France, Oct. 5 -- Hundreds of women carry cross-border trade on their heads and backs every day at Kasumbalesa, the Democratic Republic of Congo's second-busiest border crossing into Zambia. Their work keeps supply chains moving, but they endure extortion and harassment for work that gives little return.

They call themselves "wowo" after the Chinese goods trucks that are a common sight here.

"I am able to move the cargo of an entire truck," Alphonsine tells RFI, smiling, as she stands near the crowded pedestrian corridor at the border crossing.

"We are the 'wowo' mothers - like the trucks that carry big loads. We work as a team. If we have to unload the truck, we do it and then we carry the cargo to its destination in [DRC], according ...