Reducing Rates of Early Marriage in Lebanon

Anera staffer Sarah Hachem reports on Anera’s Sama Project from Akkar, Lebanon. Early marriage is a problem for vulnerable families in Lebanon’s most impoverished governorate.

Anera is currently selecting nearly 500 girls, aged 13 to 16, to participate. Their families will receive monthly stipends to pay for their daughters’ continued schooling and offset day-to-day expenses. Financial pressures can sometimes lead families to view girls as a burden which can be fixed with early marriage. This pilot program aims to lessen economic struggles and continue girls’ education so they have better future prospects.