Marriage in Displacement: Gendered Resettlement Strategies of Syrian Women in Egypt


Dina Taha, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies

Drawing on fieldwork data from Syrian refugee women who married Egyptian men to navigate forced migration, this study explores how displacement reshapes the meaning and purpose of marriage. Many such marriages, often customary/unregistered or polygamous, are compared to forced marriage and gender-based violence. Beyond framing these unions solely as exploitation, the study investigates how displacement changes refugee women's perceptions of marriage and how marriage serves as a strategic approach to resettlement. The drive behind these marriages is motivated by a mix of affective and pragmatic interests, challenging colonial binaries like victim/agent, empowered/exploited, forced/voluntary. This case study expands the understanding of gendered and Othered refugee experiences, emphasizing the transformative potential of marriage in forced displacement contexts. In applying a decolonizing intersectional theoretical framework to this case study, I build on a growing body of literature that recognizes the ways in which Eurocentrism and the colonial legacy dictate knowledge production and North‒South collaboration. Such literature aims not only to identify tools and strategies but also to create a paradigm shift in how knowledge is produced. By recognizing and linking such work to refugee research, I seek to explore other ways of existing while emphasizing the inadequacy of some hegemonic notions in fully explaining refugee experiences. To this point, Sherene Razack (2004) argued that it is very common when adopting a "Western feminist worldview," with its cultural and historical specificity, to fall into "cultural deficit explanations" when attempting to understand and explain non-Western women's experiences, describing them often as "overly patriarchal and inherently uncivilized" (p. 129). This becomes particularly pertinent when approaching the gendered and power dynamics in this case study in ways that might reinforce the exploitation narrative of advocacy groups and social media campaigns that "Syrian refugees are cheaper, prettier, better cooks and easier to marry" (Youssef and Ismail, 2013). The paper foregrounds Syrian refugee women's narratives, acknowledging marginalized experiences that challenge Western-centric worldviews. Despite the benevolent efforts of international humanitarianism, resettlement options often reflect a victim-saviour mentality, reinforcing asymmetrical social hierarchies. Through Marriage for Refuge, the study centers gendered, self-initiated, and innovative resettlement options, shifting the discourse toward self-authorized modes of protection and "self-rescue" resettlement options. Post-displacement experiences illustrate how the meaning of an ideal marriage evolved to accommodate new social norms and unconventional choices. Displacement resulted in the loss of social capital, leaving some vulnerable but also presenting different considerations and alleviating social restrictions. Marrying again after widowhood or divorce became a viable option for social and pragmatic reasons, justified morally. 'Urfi marriage and polygamy, though socially less accepted, provided alternative paths for women to navigate marital relationships and exercise agency. The evolving understanding of marriage reflects a complex interplay between cultural, religious, and individual factors, shaping the dynamics of gender relations. The narratives challenge conventional humanitarian and liberal perspectives, revealing the malleable nature of marital and family structures beyond Western norms. While pragmatic considerations play a role in decisions, their understanding of marriage and gender identity goes beyond strategic maneuvering; rather, it emerges from culturally ascribed gender roles. Examining how the meaning of marriage has shifted for Syrian refugees, driven by identity ruptures and strategic adjustments to displacement, this study reveals the reshaping of marriage and its circumstances. Some women gained an elevated sense of control, leading to remarriage as an emerging social option. Certain women challenged the normative image of an ideal marriage, adopting unconventional forms like 'urfi (customary) marriage and polygamy. These aspects form the focal point of the analysis. The analysis expands discussions on gender, displacement, and marriage, challenging prevailing norms and offering new perspectives beyond colonial binary categories. The intertwining of marriage and resettlement shows how marriage becomes a self-initiated form of refuge, providing legal, economic, social, and moral support. The prevailing notion of a "real" marriage is decentered, emphasizing the significance of extended family dynamics and leveraging socially ascribed gender roles in asserting moral agency and gaining empowerment and autonomy. Furthermore, the study highlights how refugee women exercise agency and autonomy within their cultural contexts, considering moral considerations and strategic maneuvering in their marriage decisions as part of their pursuit of self-interest.

This paper will be presented at the following session: