Leslie Treve Bapina Babidamana is 40 years old and lives in Brazzaville, in the Republic of Congo, with her son. Since 2018, she has worked as a stone breaker at the Kombé quarry. Every day, with her basic tools in hand, she faces intense heat, thick dust, and the constant loud noise of stone being broken. 

This job is very hard and often goes unnoticed, but it is her main source of income. Even with pain in her arms, difficulty breathing, and irritated eyes, Leslie never gives up. 

In 2023, things began to change. Through the ACP–EU Programme, working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Mining and Geology, Leslie and other women at the Kombé quarry received practical support. They were given tricycles, wheelbarrows, pickaxes, rakes, and sun umbrellas. For the first time, their daily work became a little less exhausting. They were also invited to take part in awareness and skills-building workshops—something they had never experienced before, and a sign that their work was finally being recognized. 

Still, many challenges remain. The women’s health is fragile, and access to healthcare is limited. Leslie dreams of a future where their contribution is not just measured by how much stone they produce, but where it helps create lasting change. A future where women stone breakers are seen as real drivers of social progress.