Mervat Abdel Qader

Sudan — In the Sudanese countryside, where life offers women little in terms of a decent livelihood, the women of Kassala in eastern Sudan weave their daily lives with patience and perseverance. On Mount Tutil, many of them work in the exhausting profession of stone crushing—an occupation that disregards their fragile physiques but imposes itself as the only means to secure a living for their families.

At dawn, the women set out carrying their primitive tools and climb the mountain where the rocks await to be shattered. Under the blazing sun, amid swirling dust, and under the threat of sudden rain, they work relentlessly without any real protection. Each blow of the hammer carries the risk of injury, and every step could expose them to scorpion or snake bites.

But nature’s dangers are not the only ones they face; these women also endure harassment, theft, and a complete lack of healthcare—with no governmental or institutional support. Yet, they continue their labor in silence, driven by love for their children, a desire to educate them, and a deep faith that dignity is not granted—it is earned, even from the stones themselves.

The Mountain Women... Daily Toil for Dignity

At the foot of a mountain locally known as “Jabal Masareef” (Mount of Expenses), more than fifty women sit, each holding a simple tool to hammer rocks into smaller stones. The crushed stones are packed into sacks, ready for sale to construction stores. The name “Mount of Expenses” is no coincidence—the income from this backbreaking labor barely covers the daily expenses, just enough to keep their families alive.

Amid this scene, our agency met Aisha, one of the women working in stone crushing. She sat inside a tattered tent that offered little shelter from the scorching sun or heavy rain. Surrounded by piles of stones spread over the ground, she faced a large rock she had chosen as her work platform. With a heavy iron tool, she began striking the stones one after another.

Aisha said she had been doing this job for many years—breaking large rocks into small concrete pieces used for construction and flooring. With hands weary from years of labor, she grips her iron tool tightly, hammering without any protective gear or medical equipment. Her body alone serves as her shield against this grueling work.

She pointed out that this profession is not unique to her; most women in her rural area of Kassala do the same. Many are widows or sole providers for their families, struggling under severe economic pressure and fighting every day to secure food and education for their children.

Their day begins with the first light of dawn. They walk long distances to reach the mountains, where the toil begins. They work until sunset, returning home with exhausted bodies and hearts longing to see their children—each stone they break is a step toward a more dignified life.

Aisha adds that she is married and a mother of several children, sharing life’s burdens with her husband, who works in informal jobs. They both leave the house together every morning and return at sunset, where their children eagerly await them—a daily reunion that embodies patience and partnership.

Toil Without Reward

Despite the enormous effort the mountain women put in every day, the financial return remains minimal—barely enough to survive. The income does not match the hard labor or the constant dangers that surround them.

Aisha explained that she crushes between ten to fifteen sacks of stones daily, yet earns only a meager amount—just enough for basic needs, leaving no room for savings or improvement. It’s a harsh equation: work without profit, effort without reward.

Some days, no stones are sold at all, and no income is earned—as if the mountain itself has closed its doors. Despite these dry spells, the women receive no government support—no financial aid, no coordination to facilitate sales, and no efforts to improve their working conditions. They are left to face the cruelty of nature and the tightness of life on their own.

Between Rocks and Venom... A Daily Test of Endurance

The dangers surrounding Aisha and her colleagues are countless. This job is not just physically demanding—it’s a daily test of endurance. One day, while breaking a large stone, Aisha misstruck and injured her hand badly—another scar in a long list of wounds that have become part of her life’s details.

Stone crushing demands immense physical effort, yet no safety gear or medical care accompanies it. Most women suffer from back pain and respiratory issues caused by prolonged sitting and constant exposure to dust. Their diet consists of a single meager meal a day, lacking essential nutrients—leading to anemia and weakened bodies.

And the dangers don’t end there. The area swarms with scorpions and venomous insects, while rainwater during the wet season attracts snakes, turning the workplace into a field of constant threat.

Yet, despite everything, Aisha and her fellow workers still dream of safer working conditions—of tools to protect their bodies, of income that matches their toil, and of health and social care worthy of their dignity. They are not asking for much—only for the bare minimum of fairness in a profession that knows no mercy.