Lebanon context
Lebanon is experiencing multiple crises, and (at the time of writing) was at war with Israel. With a population of more than 5 million, it also hosts the highest number of refugees per capita of anywhere in the world. Its recent history has been plagued by political and economic instability, sectarian and ethnic cleavages, and conflicts. Plummeting economic growth since 2019 has led to a dramatic increase in poverty. In 2022, the World Bank reclassified Lebanon from an upper middle-income to a lower middle-income country.
Overview Of GAGE research
GAGE research explores young people’s multidimensional capabilities, focusing on how the opportunities and challenges they face as they move through adolescence and into young adulthood vary according to characteristics (including age, gender, nationality, geographical residence, and marital status). We focus on the programming and services available to young people, and how their uptake impacts individuals’ trajectories.
Using longitudinal participatory research, GAGE follows more than 100 adolescent girls and boys from the most vulnerable communities. These include adolescents from Lebanese host communities, Syrian refugee adolescents living in informal tented settlements or collective shelters in the Baalbek region, and Palestinian refugee adolescents living in Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp (Saida city) and in Wavel camp (Baalbek city).
As part of the qualitative research, GAGE conducted a case study on economic empowerment that involved Palestinian and Syrian refugee adolescents and young people aged 15–24. The sample was mixed (by gender, nationality, geographical location, and residence – whether living in a formal refugee camp or host community). The study also included parents, and key informant interviews (KIIs) with service and programme providers. We plan to conduct an assessment study for UNICEF’s Makani programme to evaluate its impacts on children and adolescents’ overall well-being.
In Lebanon, GAGE partners with two local non-governmental organisations (NGOs): the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) in Baalbek city, and Developmental Action without Borders (Naba'a) in Ein el-Hilweh camp.
Timeline for GAGE research
2019
Participatory activities – Round 1 (focus group discussions (FGDs), peer-to-peer research activities, and participatory photography)
2020
Participatory activities – Round 2 (FGDs, in-depth interviews (IDIs), participatory photography)
2020
Covid-19 data collection – 3 rounds (virtual FGDs and IDIs, and blog writing, virtual KIIs)
2021
Participatory activities – Round 3 (FGDs, small FGDs including participants’ friends, IDIs, participatory videography, participatory photography)
2022
Participatory activities – Round 4 (FGDs, small FGDs including participants’ peers, participatory photography)
2022
Case studies of individuals who took part in the participatory research – 2 rounds (IDIs with participants, their parents, and siblings)
2022
Case studies of individuals who took part in the participatory research – 1 round (IDIs with participants, their parents, and siblings)
2023
Participatory activities – Round 5 (FGDs, participatory photography)
Timeline for the main GAGE qualitative research activities
2020
KIIs with local and national community leaders – Round 1
2021
Case study on young people’s economic empowerment in Lebanon (IDIs, FGDs with young people and their parents, KIIs)
Methods
GAGE uses a longitudinal participatory research approach with older adolescent boys and girls (aged 15–19 during the first round of data collection) to explore adolescents’ access to services and programming, factors behind the digital divide, economic empowerment, and access to education. We also explore issues around bodily integrity and freedom from violence, social cohesion, and voice and agency.
Participatory research involves individual and group interviews with adolescents, participatory photography, and peer-to-peer interview tools. Qualitative research involves IDIs and FGDs with caregivers and key informants (teachers, health workers, religious leaders, and policy and programming experts).
Sample
GAGE follows more than 100 adolescents and young people in Lebanon, including some of the most vulnerable individuals: married adolescents (or those at risk of early marriage); out-of-school adolescents (or those at risk of dropping out); and adolescents at risk of joining (or already involved with) armed forces.
Key findings
Lebanon’s multiple crises are having a devastating impact on adolescents’ access to quality education and work opportunities. Gendered social norms and traditions remain a barrier to girls’ education and work, especially for refugee girls. Refugees lack civic and economic rights, which is a major factor in refugee children’s lower educational levels. Syrian adolescent boys and girls are at greatest risk of child labour and early marriage. The crisis has also impacted young people’s access to digital technology and the internet, impacting their education and social connectedness.
Violence, including gender-based violence, permeates everyday life. Intimate partner violence (including verbal, physical and sexual violence) is normalised as it is culturally accepted, particularly among Syrian refugee communities.
The increase in crime and violence due to the recent economic crisis has further affected young people’s mobility, especially girls. Lack of work opportunities and increasing strain on households puts boys at risk of joining armed groups.
Household financial stresses, the deteriorating security situation, and ever-decreasing education and work opportunities threaten adolescents’ psychosocial well-being.
Adolescents and young people (particularly refugees) have few opportunities to engage in civic life, and have little say in decisions that affect them. Married girls are particularly isolated.
