Child Domestic Labour in Lusaka: A Gender Perspective: The Case Study of Kamwala, Kabwata, Libala, Chilenje, Woodlands Extension, Nyumba-Yanga

Oyaide, Omolara Dakore (2000) Child Domestic Labour in Lusaka: A Gender Perspective: The Case Study of Kamwala, Kabwata, Libala, Chilenje, Woodlands Extension, Nyumba-Yanga. Masters thesis, University of Zambia.

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Abstract

This study examines the reasons why children are engaged in domestic labour in Lusaka, and the conditions under which they work. It also focused on the gender differentials in the work. The findings were discussed in the light of the Convention on the Rights of Children (1990) which Zambia ratified in 1991. The socio-economic background of the children was examined to indicate the reasons why they are working. Since there is a high correlation between absence from school and working, the reasons why they are out of school was also investigated. The conditions of work included the types of work done by the children, working hours, remuneration, opportunities for play, recreation, family life, schooling or skill training activities.The study found that poverty is the major cause of domestic child labour in Lusaka and that other reasons tend to either initiate or compound it.Additional findings indicate that the majority of domestic child workers are girls and that most of them live with their employers. The conditions of work include working from sunrise to sunset without specific job descriptions. The duties that are assigned to them seem to be too much for their age. In addition, they miss out on schooling activities and so miss out preparation for a better future. Though most of them are paid, many are not paid regularly and some are denied their wages. They lack the opportunity for social and family life and in addition, many are exposed to verbal abuses while some of them confess to having been sexually abused. The conditions of work reveal that wide gender differentiation exist in the causes and conditions of work. The findings reveal that most of the conditions of work are deplorable and violate the rights of the children with relation to the CRC. The deep sense of loss expressed by the children at not being in school is a paradox to their willingness to help their parents by working. This dilemma suggests that though the children are willing to work to help their families, the lack of opportunity for schooling is very painful to them. Lack of schooling is a work hazard because it robs vulnerable children of the opportunity for upward mobility, and perpetuates poverty in the society. Lack of schooling and exposure to sexual abuse are hazards this study considers intolerable.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Additional Information:	This study was funded by UNICEF Zambia
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Geoffrey Obatsa
Date Deposited:	01 Feb 2019 09:26
Last Modified:	01 Feb 2019 09:26
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/8976

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