1. Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello, my name is Kristiane Débo MAKOUDOUM. I am a gantry crane operator and mobile crane driver.
2. What does the job of a gantry crane operator and mobile crane driver involve?
This job consists of loading and unloading vessels by operating lifting equipment such as gantry cranes and mobile cranes.
3. What do you appreciate most about this profession?
What I appreciate most is the autonomy it provides. This job requires a high level of concentration, but once an operation is completed, we immediately move on to another vessel, which brings great dynamism to everyday work.
4. What challenges have you faced as a woman gantry crane operator and mobile crane driver?
As a woman working in this field, the challenges are daily. Mentalities are evolving, but it is still difficult for some people to accept seeing a woman in this profession. Prejudice, lack of consideration, skeptical looks… these are realities we must face.
To overcome this, you have to prove yourself through your work and assert yourself through dedication and commitment, showing that you are just as capable—sometimes even more so—than your male colleagues. It is a real challenge, far more difficult than the job itself.
Physically, we do the same work, but mentally, we must also fight against doubt and external judgment.
I have an anecdote about this: when I was working as an auto mechanic, I was assigned to repair a vehicle’s brakes. When the owner saw me, he protested: “You’re putting a woman on my vehicle? Do you want me to die on the road?” Yet I had all the skills required to carry out the repair meticulously. This kind of reaction clearly shows how much progress still needs to be made.
Read the full interview on pages 50 to 52 of Blue Women Africa Magazine : https://www.bluewomenafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Blue-Women-Africa-Magazine-English.pdf
