Sudan
Government policy and practice on birth registration
The war in southern Sudan has affected the socioeconomic and cultural aspects of all areas of development. However, the government of southern Sudan has recently launched its Child Act, which addresses child protection and child rights. This clearly indicates the right of the child to free birth registration. However, implementation is not yet effective, probably because the Act has not been disseminated to all citizens, particularly at the grassroots.
Outcomes
Plan Southern Sudan is a new programme that started in 2006. UBR was an issue of violation of children's rights that was covered in our CSP. Although this has not been approved, we have started to advocate and work in partnership with the national government to improve UBR in the country.
Challenges, gaps and barriers
- Our CSP is awaiting approval in order to implement programmes at programme unit level.
- Community and parents ignorance about the importance of UBR.
- High level of poverty among the community.
- Geographical coverage - some areas and communities are hard to reach.
- Poor communication, hindering access to information.
National level recommendations
- Lobby and advocate government policy on reducing the cost of birth registration.
- Create community awareness about birth registration.
- Empower children to know and claim their rights.
Although waiting for approval of our CSP, the Plan Southern Sudan programme has started to build the capacity of community health workers), TBAs, community organisations, village health committees and children on the importance of birth registration.
Future activities
- Strengthen children's participation in the UBR campaign through the media.
- Strengthen civil society institutions, such as community organisations, VHCs and women groups, to take over responsibilities on UBR.
- To link these community institutions with the government to follow-up and facilitate UBR at community level.
