At 32, Georgina recounts the harrowing abuse she endured after being misled into working as a domestic worker in Oman, believing she would be employed as a driver in Dubai. Originating from Lilongwe, Malawi, she was duped into a situation far from her expectations, landing in Muscat only to be exploited by a family demanding excessive work hours and subjecting her to sexual violence.
The plight of domestic workers in the Gulf Arab states is stark, with nearly all of the 400 women surveyed in Oman by the charity Do Bold reported as trafficking victims, facing sexual and physical abuse. Georgina’s escape attempt was initiated through a desperate plea on Facebook, catching the attention of Malawian social media activist Pililani Mombe Nyoni in the United States, who then began a wider investigation into the issue.
Nyoni’s efforts led to the formation of a WhatsApp group connecting over 50 Malawian women in Oman, sharing their traumatic experiences and seeking assistance. The group revealed the grim reality of their circumstances, including confiscated passports and confinement.
Collaborating with Ekaterina Porras Sivolobova, founder of Do Bold, Nyoni worked towards freeing these women, navigating through the challenges posed by the “kafala” labor system that binds workers to their employers. Despite the daunting obstacles, Georgina managed to return to Malawi in June 2021, thanks to the collective efforts of Nyoni and allies in Oman.
The Malawian government, urged by advocacy and the distressing situations exposed, has since spent over $160,000 to repatriate 54 women from Oman. Yet, the tragic story of 23-year-old Aida Chiwalo, who returned home in a coffin without any investigation into her death, underscores the severity of the issue.
As the government pledges to develop regulations for safer migration, Nyoni’s WhatsApp group has evolved into a support network for the returnees, emphasizing the broader issues of poverty and unemployment driving Malawians to risky overseas employment. Georgina, still grappling with her trauma, seeks solace by Lake Malawi, yearning for a return to her former, independent self.
