The Union of Municipalities of Donniyeh signed on July 12, an agreement with UNFPA, RET Liban and the Canadian Embassy in Beirut, on the protection and empowerment through training of underage girls. The event, which was held at the Union’s premises in Bakhun, Donniyeh in the North, highlighted the issue of “girl marriage in our communities and its risks on health, as well as on social and psychological life of its victims, according to Judy Fatfat from the Union. The Union head, Mohamad Saadiyeh, pointed in turn, to a strategic plan to empower communities, and women in particular, that is being implemented by the Union. For her part, RET Liban representative stressed the organization’s commitment to protect vulnerable communities, notably women and underage girls through job-generating sustainable initiatives. She explained that RET Liban is implementing the project in the Dinniyeh area and other areas in the North and across Lebanon to help the marginalized youth in the Lebanese and Syrian communities. Likewise, Reproductive Health Director at UNFPA, Maguy Ghanem, said that minor girl marriages have become rampant in Arab societies, stating that despite international, local community and governmental efforts to promote the role of women, girls and women remain the most vulnerable to illiteracy, poverty and abuse, including domestic violence. (Al Mustaqbal, July 13, 2019)