As the world marks Labour Day, we pause to reflect on the value of work; not just the kind that shows up on spreadsheets or gets celebrated in boardrooms, but also the invisible, underpaid, and undervalued labour that forms the backbone of our society.
In Kenya and across the continent, women continue to carry the weight of this invisible work. From caregiving and emotional labour to domestic chores and community care, much of what keeps households and communities running is done by women, and is often unpaid or underpaid. This Labour Day, Zeda honours the African women whose work is rarely acknowledged, yet always essential.
Who Gets to Rest?
Rest is a right, but capitalism has turned it into a luxury. In a country where the cost of living keeps rising, and well paying jobs are hard to come by, more and more Kenyans, especially young women, are turning to the gig economy, informal work, or side hustles just to stay afloat. Yet even with multiple jobs, many still can’t afford to take a day off.
We must ask: Who gets to rest on Labour Day? Who is expected to keep cooking, cleaning and caregiving while others celebrate?
Redefining Labour, Reclaiming Power
At Zeda, we believe in reimagining what work means. To truly honour Labour Day, we must expand our definition of work and advocate for systems that value care, creativity, and community-building as much as they do profit and productivity.
What Would a Just Future Look Like?
The just future we imagine is a future where: Domestic workers are paid fair wages and treated with dignity, freelancers and gig workers have access to labour protections, maternity and mental health leave are standard not optional, young people don’t have to burn out to survive, women’s work in all its forms is seen, respected, and paid for.
This Labour Day, let’s celebrate the resilience of African women, from farmers and factory workers to creators and caregivers. Let’s also demand better. Better policies, better pay, better protection, and better possibilities for all.
