Children and families in Lebanon are enduring multiple crises. The economic collapse and the COVID-19 pandemic
have significantly curtailed children’s rights and their access to basic services. This has been compounded by political
deadlock, rising instability, and the enduring impact of the Beirut port explosion. Children’s education has been
impacted, their mental wellbeing is worsening, there are increases in child labour and early marriage – and behind
closed doors, physical, verbal and sexual violence is being perpetrated against children.
In 2020, the Arab Network on child rights (Manara Network) and Save the Children commissioned research on the
impact of of COVID-19 pandemic on children and child rights in Lebanon. The scope of this research was expanded
in 2021 to include the impact of the economic crisis. The research process included a quantitative survey conducted
in 2020 in that covered Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian children, caregivers and service providers; and interviews with
public and private school principals, humanitarian and human rights organisations, and civil society associations. In
2021, focus group discussion (FGDs) were conducted with children, caregivers, teachers, and social workers in eight
governorates in Lebanon. Gender balance, diversity of nationalities, and representation of people with disabilities,
refugees and immigrants was taken into consideration in all discussions.
Key findings
Lockdown: Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, children and caregivers across Lebanon were
negatively affected by the extensive containment measures including the lockdown and home quarantine. More than
half (59%) of children surveyed noted gaps in their access to psychological and social support, entertainment,
nutrition, and security. 46% feared contracting the virus and transmitting it to their family members.
In 2021, children had less negative feelings regarding the pandemic due to the rollout of vaccinations and decrease in
reported cases, the return to physical learning in schools, and the resumption of play and social activities. However,
children are now experiencing more profoundly the impact of the economic crisis.
Education: The majority of survey respondents (69%) experienced challenges accessing distance learning in 2020,
with 33% of children citing financial constraints. 21% of children noted that their need to work was more important
than their education. Children were overwhelmingly positive about their return to school, although social workers
and teachers were more wary of COVID-19 infections and concerned about the costs of fuel and transportation.
Child labour: A third of children surveyed in 2020 believed that the challenges to accessing education drove them to
work, with 22% attributing child labour to school drop outs. A quarter of children and service providers believed that
children between the ages 13 –15 were rightly eligible to work. In 2021, the majority of respondents noted the link
between the economic crisis and increase in child labour.
Disability: Children with disabilities have experienced marginalisation through the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon
as noted by the majority (76%) of children, caregivers and service providers in 2020. Access to education, food and
healthcare – especially given the increase in the costs of medicine and specialized care – have all been issues, and they
have been exacerbated by the removal of subsidies.
Refugee children: Refugee children have faced precarious conditions throughout the pandemic, especially as many
were unable to practice physical distancing or quarantine within their densely populated informal settlements. While
the majority of respondents reported the impact of the pandemic and economic crisis being similar across the different
nationalities in Lebanon, refugee and migrant communities have been hit hardest.
With Lebanon’s crises threatening the future of millions of children, it is imperative that urgent
action is taken to safeguard their rights including by ensuring their continued access to education
and other basic needs and by enhancing their protection from abuse and harm.
“My friend cannot buy a backpack, they bring a plastic bag to school”
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 AND THE ECONOMIC CRISIS ON
CHILD RIGHTS IN LEBANON EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Violence against children: Children have been more exposed to violence since the outbreak of the pandemic in
Lebanon, with the majority (77%) reporting psychological or emotional violence and 47% reporting physical violence.
Other forms of harm and abuse experienced by children since 2020 include sexual violence (10%) neglect (36%),
exploitation (21%) and violence in the workplace (25%). In 2021, children reported that being at home had resulted
in tension between them and their parents, leading to emotional, verbal and physical violence.
Child marriage: The prevalence and nature of child marriage in Lebanon varies widely according to nationality. 6%
of Lebanese women between the ages of 20 and 24 were married before the age of 18, compared to 12% of Palestinian
refugees living in Lebanon, 25% of Palestinian refugees from Syria, and 40.5% of Syrian refugees. In 2021, children,
caregivers, teachers, and social workers considered the economic crisis a bigger driver of child marriage than the
pandemic: many families are forcing their girls into marriage to lower household expenses.
Children and armed conflict: Over half of all respondents believed that the COVID-19 pandemic increased the
number of children recruited into armed conflicts. This was due to several reasons: family disintegration, lack of
education or school dropouts, lockdown or absence of recreational places, domestic violence, and lack of spaces for
children to express themselves. In 2021, a number of respondents noted a correlation between the economic situation
and this phenomenon, mainly inside Palestinian camps. Nonetheless, the use and recruitment of children remains an
underexplored topic.
