IDGC: Call for the elimination of child marriage in Lebanon

On the International Day of the Girl Child which falls on October 11 of each year, Save the Children organization issued a report yesterday entitled, “No, I don’t: abolishing child marriage in Lebanon”, urging the Lebanese Legislature to enact a draft bill to end child marriage in the country. The organization also called for setting the minimum age of marriage at 18, pointing out that the proposal put forward by the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering has been pending for two years to be reviewed by the Parliamentary Committee for Justice and Administration. The report advised finding appropriate services for children and households that promote education and increase awareness on the unfavorable consequences of early marriage. On the occasion, Save the Children country director, Allison Zelkowitz, said it is time for the Lebanese parliament to pass the bill to prevent the marriage of underage girls. She pointed out that Lebanon is one of only 12 countries that still allow this harmful traditional practice, warning it is high time to change this. (NNA, October 10, 2019)