Education is not just a fundamental human right; it is the only way to achieve equity, resilience, and long-term well-being for the communities suffering from displacement, violence, and instability. For Jordon and for every migrant and refugee who passed through prolonged crises, the door to quality and inclusive education is still open.
The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) has been advocating for a long time that the improvement of fair and inclusive access to education is not only the objective of the institutions but a very pressing need of society. In situations where formal education would cease to exist, the ARDD steps in to increase awareness, promote alternative and vocational programs, and assert the right to education for life for everyone.
Across conflict zones and refugee camps, powerful human stories reveal that ‘education is the last window of hope’. The experiences of Gazan women surviving genocide and Syrian students persisting in camps underline the same truth: education builds psychological strength, protects dignity, and becomes an act of resistance in the face of despair.
Gaza: Education Amid Trauma and Systemic Violence
In Gaza, where violence since 2023 has resulted in the loss of over 67,000 Palestinian lives, the psychological and emotional toll has given rise to a mental health crisis on the scale of which we have never seen in modern history. Women, the majority of whom are survivors, experience what the doctors call Complex Continuous Traumatic Stress; it is the result of relentless violence, forced migration, and grief.
The Mental Health Impact on Gaza Women
Women living in Gaza suffer from anxiety, depression, fear, and exhaustion as a part of their everyday life, most of them without access to any kind of mental health services. Their everyday life is made up of:
● Shelters with no privacy and high population density
● No access to basic needs, such as food, water, and menstrual hygiene products
● Increased caregiving responsibilities
● Witnessing repeated exposure to death and destruction
Though the difficulties are enormous, these women still carry the burden of their families’ support and often neglect their own needs to make life go on for others around them.
Reproductive Health Under Attack
The collapse of over 85% of Gaza’s healthcare facilities has subjected women to life-threatening situations for childbirth, menstruation, and even basic medical care. They get infected because of a shortage of hygiene products, are compelled to deliver babies in the open, and suffer an alarming increase in miscarriage rates that are mainly caused by malnutrition and trauma. All these factors denote a form of brutal violence against female reproduction, homing in on physical freedom as a war strategy.
Education as Resistance and Restoration
Despite adversity, women in Gaza not only provide for their families but also organize educational activities for children, create informal support networks, and employ cultural and spiritual coping strategies. By doing so, the education becomes a sumud (steadfastness), maintaining identity and mending shards of normalcy.
Syrian Refugee Camps: Education as the Last Refuge of Hope
In Jordan’s Za’atari, Azraq, and formerly Mrajeeb Al-Fhood Camps, migrant and refugee students continue their academic journeys despite the hardships of displacement. Their stories reflect a shared belief that education is the only path out of uncertainty.
ARDD’s Education-Focused Interventions
ARDD’s work in the field of education is grounded in a commitment to justice, dignity, and inclusive access for Jordanians, migrants, and refugees. The organization’s vision aligns with its education strategy—to ensure lifelong learning opportunities for all.
National and Community-Level Education Support
Through the National Alliance for the Future of Education in Jordan (NAFE), ARDD monitors national systems and advocates for policies that strengthen inclusive access. Projects such as:
● “Investing in the Future”
● “Education for the Future”
● “Enhancing Learning to Improve Life Opportunities”
● “Empowering Each Other”
● “Comprehensive Access of Children to Justice”
● “Our Right”
Have expanded education opportunities for marginalized groups, including children with disabilities, refugees in camps, and youth in impoverished communities.
Strengthening Education Inside Camps
ARDD continues to call for:
● Expanding psychological and educational programs
● Strengthening data collaboration with the Ministry of Education
● Increasing university scholarships for refugee students
● Amplifying success stories to inspire others
These efforts reaffirm that education is not merely a technical service—it is a tool for rebuilding lives and sustaining hope.
Education as a Path Toward Peace and Reconstruction
The agony of violence that no one can imagine is experienced by Gaza women and the youth of Syrian refugees who are trying to make their future in the camps. Education is a process that positively changes people. It helps them to withstand, to see the future, and to start anew.
What is left to be considered is not the matter of education being important—the reason being that the narratives of Jordon, migrants, and refugees confirm its necessity—but whether the world will provide sufficient funding to equal their resolve.
The Transformative Power of Education in Times of Crisis
Education should be regarded as a humanitarian necessity and a tool for peacebuilding. When women, youth, and displaced communities are provided with the necessary support, they turn into the ones who lead the regeneration of their societies. Their fortitude is a testimony that even in the most adverse situations, education is the way out.
