Syria, located in the heart of the Middle East, has been the scene of one of the longest and most atrocious armed conflicts in the history of mankind, which resulted in the largest refugee crisis in history with more than 6.8 million Syrians fleeing the country since the war began in 2011. Due to its geographical location and proximity to Syria, Lebanon has one of the highest numbers of refugees per capita in the world and currently offers shelter to more than 1.5 million Syrians who fled in search of protection.

Lebanon is currently experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history, making it virtually impossible to accommodate refugees and meet their basic needs. In a country on the brink of collapse, the survival of the most vulnerable groups is complicated by a bleak outlook. In addition to the precarious conditions in the refugee camps, the political and economic crisis that the country is going through has influenced the rapid deterioration of the living conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. In addition, the economic situation worsened as a result of the pandemic and the explosion in the port of Beirut in 2020 (the latter being a key point in the country's economic development).

The increase in the levels of famine, debt, unemployment and in general the deterioration of the quality of life have led to an increase in the number of child marriages in Syrian refugee camps. The crisis in Lebanon puts the most vulnerable children at risk where, according to UNICEF, it is estimated that 40.5% of girls and women in Syrian refugee camps were married before the age of 18.

Child marriage is defined as the union, formal or informal, of a girl under the age of 18 with another boy or adult. This practice violates a number of human rights, including the right to a healthy childhood, access to education and future development. Families often resort to child marriage to ensure that their daughters are safe, protected by their husbands and guaranteed food. Furthermore, in a context where nine out of ten Syrian families live in extreme poverty, the dowry received for marrying their daughters translates into extra income. However, in practice this is often not the case, as girls who marry before the age of 18 are more likely to suffer a range of abuses from their husbands and their chances of attending school are crucially reduced.

There are numerous factors that contribute to child marriage among Syrian refugees such as poverty, gender inequality, lack of educational opportunities, lack of a legal framework, as well as cultural and religious practices. To date, there is no legal age for marriage in Lebanon. Instead, each religious sect is allowed to set a minimum age for marriage based on its own codes. There are 18 official faiths in the country that recognize in their codes issues such as the marriage of minors from the age of 14 and, in some cases, even from the age of nine, with the authorization of parents or religious leaders. In the absence of national regulation, minors are at the mercy of religious norms that exceed the legality in a country where child marriage is widespread.

The situation in Lebanon affects all populations living in the country. However, the refugee population is more vulnerable and the prevalence of child marriage among Syrian refugee girls is alarming. Given the lack of legislation, as well as the prevalence of social and cultural norms that encourage child marriage, civil society and governments must work with religious leaders and parents to raise awareness of the consequences of this practice. Prevention and education programmes are needed in refugee communities, as girls who have access to education are more likely to avoid child marriage.

Syrian refugees in Lebanon struggle every day to survive in a country at the limits of its capabilities, where girls and women are destined to bear the brunt of the crisis.