A Lebanese woman talks to two Syrian refugee girls about gender-based violence and early marriage, at a UNICEF project supported by UK aid in southern Lebanon.

Khadija is a Lebanese educator working with the Italian NGO Intersos. Intersos is being supported by UK aid and UNICEF to provide help to girls who are refugees from Syira and Lebanese girls as well. Girls and young women from both communities are at increased risk of sexual violence and early marriage due in part to pressures created by the conflict in Syria.

"Most of the girls I meet are worried about their futures", says Khadija.

"One of their main concerns is being married too early. They worry about how they will cope this this, and would just rather be in school to finish their education".

There are lots of cultural and financial pressures on both Syrian and Lebanese families, and the early marrying of daughters is often seen as a means of providing security to the girls and the families.