Decentralised birth registration nets more children

The Zimbabwean government has increased birth registration points around the country to boost the number of recorded children beyond the current level of 70 percent and improve their access to schooling and health services. The decentralisation will ease congestion at the 10 provincial registration points, but children's rights groups have faulted the government for inadequate publicity of the initiative, which began in September last year. The central registration office in the capital, Harare, now has seven substations, two of them at the biggest referral hospitals in the country - Harare and Parirenyatwa. However, a visit to most substations in the city revealed few visitors. Sarah Hwata at the Mount Pleasant substation said she only got to hear of the facility after "queuing for two days" at the main registration point. The Child Protection Society (CPS) stressed that continuous public education should accompany the decentralisation drive. Without birth certificates, children cannot gain access to health and education, and are prone to exploitation and poverty. "Those most in need of registration are not likely to have access to any newspaper," Busi Bhebhe, an advocacy officer with CPS, told IRIN. Registering a new baby remains low on the list of priorities of vulnerable communities. For example, an estimated 75 percent of the children of former farm workers who lost their jobs in the controversial land reform process are not registered, according to a survey by the NGO, Farm Orphan Support Trust. The CPS said although it welcomed decentralisation, the process remained cumbersome. Registration requires a birth confirmation record, given by the hospital of delivery on full payment of maternity fees and production of the mother's identity card. However, mothers who are themselves unregistered lack the identity cards necessary to facilitate their children's registration. It is also difficult for children from customary law unions where a bride price was paid but no marriage certificate exists - a common occurrence in Zimbabwe. The father is required to be present at registration for his name to go on the birth certificate.