“You are not alone”: Community Building and Empowerment Among Tanzanian Overseas Domestic Workers Through WhatsApp

• In Event: Understanding Victimization Across Social, Political, and Structural Contexts

Abstract

This study examines the role of WhatsApp as an information communication technology tool in supporting Tanzanian women domestic workers employed in the Middle East, often under exploitative or abusive conditions. Using the framework of Community Informatics, we analyze WhatsApp transcripts from two group chats to explore the types of information shared and the ways these digital spaces provide safety and support. Key themes include experiences of abuse and discrimination, recruitment and contract issues, working and living conditions, cultural adaptation, and peer advice. Our findings suggest that WhatsApp functions as a virtual lifeline where workers exchange crucial information, seek emotional support, and navigate challenges collectively. We conclude that integrating WhatsApp or similar platforms into pre-departure training and awareness programs could strengthen community building and protection efforts for migrant domestic workers.

Author

• Lauren N Moton, John Jay College, CUNY