<p>This study introduces a novel framework for understanding refugee agency, focusing on the experiences of refugee women in three distinct stages and contexts: in countries of asylum, during forced migration, and in asylum. The research, based on 24 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with refugee women from the Middle East and Africa residing in Portugal, challenges traditional views that emphasize refugees’ efforts to change their circumstances. Instead, it proposes conceptualizing refugee women’s agency as twofold: as emancipatory resistance against oppressive structures and as resilience, an adaptive ability to navigate these constraints. The aim of this study is to provide a deeper understanding of how refugee women actively confront and challenge oppressive structures, advocating for an emancipatory approach that transcends conventional analyses. At the same time, it highlights the resourcefulness and creative strategies employed by these women to adapt and survive within these structures, thus redefining resilience. Key findings from the interviews reveal that refugee women employ various forms of resistance to oppressive conditions while simultaneously demonstrating remarkable resilience through adaptive strategies. This dual perspective enriches academic discourse by offering a more comprehensive understanding of refugee agency. Furthermore, it provides practical insights for policymakers and humanitarian practitioners, helping them to better support and empower refugee women in their daily lives.</p>