Recent studies on the interaction between labor and colonialism have been challenging the claim that” “the history of labor in public works construction is generally presented as a male experience” (Jha 2020). Following the still prevalent narratives, previous research that intersected Portuguese colonialism and unskilled labor also followed a male-oriented direction. Research on the hierarchies established on and by the construction site is still scarce, and the gap is even greater when women are involved. Despite the vast international literature, there are no narratives that frame women’s roles in public works in the former African territories under Portuguese rule (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe). This article aims to explore how women filled these gaps, discussing the extent to which they took on logistical roles, incorporated unskilled tasks (quarrying stones; carrying mud), or influenced program and architectural agendas with an impact on design and construction systems, until they achieved greater empowerment during the colonial war/liberation (1961–74).

I would like to express my gratitude to Beatriz Serrazina for her careful review. This article was written with funding from FCT––Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal) & ERC––European Research Council (ERC-ARCHLABOUR-101096606) 10.3030/1010966

This publication is an output of the following project(s):

• Architecture, Colonialism and Labour. The role and legacy of mass labour in the design, planning and construction of Public Works in former African territories under Portuguese colonial rule