Domestic workers who fled abusive employers say their children are not eligible for birth certificates, medical care or education – yet cannot leave

A Guardian investigation has found women formerly employed as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia who appear to be “trapped” in the country after being denied birth certificates for their children or visas in order to leave and return home.

The Guardian has spoken to five Kenyan women who say they have been unable to register the birth of their children as they were born outside marriage. The women all fled abusive employers who then kept their identity documents.