Child Marriage in Crisis: How Syrian Refugees Are Using SenseMaker® to Break the Cycle

SenseMaker® is a research tool developed by Cognitive Edge that collects mixed-methods data, enabling participants to self-interpret their experiences. In the context of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, SenseMaker® was implemented as part of a research project to understand and address the complex issue of child marriage. It allowed Syrian refugees to share their personal stories and perspectives, providing nuanced insights into the factors driving child marriage within their communities. This approach differs from traditional research methods by minimizing researcher bias and promoting community ownership of the findings.

SenseMaker® offers several advantages when studying sensitive issues such as child marriage. It captures nuance and complexity by allowing participants to express their experiences in their own words. The tool reduces researcher bias by empowering participants to self-interpret their narratives. SenseMaker® also promotes community ownership, encouraging community members to become active participants in the research process and potential solutions. Additionally, it generates actionable insights through the combination of qualitative and quantitative data, enabling researchers and practitioners to identify effective and culturally-appropriate interventions. However, it is important to recognize the limitations SenseMaker® has as a research tool and the importance of adapting to different settings and maintaining effective communication.

The SenseMaker® project involved a diverse range of participants to ensure a holistic understanding of child marriage. These participants included married and unmarried Syrian girls, parents, husbands of child brides, unmarried men, and community leaders. Data collection occurred across three key locations in Lebanon: Beirut, Beqaa Valley, and Tripoli, reflecting the diverse geographic distribution of Syrian refugees. This inclusive approach aimed to capture a multitude of perspectives on the issue.

SenseMaker® represents a paradigm shift from traditional top-down research approaches by embracing a more participatory and context-driven model. Traditional methods often impose pre-defined categories and interpretations, potentially overlooking the nuances of individual experiences. SenseMaker® empowers participants to share their personal stories and self-interpret their experiences through guided questions, allowing for a more nuanced and culturally sensitive understanding of the issue. This is particularly significant when addressing complex social issues because it ensures that the findings are grounded in the lived realities of the affected population, leading to more effective and culturally appropriate interventions.

The SenseMaker® project in Lebanon has demonstrated the potential of community-driven research methodologies to address complex social issues within vulnerable populations. By empowering Syrian refugees to share their stories and self-interpret their experiences, the project has generated valuable insights into the drivers of child marriage and paved the way for culturally-sensitive interventions. While specific interventions aren't detailed, the project highlights the importance of community ownership and culturally appropriate solutions. Next steps involve scaling the SenseMaker® approach, further adapting it to various settings, and potentially combining it with other research methodologies to deepen the understanding of child marriage and similar social challenges.