With projects like La Casa de Panchita, a mobile van, and art workshops, this NGO continues to transform lives, demand decent conditions, and fight against the invisibility of essential labor

Sofía Mauricio was only seven years old when she started working as a nanny in Cajamarca, northern Peru. At such a young age, she took on major responsibilities: carrying babies, cleaning, doing laundry. The domestic work forced upon Sofía during her childhood shaped her path, but also became her inspiration. Today, she leads an organization that fights to eradicate child labor and help domestic workers demand the respect and rights that have historically been denied to them.

Sofía is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Asociación Grupo de Trabajo Redes (AGTR), a Peruvian non-governmental organization (NGO) with 36 years of experience defending domestic workers’ rights and preventing child domestic labor. Its work focuses on bringing visibility, dignity, and professionalism to care and domestic work roles that have long been invisible.

AGTR develops a range of projects to engage more women, especially those who need information to receive fair pay, benefits, and work in conditions where they are not threatened under any circumstances.

As a former domestic worker, Sofía knows firsthand the risks that thousands of women face every day. “I’ve experienced discrimination and violence. Several years ago, when I was working in a house, the employer’s son tried to assault me. It was an experience that deeply marked me,” she says, still visibly shaken.

Sofía recalls that last year, in the Peruvian region of Piura, a young domestic worker tried to jump from the third floor to avoid being raped by her employer’s son. Desperation was her only way out.

In January 2025, a domestic worker was found dead in the Lima district of Breña. Her case made a brief appearance in the media, but there was no investigation or follow-up. Just another forgotten death.

Data from the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) and the National Household Survey (ENAHO) reveal that 16% of domestic workers have been victims of psychological violence and 10% of physical violence. In addition, the ANITA survey, conducted between October 2023 and March 2024, found that 36% of these workers showed symptoms of depression.

Not recognized as work

Many of these domestic workers also live in the homes where they work, exposing them to isolation and confinement. “They depend on their employers not only financially, but also for shelter. Fear, shame, and lack of legal or psychological support keep them silent,” explains Sofía.

Informality remains the norm. Although Peru ratified ILO Convention 189, which establishes labor rights for domestic workers, 95% of them still do not have contracts, according to Peru’s Ministry of Labor, and only 5% have social security paid by their employers. Many do not receive vacation time or rest days.

In Peru, Law No. 31047 and its regulation, which came into force in October 2020, aim to formalize and improve labor conditions for this sector by providing legal and social protection. This law stipulates that domestic workers must earn no less than the minimum wage, may work a maximum of 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week, and must receive at least 24 consecutive hours of rest each week.

Despite the legal framework, this labor is still not always recognized as actual work, says Rosario Ballena, manager of the employment agency La Casa de Panchita. “It’s a fully feminized and deeply undervalued job. It’s not acknowledged for what it is: work. And that invisibility has serious consequences. If there are no dignified conditions for adult women, there will always be a risk of hiring minors,” she says.

AGTR receives cases of workers who have been fired without pay, deceived with false promises, or exploited for years. “One of them worked for a decade for a former mayor, with no contract or benefits whatsoever. We had to push hard for the National Superintendency of Labor Inspection (Sunafil) to intervene. Sometimes we don’t have enough resources, but we try to support them however we can,” Ballena explains.

La Casa de Panchita and other transformative initiatives

One of AGTR’s most well-known projects is La Casa de Panchita—it could be said to be the heart of the association. Although they currently lack a stable physical space due to budget constraints, through this initiative domestic workers receive training, legal support, counseling, and emotional assistance. It also serves as the starting point for many community initiatives.

La Casa de Panchita trains domestic workers who want to improve their job opportunities and can attend a series of workshops. They learn about labor rights, home safety, cooking, first aid, and more. Completing this training is a requirement for being included in their job placement database.

The project also includes responsible job placement. AGTR acts as a bridge between trained domestic workers and responsible employers. They evaluate candidates, verify references, and follow up to ensure proper working conditions.

Another AGTR initiative is the “Mobile Van,” a team of volunteers that regularly visits markets, parks, and high-traffic areas to provide information, identify new cases, and raise awareness about labor rights. This kind of direct outreach is essential for reaching those who still don’t know their rights.

Despite the challenges of maintaining a vehicle—which requires fuel, maintenance, and a driver—the organization continues to hit the streets every month to provide information to domestic workers and the general public about Law 31047, which regulates labor rights for this sector.

AGTR also runs an innovative project: the Theater Improvisation and Expressive Arts Workshop (TITA), which combines art, play, and reflection to empower domestic workers and teenage girls who have experienced or are currently involved in domestic work.

During the workshop, women participate in performance and acting activities that help them explore emotions, share their stories, and rebuild their self-esteem in a safe space. Tools such as drawing, music, and writing are used to help them heal past traumas, talk about violence they’ve endured, and develop communication skills.

Do you support AGTR’s work?

Through the Facebook page No Somos Invisibles (“We Are Not Invisible”), Sofía Mauricio hosts a live program of the same name every Monday at 9:30 P.M., where she discusses labor rights, the contributions of domestic workers to society, and worker safety.

The association has many future goals, such as opening a specialization school for care work, restarting its cooking school, and creating a library—but they need support to continue their work. They are currently seeking:

• Volunteers for activities with the mobile van
  
• Donations of clothing, food, hygiene and cleaning products
  
• Electronic equipment (laptops, tablets, printers)
  
• Educational scholarships for domestic workers who are studying
  
• Funds to rent a new space to grow and reach their goals
  

If you’d like to learn more about them, visit their página web, Instagram, Facebook.