Children without birth certificates are at a higher risk of lifelong deprivations and exclusion from socio-economic benefits. In remote areas of Makoni District in Zimbabwe – wards 12, 14, 15, 16, 25 and 39, parents do not see the benefits of their own citizenship, let alone, the benefits that birth registration would confer on their children.
The right to a name and nationality is well established, yet in these locales, most children from poor households including households with children with disabilities are not registered. Most of these children are staying with grandparents who cannot trace the whereabouts of the mothers who trekked to South Africa in search of jobs during Zimbabwe`s worst economic downturn between 2007 – 2008. The majority of these mothers did not return home. It is highly likely that some of the parents died as a result of HIV and AIDS while working in South Africa.
The Diocese of Mutare Community Care Programme (DOMCCP), with support from Misean Cara, regards birth registration as a priority intervention in the package of services that are provided for children. It interfaces with the access to education intervention. DOMCCP has continually supported campaigns to encourage parents to register their children for birth registration. DOMCCP works closely with government departments of Social Services and Child Care, and the District Registrar`s office to encourage greater attention and resources for birth registration for children in economically distressed conditions.
During the first 2016 quarter of this project, DOMCCP was able to assist 21 households with vulnerable children to obtain birth certificates. 9 children from 6 households successfully obtained birth certificates and 12 households with 35 children got information from the registrar`s office on the requirements needed for their children to also obtain birth certificates. DOMCCP assisted the children`s guardians with funds for transport and refreshments during the process. This achievement led to guardians celebrating the children`s first legal acknowledgement. This milestone has occasioned attitudinal change in the community as they now realise that birth registration is critical for children as it enables them to access varied services for good child development.
Special report by Fanuel Nyatsuro from DOMCCP in Makoni District, Zimbabwe.
Photo Caption: Children show the birth certificates their guardians obtained for them with support from DOMCCP. Photo: DOMCCP.
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