Registering more children in Cameroon

Plan has launched the second phase of its birth registration campaign in Cameroon to provide more children with birth certificates. The campaign will be carried out in ten councils of the East region to reach all the children in 60 primary schools by April 2011.

Birth registration is still very low

With less than 30 % of births registered, Cameroon faces a real problem of not fulfilling every child’s right to a name and nationality. The situation is worse in rural areas, particularly in the Northern and Eastern part of Cameroon where 9 out of 10 children are not registered. Failure to register children complicates their access to school and health facilities. In 2009, more than 60% of children sent to school in the Eastern region did not have a birth certificate and therefore could not sit for public exams. In Cameroon birth registration is low due to a general lack of awareness, a centralised process and the mismanagement of civil registration centres where a simple registration process can be extended beyond 30 days.

Plan in action

The Universal Birth Registration campaign has been developed to give children an official identity and easier access to basic services, in particular education and healthcare. Registered children are less vulnerable to abuse, child labour, child marriage, and child trafficking. “Most births in rural areas take place at home. Birth certificates are issued only in the hospitals and the procedure is long. The campaign will facilitate the registration process by collecting data in order to develop a consolidated strategy. This strategy will ensure the sustainability of delivering birth certificates at the council leave and create more centres to speed up the procedure” said Denis Tchounkeu, Plan Program Manager.

In 2009, Plan helped 8,000 children receive their birth certificates. During the campaign this year, Plan intends to distribute 10,000 birth certificates. Plan is collaborating with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the heads of civil status centre, municipal councillors, mayors, district health officers and representatives of local NGOs to increase the impact and reach of the information.

Local media and radio programmes under the theme “Changing habits: and ensuring effective birth registration for all children” raise public awareness and encourage children to participate in quizzes and win prizes.