Campaign
I grew up working
¿Por qué una campaña sobre trabajo infantil en el hogar?
Child labour in the domestic work sector is one of the most invisible forms of child labour. Many girls grow up performing cleaning, cooking or caregiving tasks in the homes of others, under the notion that they are simply "helping" or receiving something in return. This reality is often normalized and hidden, affecting their education, development and future.
Two structural drivers are at the root of this issue:
- The unequal distribution of care responsibilities between women and men, which from an early age fall disproportionately on girls and adolescent girls.
- Conditions of vulnerability and lack of protection that push children into taking on roles and responsibilities that are not appropriate for their age, instead of being in school or enjoying their childhood.
Child labour in domestic work perpetuates inequalities and reinforces a cycle that is hard to break. Many women engaged in domestic work today began working as children, without access to rights or opportunities to choose a different path.
Even if we do not see it, there are girls growing up working in the households of others, without rights and with limited opportunities. Recognizing this is the first step toward changing it.
Campaign objective
To bring visibility to child labour in the care and domestic work sector as a key issue in the world of work, by sharing real-life stories and thought-provoking messages that highlight its impact on the lives of girls and promote action for its elimination.
Life stories
Juana del Carmen Brítez's Life Story (Argentina)
"I grew up taking care of others. Who took care of me?"
Marcolina Infante's life story (Peru)
"I was taken from my mother’s arms to work in a stranger’s house"
Share your story and make your voice heard
Highlight the reality of child labor in care. Your story gives a voice to those who lived it and fuels the fight for a future without exploitation. Share it with #IGrewUpWorking and tag us — your voice can inspire and create change!
Dissemination platforms
- Instagram: @oit.americas
- X (formerly Twitter): @OITAmericas and @SinTrabInfantil
- Facebook: International Labour Organization and Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbeam Free of Child Labour
Joining efforts to end child labour
This campaign is led by the International Labour Organization through the Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour. It is supported by the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), with contributions from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Andalusian Agency for International Development Cooperation (AACID), and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC).