In a heart-wrenching revelation, an investigative report has shed light on the dire situation faced by numerous Kenyan single mothers working in Saudi Arabia. These women, who sought employment as domestic workers in the Kingdom, now find themselves trapped, unable to return home with their children born out of wedlock during their stay.
Denied Documentation, Barred from Leaving
According to sources close to the matter, the affected mothers have been systematically denied birth certificates for their children conceived outside of marriage. This lack of proper documentation has far-reaching consequences, as the children are considered stateless and ineligible for basic rights such as medical care and education within Saudi Arabia.
Compounding their predicament, the mothers report that their attempts to secure exit visas to leave the country with their little ones have been thwarted repeatedly. The reason cited? The stateless status of the children, which apparently disqualifies them from obtaining the necessary travel permits.
Fleeing Abuse, Facing New Challenges
Many of these women had initially fled abusive employers who confiscated their identity documents, leaving them vulnerable and trapped. Engaging in relationships with fellow migrant workers offered a glimmer of solace, but the resulting pregnancies outside of wedlock have now plunged them into a new nightmare.
“They said they would send me to jail if I didn’t bring [the necessary] documents. I was so afraid to go to jail with labour pains. I pretended like I was strolling around the hospital. Then, I just walked out of the gate and went back to my house.”
Fatima*, a Kenyan migrant domestic worker
Under Saudi Arabia’s strict Islamic laws, extramarital sex is a punishable offense. Women often bear the brunt of these charges, as pregnancies serve as irrefutable evidence in the eyes of authorities. Even survivors of rape or sex trafficking can find themselves prosecuted for violating these moral codes.
Children Robbed of Basic Rights
The repercussions for the innocent children born into these circumstances are severe. Denied birth certificates, they are stripped of access to fundamental services and opportunities. Education remains out of reach, and proper healthcare is a distant dream. The undocumented status of these young ones also means they are forbidden from traveling outside the Kingdom, effectively trapping them alongside their mothers.
“We want our kids to go to school. They’re missing a lot in their early childhood education. It’s very important and our babies are missing that opportunity.”
Fatima*, a Kenyan migrant domestic worker
Desperate Measures, Unheard Pleas
In a bold move born of desperation, a group of affected mothers staged a public protest in Riyadh’s Manfuhah neighborhood in April. They blocked traffic and chanted their desire to return home, knowing full well that such demonstrations are strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia and can result in imprisonment.
The women interviewed paint a grim picture of their daily struggles, relying on the kindness of grocery shops for leftover vegetables and unsold bread to feed their little ones. Their repeated attempts to seek assistance from the Kenyan embassy to facilitate their return home have allegedly been met with disdain and accusations of prostitution.
“The people at the Kenyan embassy say we are prostitutes. They forget that some of these babies are from cases of rape by their boss or the driver of the house you’re working in. It’s very painful.”
Christine*, a Kenyan mother of a stateless toddler
Glimmer of Hope or Empty Promises?
The Kenyan embassy claims to have collected DNA samples from the mothers and children in November 2023 and states that the results are currently being processed. However, the affected women remain skeptical, their hopes worn thin by years of empty assurances and bureaucratic hurdles.
As the world watches, the plight of these Kenyan single mothers and their stateless children serves as a poignant reminder of the intersecting vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly women, in countries with stringent moral codes and limited protections. Their heart-wrenching stories demand urgent action and a re-evaluation of the systems that have failed them so utterly.
Will the international community rally to their cause, or will their voices continue to be silenced and their suffering prolonged? The fate of these resilient women and their innocent children hangs in the balance, awaiting a resolution that is long overdue.
*Names have been changed to protect identities.
