Global Health Action
Volume 12, Issue 1, 2019

Child marriage of female Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon: a literature review (Review) (Open Access)

El Arab R.* , Sagbakken M.
  • a Al-Ghad International Colleges for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • b Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet–Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway

Abstract

Background: The Syrian conflict has resulted in major humanitarian crises. The risk is particularly high amongst female children who face additional gendered risks, such as harassment and sexual violence, including a rise in prevalence of child marriage. Despite the importance of this topic, current literature remains relatively scarce. Objectives: This study aims to explore the social and healthcare repercussions of Syrian refugee child marriages in Jordan and Lebanon. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out to gather evidence, from a total of eight articles. Data analysis was conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme check tool to systematically assess the trustworthiness, relevance and results of the included papers. Results: The findings of this research identify tradition, honour, economics, fear, and protection-related factors as drivers of child marriage of refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. These motives overlap with findings regarding access to reproductive health and reproductive rights. The lack of autonomy of the child to give informed consent is augmented in the context of protracted violence and displacement. Conclusion: There is a need for a holistic approach to provide safe spaces, education, and protection to young girls and their families to reduce their acceptance of child marriage. © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

reproductive rights child marriage Gender reproductive health Syrian refugees

Index Keywords

education refugee economics Jordan Syrian Arab Republic girl human epidemiology Refugees violence statistics and numerical data reproductive rights driver ethnology informed consent altruism marriage Lebanon Humans female Review gender human experiment Syria data analysis Reproductive Health skill systematic review Fear Child

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063537573&doi=10.1080%2f16549716.2019.1585709&partnerID=40&md5=19f8ea12f2827f8f83521d1ca302cceb

DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2019.1585709
ISSN: 16549880
Original Language: English