face including pay below the minimum wage, refusal to pay by some employers, verbal and physical abuse, sexual harassment and sexual violence.

In 2011, with the support of Fahamu, an organization that works in strengthening social movements, Wamama wa Dhobi created the Tutambulike campaign to articulate the economic and social demands of women informal workers, create mutual support and protection, and interface with mainstream unions, state institutions and other forums of redress.

During her presentation Ruth will show a documentary on Wamama wa Dhobi's work.

The talk will be followed by a Q & A session.