Exist to Exist - Birth Registration in Zimbabwe

So much activity done and even more planned.

Our project officer highlighted the socio-cultural factors that hinder early birth registration including withholding of death certificates due to unpaid lobola (dowry) at Nyamandlovu Primary School Umguza ward 13 in partnership with the Umguza District Registrar.

Awareness Raising was held at Pelandaba Bulawayo, where our officer facilitated on the procedures of birth registration and requirements needed for Access to Documentation. During the meeting it was discovered that many children without birth certificates are born in South Africa and are staying with paternal relatives. We partnered with Department for Social Development, National AIDS Council as well as Ministry of Health.

A Community Dialogue was held at Queens Mine Bubi District Ward 10 .The mandate of the key was to address birth registration issues encountered by communities in mining areas. It was noted that people without birth certificates migrate to Bubi from other provinces for mining and this leads to increased numbers of children without birth certificates in the district.

Sensitisation in health was conducted at Fingo Clinic Umguza ward 3, where our project officer encouraged mothers to register their children soon after birth and also utilise the stipulated period of 42 days. We emphasised for teen mothers to attain identity cards as soon they discover that they are expecting as this eases access to birth registration.

Links:

• ZET Website
• ZET Instagram
• Trinity Project Twitter

Where to begin? 

Children born outside Bubi and Umguza district without birth confirmation records are now being assisted regardless of their birth place. In the past the Registrar would send people back to the place of birth to gain a birth confirmation record and pursue the registration locally. Now the Registrar is willingly contacting a hospital to confirm the birth and from there birth registration is initiated. This plays an important role in removing transport costs as well.

Schools nationwide are no longer withholding access to basic education from children without documentation, a policy change that has led to clear improvements. Children can now attend school while their birth registration is being resolved, reducing exclusion and disruption, easing pressure on families, and ensuring that lack of paperwork is no longer a barrier to learning.

Case support home visits are now often conducted alongside Child Protection Committee members and Village Heads, who identify community members without birth certificates and reach out to Trinity Project for support. This demonstrates a positive shift, with communities taking an active role in helping each other secure national documentation and supporting one another in accessing essential services.

Thanks to you all - and happy new year.

Links:

• ZET Website
• ZET Instagram
• Trinity Project Twitter