What does it mean to become the head of a household overnight?

In this final chapter of Ataa’s Story, we follow her through one of the most overlooked transformations in displacement: the moment a woman becomes everything—mother, father, provider, protector.

After her husband’s sudden departure from Za’atari Refugee Camp, Ataa was left to raise four children alone. With no roadmap, no partner, and little support, she rebuilt her daily life around survival, care, and hope. Her story reflects the lived reality of countless refugee women who are now Female-Headed Households (FHHs)—a growing but underrepresented demographic. In Za’atari, nearly one in three families is led by a woman.

This episode of The Archive Speaks is a testimony to that shift. We hear Ataa’s reflections on becoming a head of household, navigating judgment, raising children under strain, and building a future with no guarantee—only faith and persistence.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

* What happened the day her husband left the camp

* The emotional shift from partner to sole provider

* How she handles judgment and isolation as a single mother in Za’atari

* Her approach to parenting, online work, and faith

* What she dreams for her children, and the future she still believes is possible

Why This Story Matters

Female-Headed Households in refugee camps are not the exception—they are the structure many families now rely on. Yet they remain largely invisible in policy, programming, and media. Ataa’s story gives us rare insight into what women carry when no one else is left—and what leadership in displacement truly looks like.

By listening closely to voices like Ataa’s, we move beyond statistics and into lived truth. This is not just a story of survival. It’s a story of strategy, strength, and the love that builds futures.

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.

UNHCR. Zaatari Refugee Camp Factsheet. 2023CARE International. Women in Zaatari: Protection Challenges and Community Roles. 2016International Rescue Committee. Women Alone: The Fight for Survival by Syria’s Refugee Women. 2014UN Women. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Humanitarian Action. 2017Human Rights Watch. “We’re Afraid for Their Future”: Barriers to Education for Syrian Refugee Children in Jordan. 2016

Get full access to The Refugee Archive: Global Center for Displaced FHH at therefugeearchive.substack.com/subscribe