Married too soon: Early marriage in the Syrian conflict

By Amani Kanjo, Project Coordinator, CARE partner - Syria Relief and Development

“When I met her, it was immediately clear that she wasn’t prepared for the responsibility of being a mother – she herself was still a child!”  The girl was only 14, already a mother, but it was not the first time Hanan* had dealt with such a case.

Hanan has served as a social worker for three years in a CARE-supported primary health care facility operated by Syria Relief and Development (SRD) in Idlib governorate, in northern Syria. On average, she meets with 15 families each week, many dealing with the psychosocial stressors caused by war.  Among the most concerning cases she encounters are girls who have been married before adulthood, many of whom are still teenagers, their own bodies not yet matured.

“A 14-year old does not understand the severity of what awaits her. The responsibilities that she will shoulder – bearing and raising children, caring for a family – it’s not something any child should be forced to deal with,” says Hanan.

With the on-going war, there is a dearth of data available on rates of early marriage, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it has increased since the beginning of the war.  Social workers cite a number of factors, from financial burden to perceptions of security or honour.

“Some parents are convinced that early marriage can be beneficial, and they convince their daughter of the same,” Hanan explains.

As an example, she shares the story of a girl whose parents told her that marriage would provide her with security, especially during the war and in a dangerous area where she could be at great risk of attack or sexual assault.  To them, the assurance of this protection would in turn ensure the family’s honor while likewise providing them a dowry. 

“These are common reasons provided by parents when choosing early marriage for their daughters,” Hanan says.   

“In this case, the young girl felt she was doing something good, providing her family with a financial reward in exchange for agreeing to marriage. However, the girl admitted that she would have preferred to marry a poor man who was young, someone with whom she could build a more stable relationship, rather than an older, richer man with no emotional investment in the relationship,” Hanan describes the situation of a recent client.  The husband was twice the girl’s age – 15 years her senior.  

Advocates cite the multiple negative impacts of early marriage, including the physical impacts on both mother and infant. 

“The girl’s own body has not yet developed,” Hanan says.  “It’s unsafe – they’re unable to carry the baby to full term.  Babies are more often born premature, some weighing less than 2.5 kilograms, extremely below average.”

Young mothers also lack awareness and are unprepared to care for infants.  Hanan cites examples where mothers could not identify that their infant was malnourished.  “They are not aware of what’s required to satisfy a baby’s appetite or what food may be appropriate,” the social worker says.

Furthermore, girls forced into early marriage often have trouble adapting to their new lives and are more likely to lack an emotional attachment to their partner. 

“One girl described her relationship with her husband as superficial, more functional than expressive. There was no emotional investment, she did not like the way she was treated. It was an unhappy relationship,” Hanan says.

One of the greatest impacts of early marriage is on the girl’s emotional and psychological health.

“It will be impacted negatively, of course,” Hanan says, emphasizing the significant affect it has on the girl as she grows more aware.  “As she matures, we see her mental state worsen.  Day by day, she thinks more logically. In the case of one girl, our evaluation revealed her deep disappointment with her circumstances – a realization that her life was not meeting the promised expectations. Her psychosocial problems were related to depression and isolation from friends and the rest of society, as well as an inability to fulfil her perceived role as ‘wife’ and ‘mother’.” 

The CARE-supported SRD center in Idlib helps girls address this by providing careful consultation to those who visit. Following an evaluation, social workers prepare a therapeutic plan.  This includes support for her psychosocial skill development with training in mental relaxation techniques and emotional and behavioural change exercises. The team refer girls to local community centers and “safe spaces” where they can interact with other women. Girls are given the opportunity to engage in discussions and focus groups where they can safely express their feelings on early marriage.

“By helping her integrate with more people in her local community, her feelings of alienation will be reduced,” Hanan explains.

One of the greatest obstacles these girls face is lack of access to education.  Following marriage, many lose the opportunity to study.

“A child who is married early is deprived of many basic rights,” Hanan says, “including the vital right to education. Being taken out of school to become a mother at such a young age undoubtedly has an impact on the child’s wellbeing.”

Education is key to a better future, but when girls marry, they lose the opportunity to develop a stronger foundation. To bridge these gaps, this UNFPA- funded center provides opportunities for girls to participate in vocational training that will help empower and support them in making their own decisions, as they develop an understanding of the role they now play in their family.   Social workers also provide girls with information on family planning methods and appropriate contraceptives.

“We want to help her build on her strengths,” Hanan says with a positive outlook. “Through our work at the center we provide her with coping mechanisms that can better guide her in dealing with difficult circumstances.”

*Hanan used a pseudonym to protect her identity. 

Read more about CARE's work in Syria here.