Empowerment through Waiting Modalities The Transformation of Syrian Female Refugees' Activities and Productivity in Lebanese Informal Tented Settlements

Abstract

This paper examines gender role reversal within Syrian refugee households through waiting modalities and rhythmic practices amongst Syrian female refugees living in informal tented se lements (ITSs) along the Lebanese–Syrian borderscape. The dominant traditional male role that was observed during the pre-Syrian war appears to rescind due to a new socio-economic status that female refugees gained in their waiting to return home. The ethnographic study revealed that female refugees performed new labour tasks and assumed new roles both inside and outside the ITSs whether working with host community members or assisting multisectoral agencies. In being productive, they transformed their passive waiting into an active waiting through cultural habits and daily practices. Their shrouded skills became unlocked. Gender empowerment is therefore constantly negotiated and renegotiated due to temporary coping mechanisms and forms of resiliency. This paper uses a multi-fold framework and deconstructs empowerment from a cultural and contextual perspective. The investigation of self-determination, sense of agency, and independence is performed through a Lefebvrian 'rhythmanalysis' lens (2013) present in the women's daily and seasonal activities.