Bangladesh

Impact of the universal birth registration campaign

Before the universal birth registration campaign was launched in 2005

According to a government report, only 10% of the population were registered when the campaign began – five million people.

Following the campaign

Government figures now show that 51% of the population are registered – 75 million people. A Plan report indicates that 49,500 under-fives from excluded groups are now registered.

Government policy and practice on birth registration

The Birth and Death Registration Act was amended in December 2004 and enacted from July 2006. This consolidated four rules into a single rule, and introduced free registration for children below 18, and a nominal fee for over 18s, valid until July 2010. Birth certificates were made mandatory in 16 services.

Outcomes of the universal birth rights campaign

The birth registration process has been simplified, and NGOs are participating in birth registration for the populations where they work. The system has been decentralised to local government, which has been given the capacity and made responsible for using resources and conducting awareness-raising. A computerised birth registration system has been introduced, and local government staff have been trained to use it effectively.

Policy and legislation changes

Plan lobbied to get the new law and provided input in drafting it.

Government capacity and practice

The Ministry of Local Government organised training for local government institutions, which now register births at the local level.

Monitoring and ensuring the implementation of policy and legislation related to UBR

There are quarterly meeting at local government offices to coordinate and monitor activities. Reports are prepared and sent to the ministry, and the government publishes quarterly consolidated reports.

Partnerships, coordination, cooperation, alliances and coalitions

Plan has worked with UNICEF and the government. The government involved NGOs in implementing the birth registration process. Plan Bangladesh works in partnership with 20 NGOs for the birth registration of street children in the capital, Dhaka.

Community awareness

Communities across the country are aware of birth registration, including 100% of those in Plan programme areas and 82% of people in tribal areas.

Ownership and sustainability (Have the duty-bearers, the state, taken responsibility? How have rights-holders, communities, and civil society been involved to ensure sustainability?)

The state has linked birth registration law to 16 essential services, and distributed 106 million application forms, 110 million certificates and 38,000 register books to local government.

The integration of the issue of birth registration with other programmes, such as maternal health

Health, family planning and education programmes are integrated with birth registration.

Registering the most marginalised and hard to reach communities (ethnic minorities, nomadic groups, orphans, street children, migrants and refugees etc)

Plan and UNICEF are continuing to work on birth registration of street children, brothel children and tribal people.

Tackling the related issues of migration, nationality and statelessness

No focused activity in this area, as Plan Bangladesh is targeting all in general.

Linking birth registration to other children’s rights, such as increased access to health, education, inheritance rights and protection from trafficking, child labour etc.

The following areas are linked with birth registration, and a birth certificate is required to access them, although not all are fully functioning:

passport issue;
marriage registration;
admission to educational institutions;
government and non-government recruitment;
driving license
voter enrollment;
land registration;
opening a bank account;
getting export-imports license;
getting utility services - water, electricity, telephone and gas;
tax ID number;
trade license;
approval for building construction design;
vehicle registration;
contractor license;
national ID card.

Involving children in the UBR campaign

Children's organisations in Plan working areas participate in national and local events organised by government.

Good practice

Mobilisation of local stakeholders – this approach in two districts (Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari) helped to achieved 100 % birth registration.
NGO mobilisation - 20 NGOs were mobilised, data on 49,500 street children were collected and 28,000 certificates issued to them.

Challenges, gaps and barriers

Lack of integration between different sectors.
Awareness of UBR among the general public - people do not come for registration voluntarily.
The government took time to set UBR as a priority.
Lack of funds for computers, trained personnel and logistics materials.

National level recommendations

We are lobbying for awareness-building, the availability of resources – such as application forms, certificates and computers and birth registration information system software - and training.

Future activities

Pursuing a low-cost and sustainable birth registration system.
Campaigning for the birth registration information system and related training.
Targeting birth registration for vulnerable children.

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