Amman, Feb. 10 – Author and journalist Rana Husseini launched her new book “Threads of Resilience – Stories of Labor and Survival among Syrian Women Refugees in Jordan” yesterday at the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation’s Cultural Forum. The event gathered writers, experts, and members of the cultural community.
Husseini was joined by Ahmad Awad, Director of the Phenix Center for Economic and Informatics Studies. The discussion was moderated by journalist Samah Bibars.
Husseini explained that her longstanding commitment to women’s rights inspired the book. She noted that women in conflict zones and displacement circumstances face intensified challenges and bear the heaviest burdens of war. Only those who experience displacement daily, she said, truly grasp the scale of its hardship.
She added that in Jordan, the refugee crisis has not only tested national systems but also reshaped the everyday lives of both refugees and host communities.
From an economic perspective, Awad highlighted the impact of Syrian displacement on Jordan. He noted that Jordan adopted an open and flexible policy toward Syrian refugees, particularly in employment. This approach, he said, produced several positive outcomes, including increased consumer demand, improved infrastructure in host areas, rapid urban growth in smaller cities, and expanded participation in the labor market.
Brigitte Visse, Director of Regional Cooperation at the Norwegian Embassy in Amman, said the book documents the determination of Syrian refugee women working to support their families. She emphasized that the stories highlight the fundamental struggle—that of displaced women striving to rebuild stability through work. Visse expressed the embassy’s pride in supporting the project, which reflects commitments to human rights, gender equality, and social justice. She also praised Jordan’s decades-long role in hosting refugees with dignity.
The book presents diverse stories of Syrian refugee women who share the common challenges of displacement. Husseini offers a deeply human portrayal of their experiences, focusing on how they navigate work, resilience, and the rebuilding of their lives. The book both documents hardship and celebrates human strength, framing work as an act of rebuilding and resistance. It calls for recognizing refugee women as contributors to development rather than as humanitarian dependents.
Instead of a statistical study, the book weaves personal narratives supported by legal, social, and economic analysis. It illustrates how gender intersects with displacement, poverty, and labor-market realities. The stories demonstrate that Syrian women are not passive victims of conflict but key actors in supporting their families and communities. By portraying them as workers, providers, and entrepreneurs, the book challenges the stereotype of refugee women as mere recipients of aid. A dedicated chapter examines their participation in the labor market and the obstacles they face.
Rana Husseini is a human rights advocate and journalist at The Jordan Times. Her earlier books include “Murder in the Name of Honor” (2009) and “Years of Struggle: The Women’s Movement in Jordan” (2021). For more than 25 years, she has focused on social issues, especially violence against women. She received a royal medal from His Majesty King Abdullah II in 2007 and has earned ten local and international awards, including the Reebok Human Rights Award (1998) and the Arab Woman Award from the London Arabia Organization (2019).
Husseini serves on several boards, including the Advisory Council of Equality Now (USA) and the Jordanian National Committee for Demining and Rehabilitation. She is also a founding member of the newly established Euro-Mediterranean Network of Women Journalists.