In a world where vulnerable voices are too often silenced, Street Project Foundation, alongside our partners DEVATOP and CAPRIGHTS-Vp, has embarked on a mission to protect one of the most marginalised groups—Child Domestic Workers (CDWs). With generous support from Freedom Fund, our project has become a powerful force for raising awareness and fostering meaningful change in communities like Festac Town and Oworonshoki, Lagos.
From May to June 2024, our campaign took root in schools, religious institutions, and the media, engaging individuals from all walks of life in a collective call to action. In May, we met with parents and teachers at Festac Girls Senior Secondary School, where we shared stories and information that underscored the critical need to support and protect CDWs. Each interaction was a reminder of the shared responsibility we hold to stand up for the rights of these young individuals.
On Children’s Day, our ARTvocacy Movement inspired a powerful dance video filmed in Oworonshoki, a creative expression that called the community to witness and acknowledge the struggles of CDWs. The media parley and documentary preview that followed on May 20, 2024, further amplified this message, as we collaborated with media outlets to bring these hidden stories to light.
Our campaign crescendoed on World Day Against Child Labour, when we joined CAPRIGHTS for a community walk, boldly stepping forward to demand protections for CDWs and spark necessary conversations. Finally, on June 12, 2024, we premiered our documentary, “Omo-Odo: The Untold Story of House Boys and House Girls”, an unflinching look at the daily realities faced by CDWs. Since its release, over 1,000 people have watched the documentary, each viewer adding their voice to a growing chorus calling for change.
As we continue this journey, we’re piloting new ways to make reporting abuse safe and accessible through the use of anonymous boxes placed in schools, churches, and mosques. Our youth champions, or “peer allies,” have already received valuable reports that underscore the importance of this work. This is just the beginning. We remain dedicated to creating a future where no child domestic worker is left unheard or unprotected.