Out of the Shadows; Portraits of Domestic Workers, is a collection of portraits and quotes taken in and around Kathmandu, Nepal. Domestic work is work undertaken in "˜private households, often without clear terms of employment, unregistered in any book, and excluded from the scope of labour legislation', and account for some 200,000 workers in Nepal. Less than 2% of domestic workers have a written agreement with their employer. The majority work based on verbally agreed terms, while nearly a quarter work with no agreement at all. Such work, which is not recognised nor well regulated, leaves the predominantly female workforce vulnerable to exploitation.
The 15 stories in this collection weave a familiar but striking narrative of experiences common to millions of women around the world "“ limited education opportunities, forced or arranged marriage, child labour, caste-based discrimination, violence and poverty.
Yet, as you spend time with the images and reflect on the stories, you will find that their aspirations are not dissimilar to our own "“ dreams of saving to buy a house, wanting the best for their children and being treated with respect at work.
