The United Nation Children Fund (Unicef) has stressed the importance of child birth registration, describing it as a “ticket to citizenship”. It also “ensures that a child is accounted for in national statistics which helps in ensuring their education and health, among others”.

According to a press release, issued by Unicef Banjul Office yesterday, the organisation said that since the integration of birth registration into the Child Health Services (RCH), in The Gambia in 2004, birth registration of children under five years has surged by 74 percent. Birth registration in the Upper River Region rose from 6.2% in 2000 to 39.4% in 2006.

A vast number of children the release indicated, still lack the fundamental protection that birth registration offers. To that effect, Unicef and the Birth Registration Service are taking steps forward to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals, so that  all children can be accounted for; and in turn be given the essential services needed for a healthy and fulfilling childhood.

National Statistics

The release stated that 55% of children under the age of five in The Gambia have their births registered. But the exercise, according to the release, is the lowest in the Upper River Region as 39.4% of children under five have their births registered, while three out of every five children under the age of five in the Upper River Region are still without proof of birth.

Registration Centres

According to the release, with the integration of the Birth Registration Services and Reproductive and Child Health Services, children under five years of age can be registered at all major hospitals, health centres and RCH treking stations at a fee of D2.50 to D12.50, depending on the child’s age.

Importance and Benefits

The Gambia being a signatory to the UN Convention of the Right of the Child has enacted the Children’s Act in 2005, which recognises child’s inalienable rights as a human being. ”Birth registration is critical to the child and all duty bearers and is critical to the functioning of every nation. It provides a child with proof of age, without that a child is especially vulnerable to all forms of exploitation.

When a child’s birth is registered, that child is least likely to be abused and exploited, through child-trafficking, child labour, premature enlisting in the army and sexual exploitation. When a child is registered at birth, he or she is most likely to receive life-saving immunisations and vitamin A supplementations and enroll in school on time. Birth registration helps to ensure a good start in life,” the release concluded.