“Treated like Dirt”: Experiences of Women Domestic Workers during COVID-19 in Subhashnagar, Mumbai

Abstract

This paper examines the lived realities of women domestic workers during COVID-19 in Subhashangar, a settlement in Mumbai. A qualitative study was conducted with twelve women domestic workers selected through purposive sampling. The themes that emerged from the data included experiences of unpreparedness, helplessness, discrimination, and emotional distancing. The study findings suggest an urgent need for State support and National-level policies for women domestic workers to face  future disasters.

Keywords: COVID-19, women domestic workers, livelihood, disaster

DOI: 10.32444/IJSW.2024.85.1.89-104