Eldest daughters carry the invisible weight of responsibility, caregiving, and cultural expectations. We are here to change that.
According to the International Organization for Migration, when it comes to human trafficking for sexual exploitation, “most of the Nigerian victims are eldest daughters or next eldest daughters in their families, who typically not only support themselves but also have economic responsibilities for their near relatives” (IMO, 2003).
Eldest daughters often serve as providers, unpaid caregivers, cultural mediators, and emotional labourers in their families. These roles are frequently shaped by patriarchy, race, culture, class, and being a child of immigrants, which are not often recognised as forms of gendered labour.
According to the International Organization for Migration, when it comes to human trafficking for sexual exploitation, “most of the Nigerian victims are eldest daughters or next eldest daughters in their families, who typically not only support themselves but also have economic responsibilities for their near relatives” (IMO, 2003).
Eldest daughters often serve as providers, unpaid caregivers, cultural mediators, and emotional labourers in their families. These roles are frequently shaped by patriarchy, race, culture, class, and being a child of immigrants, which are not often recognised as forms of gendered labour.
Home Girls Unite supports eldest, immigrant, and parentified daughters in their transition from merely surviving to thriving by equipping them with practical tools.
Our focus is particularly on daughters from immigrant, working-class, and racialised backgrounds. We aim to empower them to:
With community building, accessible educational resources, and peer support, we create spaces where eldest daughters can explore their identities, process trauma, and imagine a life defined on their own terms.
Home Girls Unite supports eldest, immigrant, and parentified daughters in their transition from merely surviving to thriving by equipping them with practical tools.
Our focus is particularly on daughters from immigrant, working-class, and racialised backgrounds. We aim to empower them to:
With community building, accessible educational resources, and peer support, we create spaces where eldest daughters can explore their identities, process trauma, and imagine a life defined on their own terms.
We have created a third space, both online and offline, where eldest daughters can relate, connect, and be part of a collective, reducing the loneliness that often comes with the role.
Ultimately, we want eldest daughters to harness the strengths of the role while mitigating the potential negative impacts. We believe this change is possible through intentional, long-term feminist organising that centres healing, community, and power redistribution in both the private and public sphere.
We have created a third space, both online and offline, where eldest daughters can relate, connect, and be part of a collective, reducing the loneliness that often comes with the role.
Ultimately, we want eldest daughters to harness the strengths of the role while mitigating the potential negative impacts. We believe this change is possible through intentional, long-term feminist organising that centres healing, community, and power redistribution in both the private and public sphere.
The eldest daughter refers to the first-born daughter within the household. However, there are some instances where other birth orders within the family inherit the role. For example, the role may get passed to the middle or youngest daughter due to the following:
The eldest daughter refers to the first-born daughter within the household. However, there are some instances where other birth orders within the family inherit the role. For example, the role may get passed to the middle or youngest daughter due to the following:
Eldest daughters deserve uninterrupted education, where grades do not suffer because of familial responsibilities. They deserve to make choices that are not born of desperation. They deserve autonomy, rest, and the freedom to exist without having to be perfect.
Being the eldest daughter builds resilience, independence, and leadership. Those strengths should be used to uplift daughters themselves.
To amplify the voices of eldest daughters, raise awareness of their experiences, and empower them to lead happier and healthier lives.
Recognise and centre the needs of eldest daughters in our work.
Hold ourselves accountable by delivering what we promise.
Respect the different experiences and perspectives each member brings.
Every donation helps us keep our services free, pay our team fairly, and grow the only nonprofit dedicated to eldest daughters.
