The Starting Point in Life: Towards inclusive birth registration in Nepal

Abstract

Executive summary

Research framework

Recent progress in the global development agenda manifests a shift from neo-liberal approach towards more socially and culturally sensitive and more complex approaches. One of the most important is the Rights-based approach to development which sets the achievement of human rights as an objective of development. This approach focuses on well-being achieved through access to human rights and services provided by governments and other institutions. The past has proven that economic growth should be accompanied by equity and social inclusion. Since social exclusion is still a problem in both developed and developing countries it has become one of the major international concerns. It is necessary to increase agency and social capital of excluded groups of population, to support participation and sustainability as well as decrease dependency and inequality in any form. One of the major issues that the excluded people deal with is lack of recognition. The first step on a path leading to their recognition is their registration. Registration provides people with identity and legal personality to face governments, authorities and institutions they have to deal with during their lives. Registration is meant as a protection and increases linkages to rights and services people are entitled to. Birth registration is an important and yet omitted topic in the global development agenda. In academic circles only very few major studies have been produced. As studies show, the functioning registration system might be a major tool of development, not a goal of development. The agenda for birth registration has been adopted in the environment of international non-governmental organizations. Unicef together with Plan are two leading agencies and since 2005 they cooperate on Universal Birth Registration Campaign in 48 countries where birth registration rates are low.

Research context

One of the countries where majority of children are not registered according to official statistics is Nepal. Nepal is currently one of the poorest and yet one of the fastest developing countries in the world. After the end of civil war the country is facing major challenges such as finalizing constitution and implementing it, finishing the peace process, or stepping out of the vicious circle of caste system. All development tasks are even more difficult considering incredible diversity of Nepalese people and the geography of the country. Poverty is still widespread in Nepal and some groups of population are excluded from political, social and economical participation in their society. Their exclusion is based on caste, ethnicity or religion and is deeply rooted in history and tradition. The first step in their struggle for inclusion and participation is their recognition and registration. Birth registration is a crucial part of the process. Badi, Muslim and Tharu communities are among the most vulnerable groups of population in Nepal and prior to this study it was expected that these excluded communities would be excluded from the birth registration process as well. Therefore it was vital to design the research in order to asses the awareness on birth registration procedure, practice and registration in families, and influence of the birth registration on well-being. The research has also focused on patterns of communication and levels of trust inside families and communities. Media access was assessed in order to promote the best way of awareness raising in excluded communities. Last part of the study focuses on the delivery side of the birth registration system evaluating recent progress and mapping current challenges.

Main research findings

After combining the collected data, using both quantitative and qualitative methods, most of the revealed results are contrary to the research hypothesis. Awareness about birth registration in Badi, Muslim and Tharu communities is very high and the practice is established. The understanding of the procedure is clear and it is considered beneficial to register children and provide them with the Birth Certificate. Unfortunately in majority of cases children are registered late, mostly when the Birth Certificate is required by specific institution – especially for school enrolment and to obtain citizenship. The responsibility for registering is given to the male head of the household of the family. No obstructions have been found in terms of infrastructure, finance and time. People confirm that they are able to come to respective authorities, spend the necessary time to register their children and eventually pay the fine for late registration. Only very limited signs of corruption on the side of authorities were found. In terms of impacts on lives this research brings positive results. Majority of participants agree that birth registration has improved their life or lives of their children as it has increased not only their access to other rights and services, but also improved the protection of their identity. Out of 493 children in the participant households, 106 were without birth registration – this is slightly less than one quarter (21,5%). Households have established contact with authorities (Village Development Committees) and these serve also as an important source of information. In terms of access to media the most common is radio (77%), mobile phone (62%), and TV (57%). The levels of trust were found to be location-specific. In some communities leaders are highly appreciated while in others considered corrupted. In families the highest level of trust is assigned to the male head of the household. In general the birth registration was found to be highly inclusive and serving excluded communities as well. No obstruction was discovered in families, community, authorities or in caste. Nevertheless participants expressed very intensive exclusion from the Nepalese society. The research proves that the demand side of the service manifests satisfactory progress. The delivery side is not progressing accordingly. Registration and birth registration in Nepal is still not prioritized. Ministry of Local Development, District Development Committees and Village Development Committees are not properly linked and are not fully using the data for planning. Both Village and District Development Committees are struggling with overload of work, lack of resources and outdated record-keeping system. Some VDC secretaries are displaced because of violent threats.

Research conclusions

The study proves that awareness about birth registration is high and the practice is established. It is now vital to convince people for timely registration and promote the sustainability of the tradition of registration in families. The focus in future should be shifted from awareness raising to improving the delivery system in order to achieve universal birth registration. Especially computerization of the Vital Events Registration System accompanied by adequate training is crucial and will also improve use of the data for planning. In terms of law amendments, incentive for early registration instead of fine for late registration should be promoted.