"I’m one person—but I have to be a mother, a father, a teacher, a provider… I have to be everything."Ataa speaks from her shelter in Zaatari Camp, where daily life for a woman raising four children alone is both routine and relentless.

In the third chapter of The Archive Speaks, we trace Ataa’s evolving life in displacement—beginning with her arrival in Zaatari and following her through marriage, motherhood, and ultimately, into the unexpected role of sole provider. Each part of her journey reveals something more about the daily realities of women in protracted displacement: the burden of decisions not entirely their own, the quiet strength of adaptation, and the labor of holding a household together when a partner is no longer present.

When Ataa first arrived in Zaatari, she was a young woman recovering from injury and disoriented by exile. In the early months, she navigated life as a single woman under watchful eyes, surrounded by a culture that equated safety with surveillance. After marrying, she stepped into a more stable routine—one shaped by hope, new responsibilities, and the dream of returning to school. Her husband supported her studies and helped with household tasks, but five months after she gave birth to their youngest child, he left in search of a future in Europe. His departure—via an irregular migration route—left Ataa suddenly alone, with four children and no clear safety net.

This episode captures that shift. Ataa revisits the emotional and logistical rupture of his departure, the pressures of becoming a female head of household, and the day-to-day challenges of parenting, teaching, and surviving—entirely on her own. Her story sits within a larger demographic shift: as of recent reports, more than 50% of households in Zaatari Camp are headed by women. Economic strain, protracted conflict, and gendered migration patterns continue to divide families—and leave women to carry what remains.

And yet, this episode is not only about hardship. It is also about clarity. About dignity. And about the slow, deliberate labor of building a life for her children, when everything else feels uncertain.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

* Ataa’s reflections on life as a single woman in the camp

* Her decision to marry and hopes of continuing her education

* The experience of raising four children in displacement

* The emotional impact of her husband’s sudden departure

* The identity shift of becoming a female head of household

Why This Story Matters

Displacement rarely unfolds in rapid evacuations—it is a prolonged process layered with adaptation, survival, and evolving roles. Ataa’s experience offers insight into what happens when family structures fracture, and women emerge as the primary caregivers, decision‑makers, and emotional anchors.

By listening closely, we begin to understand displacement not only through crisis, but through care—and the invisible leadership of women in situations of protracted displacement.

Sources

These oral histories reflect the personal memories and truths of those who tell them, shaped by time, trauma, and resilience. The Refugee Archive holds space for these voices without political alignment or editorial interference. To support listeners in understanding the broader context of what is shared, we’ve included a selection of publicly available sources that document the historical, political, and social events referenced in this episode. These materials are meant to offer background—not interpretation.

UNHCR. Zaatari Refugee Camp Factsheet. 2023.

CARE International. Women in Zaatari: Protection Challenges and Community Roles. 2016.

International Rescue Committee. Women Alone: The Fight for Survival by Syria’s Refugee Women. 2014.

UN Women. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Humanitarian Action. 2017.

Human Rights Watch. “We’re Afraid for Their Future”: Barriers to Education for Syrian Refugee Children in Jordan. 2016.

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