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Cycle of pain: How housemaids' frustrations spill over to children
What you need to know:
- Addressing the root causes of abuse, providing adequate support for housemaids, and enforcing labour laws are essential steps towards breaking this destructive cycle
Dar es Salaam. A disturbing trend is emerging among housemaids in Dar es Salaam, where mistreatment by their employers is leading some to retaliate by mistreating their employers’ children.
This cycle of abuse not only highlights the dire working conditions faced by housemaids but also raises serious concerns about child welfare.
Speaking with The Citizen reporter, Ms Leticia, a 22-year-old housemaid from Kinondoni, shared her ordeal.
“The physical and verbal abuse I endure from my employer is unbearable. I am often blamed for things I didn’t do, and sometimes I go without food as punishment. This frustration sometimes makes me harsh towards the children I look after, even though I know it’s wrong,” she revealed.
Similarly, Ms Aisha, a 25-year-old housemaid from Temeke, expressed her distress. “My employer yells at me for every little mistake and even hits me. It’s difficult to remain kind and patient with the children after being treated so poorly. I find myself taking out my anger on them, which I deeply regret.”
Ms Kuruthum, 33, another housemaid from Kimara, revealed the emotional toll of such treatment.
“The constant mistreatment has left me emotionally drained. I feel powerless and frustrated. Sometimes, I unknowingly take out my frustration on the children by being overly strict or even yelling at them, sometimes, I even beat them,” she said.
Commenting on the matter, the owner of The Schoolhouse in Dar es Salaam, who is also a housemaids’ trainer in the city, Ms Rachel Carlin said that there is a need to put more emphasis on proper training and emotional support to reduce such acts in the society.
“Housemaids need to be equipped with not only practical skills but also emotional resilience. They often face harsh working conditions, and without proper support, they may unknowingly perpetuate the cycle of abuse,” she said.
She added: “We need to train housemaids on conflict resolution and stress management to help housemaids cope better with the challenges they face. We should also help them understand the importance of maintaining a professional demeanour, regardless of their grievances.”
On top of that, Ms Demetila Faustine, Wote Sawa Shelter and Empowerment Coordinator from Wote Sawa Tanzania, who are the founder of The Tanzania Domestic Workers Network (TDWN), highlighted the need for stronger advocacy and protection for housemaids, as this would help reduce both the mistreatment of the housemaids themselves and the abuse of children in the households.
“Housemaids are often vulnerable and lack the means to defend themselves against abuse. We are advocating for better legal protection and working conditions to ensure they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” she said.
She continued: “We encourage employers to treat their housemaids fairly and humanely. It’s important to remember that these workers are human beings with feelings and rights. Abuse not only harms the housemaids but can also negatively impact the children they care for.”
However, the minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima said the government is committed to ensuring the rights and welfare of all workers, including housemaids.
“Employers must understand that mistreating housemaids can have severe repercussions for their own families. It is crucial to create a harmonious and respectful working environment for the well-being of both the workers and the children they care for,” she said.
