The ongoing Syrian conflict has generated one of the largest refugee crises in recent history forcing over 5.5 million people to flee their homes and escape to neighbouring countries. Lebanon, one such neighbouring country, now is home to approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees. The situation for children, especially for girls, is of great concern as instability and lack of a certain future has led to many ramifications including a significant rise in child marriage.
Prior to the conflict in Syria, child marriage was not unheard of with 13% of young Syrian women being married before the age of 18. However, the outbreak of the conflict has caused a massive increase in the rate of this practice. Current figures estimate that 41% of Syrian girls are married before the age of 18. This does not include the number of informal unions, which from our work on the ground is much more commonplace.
