"My Name is Rose Ann" By Rose Ann

We are filled with pride and admiration as we congratulate Rose Ann Cotitob, a brave and resilient member of The Voice of Domestic Workers in the UK, for winning second prize in the Voices for Change Art Contest. This contest was held in conjunction with the International Domestic Workers Federation’s (IDWF) 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, shining a spotlight on the struggles and triumphs of domestic workers worldwide.

Rose Ann’s entry, “My Name is Rose Ann,” is far more than a video, it is a testament to the courage, resilience, and indomitable spirit of migrant domestic workers. Her story begins with a familiar and heartbreaking reality. Leaving home was not a choice, but a necessity. Like so many, Rose Ann left the Philippines hoping to build a better life for herself and her loved ones. But what awaited her abroad was not the security she had dreamed of, but abuse, exploitation, and a painful invisibility that countless domestic workers endure, often in silence.

“I left home out of necessity, faced abuse and invisibility as a domestic worker, yet found my voice through a domestic worker organisation in London,” Rose Ann shares. Through her poignant and honest storytelling, Rose Ann opens a window into the daily reality of domestic workers. The fear of speaking up, the exhaustion of long hours, the isolation of living far from family, and the deep pain of being treated as invisible, even as she worked tirelessly to support others. Yet, amid these struggles, her story is also a story of hope, courage, and transformation.

The turning point in Rose Ann’s journey came with connection and solidarity. Through the support of fellow domestic workers and the empowerment offered by organisations in London, she discovered that she was not alone. Through collective strength, sisterhood, and mutual care, Rose Ann moved from a place of pain to a place of power, from silence to a voice that could not be ignored.

Her story perfectly embodies our campaign’s message “Voices for Change. Celebrating Domestic Workers’ Power to Transform Oppression into Dignity.”

Rose Ann’s journey is a reminder that domestic workers, when united and empowered, rise together for justice and dignity. Their voices, once suppressed, become a force for change. Her story is a powerful call to action, a message that resonates far beyond her own experience. The fight against exploitation and violence is not just an individual struggle, it is a collective one.

Today, as we celebrate her achievement, we honor all domestic workers whose courage, resilience, and dedication often go unseen. Rose Ann’s story is not only an inspiration; it is a beacon of hope, showing that even in the darkest moments, the human spirit can find light, strength, and the courage to demand dignity.

Her journey is not just her own, it belongs to all domestic workers worldwide, a testament to the unstoppable power of organised, empowered communities who refuse to be silenced.

To see the full list of winners and celebrate their incredible work, please visit idwfed.org 

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