Transforming Visions into Action for Rural Domestic Workers in Zimbabwe
More than 400 global innovators pitched their ideas. Mendy Lerato Lusaba, the founder of the Domestic Workers Association of Zimbabwe, was selected by the ILO Skills Challenge Innovation Call to put her ideas into action.
What we did:
Her idea was to create a space for rural domestic workers to formalize their skills through an online training centre. However, during the pandemic, in-person meetings were impossible. So, we launched our first Innovation Bootcamp to bring her vision to life.
Over the course of one week, domestic work experts and local project members connected through video calls, digital mind maps, and virtual breakout rooms. Together, they collaboratively expanded upon ideas, shared best practices, and created actionable steps forward.
For example, colleagues shared insights on how to deepen our understanding of human behavior, how to address accessibility and inclusion, and the role of networks and partnerships to achieve decent work outcomes.
We used a human-centred approach to solve a complex problem. Our Innovation Bootcamp inspired positive and innovative ideas for the future. The group’s collective dedication to skills development and capacity building empowers domestic workers to gain the necessary knowledge and supports the recognition of their labour rights.