Khaberni - Writer and journalist Rana Al-Husseini launched her book titled "Threads of Perseverance - Stories of Work and Resilience for Syrian Refugee Women in Jordan" last evening at the cultural forum of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, in the presence of a group of writers and stakeholders.
Speaking at the book launch beside the writer Al-Husseini, was Ahmad Awad, the director of the Phoenician Center for Economic and Informatics Studies. The event was managed by media professional Samah Biberas.
Al-Husseini pointed out that her motivation to write about this topic stems from her absolute belief in women's issues and their rights, noting that women in war and refugee situations face many difficulties, paying exorbitant prices during wars.
She mentioned that only those who have experienced the refugee situation through its daily details can understand the magnitude of the tragedy and difficulties faced by refugees during wars.
Al-Husseini explained that in Jordan, the refugee crisis not only tested the resilience of national systems, but also reshaped the daily reality for both refugees and host communities.
Awad discussed the impact of Syrian refugees in Jordan from an economic perspective, noting that Jordan adopted an open and tolerant policy towards Syrian refugees, particularly regarding employment matters.
He said, "The Syrian refuge in Jordan has had some positive effects in terms of a significant consumer demand, infrastructure development in host areas, and transforming some small towns into large ones, as well as providing labor and competition in the job market."
The Regional Cooperation Director at the Norwegian Embassy in Amman, Brigitte Visser, stated that the book "Threads of Resilience" tells the stories of work and survival of Syrian refugee women in Jordan, shedding light on an important struggle, which is the displaced women's pursuit to secure livelihoods for their families.
She expressed the embassy's pride in supporting the book, a project that reflects commitment to human rights, gender equality, and social justice, praising Jordan's efforts in generously hosting refugees over decades.
The book delves into stories of Syrian refugee women, each story different from the next, yet all sharing the struggles imposed by refuge. The author highlights their stories in her new book, which serves as a profound social and human documentation of Syrian refugee women's experiences in Jordan, with a particular focus on work, resilience, and their ability to rebuild life amidst forced refuge. The book is not merely a documentation of suffering but a celebration of human strength, work as an act of resistance and rebuilding, and a clear call to view refugee women as partners in development rather than a humanitarian burden.
The book does not offer a comprehensive statistical study as much as it weaves a vivid narrative of real stories supported by legal, social, and economic analysis, highlighting the intersection of gender with refuge and poverty, and the labor market. It clarifies that Syrian women are not merely victims of war and displacement but are fundamental agents in sustaining their families and communities, highlighting this efficacy, and challenging the stereotype of the refugee woman as merely a recipient of aid, by showcasing her as a working woman, provider, pioneer, and participant in the economy and society. The book also dedicates a full chapter to the participation of refugee women in the labor market, discussing the reality of this participation and highlighting the challenges faced by Syrian refugee women in this context.
It is mentioned that Rana Al-Husseini is an activist in the field of human rights, and she is a journalist at the "Jordan Times". Al-Husseini has authored two books about women in Jordan; the first in 2009 titled "Crime in the Name of Honor", and the second in 2021 titled "Years of Struggle - The Feminist Movement in Jordan", in addition to her newly published book.
Al-Husseini has dedicated her work to social issues for over 25 years, focusing particularly on violence against women. She has received a medal presented by His Majesty King Abdullah II in 2007, and has won ten local and international awards, including the Reebok Human Rights Award in 1998 and the Arab Woman of the Year Award from the London Arab Foundation in 2019 for her social impact.
Al-Husseini is currently active on multiple boards including the advisory board for the organization "Equality Now" based in the United States, and the Jordanian National Committee for Demining and Rehabilitation. She is also a founding member of the newly established Mediterranean Women Journalists Network, a group dedicated to supporting and empowering female journalists across the Mediterranean region.
