20% is the percentage of child marriage among Lebanese minors (under 18 years), most of whom are females (87%). These shocking figures are compared to 6% of Lebanese minors who married before reaching the age of 18, according to a UNICEF report in 2016. The study prepared by the “Lebanese Democratic Women’s Gathering” last year and published its results yesterday, included a survey of 1300 people of both genders from all governorates, including Lebanese, Syrians, and Palestinians. It showed that 20% married at the age of 18 or below, and indicated a decrease in the marriage age to even lower rates among females, noting that 10% of those included in the study married between the ages of 13 and 15. Baalbek-Hermel recorded the highest percentage of early marriage cases, while Beirut recorded the lowest.
According to the study, the scourge of early marriage is clearly evident among Syrian refugees who recorded the highest percentage (45%), followed by the Lebanese (36%), which means that 20% of the Lebanese surveyed. Syrian girls topped the list of students not attending school (80%) due to the difficult living conditions in the camps, especially the security conditions “which constitute a motivating factor for marriage” for 46% of those surveyed, in addition to “the living conditions affecting children’s safety” according to 59% of them.
It is noted that this study was published in the absence of any comprehensive official statistics on child marriage, and it supports the viewpoint aimed at enacting a law that criminalizes marrying girls under 18 years old.
Study Objective
The study aimed to provide a comprehensive and insightful understanding of child marriage in Lebanon, including all Lebanese governorates, and to serve as an updated reference for all issues related to the matter as posed by UNICEF since 2016. The primary objective was to analyze the rate of marriages among children and minors aged 18 years and below in different regions of the country, considering various demographics such as sect, social status, and educational level. It comes as part of the ongoing struggle of the “Lebanese Democratic Women’s Gathering” within the #Not_Before_18 campaign to end child marriages and enact a law to set the marriage age in Lebanon.
Zeina Akar… A Journey Full of Support for Women
Zeina Akar’s appointment as Minister of Defense in Hassan Diab’s government serves as a model for the importance of involving women in political and military life, as Akar is considered the first female defense minister in the Arab world. Upon her appointment, Zeina Akar said, “I wished that the share of women in the new government would be larger.”
During her tenure, Zeina Akar was one of the most prominent advocates for securing women’s rights, which were hindered by money, law, and society from participating in political life in Lebanon. She held continuous meetings with the President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women, Claudine Aoun, to coordinate the implementation of the National Action Plan to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. She also discussed the practical steps that the Lebanese state should follow to activate the role of women in achieving peace and security conditions, starting from the UN decision’s recognition of the importance of women’s involvement in the army and the role of women in building societies and participating in leading the reform process.
It is noteworthy that Zeina Akar is the first Lebanese woman to hold three major positions: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants. In addition, Akar plays a role in managing the “Nabu” Museum in northern Lebanon, which functions as an institution to maintain communities’ connection to their culture through educational programs, training, organized tours, public lectures, and guided exhibitions it provides.
Summary:
The “Lebanese Democratic Women’s Gathering” launched a study showing that 20% married at the age of 18 or below!
