Empowering Voices: Unraveling the Journey of African Migrant Domestic Workers to the Arab World

This is an interdisciplinary research project that delves into the experiences of African female domestic workers migrating to Jordan and Lebanon. This study employs a multi-dimensional approach, combining surveys, interviews, and extensive fieldwork in both origin Kenya, Ethiopia and destination countries Jordan, Lebanon, complemented by workshop consultations and robust team communication. This comprehensive methodology is designed to uncover the complex challenges faced by these workers.  

The project is distinguished by its innovative and culturally sensitive collaboration among researchers from Africa and the Arab world, emphasizing ethical practices to ensure the dignity and privacy of participants. A key feature is the in-depth mapping of services related to deployment, legal aspects, and protection, offering crucial visual insights into the migration trajectory.  

A unique aspect of the research is the use of storytelling to capture the voices of migrant workers authentically. This approach humanizes the data and ensures their stories are ethically and sensitively documented. Theoretical frameworks integrating feminist, neocolonial and intersectional perspectives guide the analysis, focusing on these women human and labor rights and challenging entrenched power structures. Anticipated outcomes include a progress report on the mapping exercise and stakeholder interviews, a transnational collaboration framework, a comprehensive position paper accompanied by a short film and an impact report detailing the project broader implications. 

This research promises to offer significant insights into the lives of African migrant domestic workers in the Arab region, contributing to a deeper understanding of their challenges and paving the way for informed interventions and policy recommendations.