International Anglican Family NetworkPromoting front-line Family Care throughout the Anglican Communion

Supporting the Campaign for Universal Birth Registration

The Churchesand Birth Registration

 

• NOT REGISTERED - 51 million children each year• NOT REGISTERED - Half of under-5s across the world• NOT REGISTERED - 64% of births in South Asia• NOT REGISTERED - 63% of births in sub-Saharan Africa • NOT REGISTERED - 2%  of births in industrialised 

 countries 

Birth Registration is a Big Issue

Why does Birth Registration matter?

  Birth Registration gives a child

• citizenship• access to immunisation and healthcare•  access to education

Why does Birth Registration matter?

 

 Birth Registration protects children from

• early marriage• recruitment to armed groups• imprisonment as adult prisoners • child labour, prostitution, pornography

Why does Birth Registration matter?

 

 Birth Registration means an adult can

• sit national exams• gain a social security number• marry• have a driver’s license• own a SIM card• get a passport

Birth Registration promotes development

Registered adults can • work• vote and stand for election• own property

Why does Birth Registration matter?

Birth Registration promotes development

With accurate statistics, nations can• plan health • plan education• plan economic development• recover more quickly from war, disease, 

famine or natural disaster.

Why does Birth Registration matter?

Birth Registration is a Gospel issue

• We belong• We live in relationship – with God, with others• Unregistered children are often poor, 

marginalised, displaced• Jesus gave children status

Why does Birth Registration matter?

• Distance from registration offices• Patriarchal attitudes• Clash with local culture• Parents unaware or suspicious• Lack of State capacity• The cost 

Birth Registration: Obstacles to overcome

• A priority for some NGOs, eg, UNICEF;          Plan International.

• State registration campaigns.• Churches using local presence to promote 

and assist.

What is already being done?

• Understand birth registration as a Gospel priority.

• Work with the State.• Partner with other churches and agencies.• Build trust and awareness through  

community presence. • Promote registration through existing family 

ministries.

What more can churches do?

• Provide evidence of birth, eg, baptism certificates, clinic records.

• Offer church buildings as registration centres.• Help families directly to register their children.• Share good practice.

What more can churches do?

International Anglican Family NetworkPromoting front-line Family Care throughout the Anglican Communion

Supporting the Campaign for Universal Birth Registration

“The unregistered child does not exist”

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Let us know what is happening in your area. Contact IAFN at mail@iafn.net