They are reborn a second time thanks to birth certificates

A mobile court hearing related to supplementary judgment concerning a birth record was organized in Fénérive Est, district capital of Analanjirofo, as part of the Day of the African Child. Hundreds of people, including mothers with their children, came that day hoping to receive their identity for the first time.

Among them, Fanomezantsoa Honorette, who, for the first time, marvelled at seeing her name written on white paper. At 13 years old, her identity is now officially recognized by law.

“She was able to go to school even without a birth certificate, but now that she is going to take her first official exam, the possession of this document is a sine qua non requirement for taking this exam,” explains her mother, Kalo Viviana Honorette. This document will change the whole life of Honorette who dreams to become a doctor.

Like her, Nadia, 7 years old, was included in the list drawn up by the Commune for the regularization of a birth certificate. Her mother Laurence did not want to miss this unique moment for her daughter. “I did not give birth in basic health centres and I was unable to obtain his civil status as I did not have the necessary resources or the means to do so at the time,” said the single mother.

According to the President of the Court of First Instance of Fénérive Est, the reasons given by the families relating to the non-possession of a birth certificate are numerous. Among other things, ignorance of the law and the right, so they resign themselves to the lack of knowledge.

As reported by the President, many children are admitted to school even without a birth certificate. But the dropout rate increases when children enter an exam class because this document is required for official exams. To make up for this delay, community mobilization was carried out in schools in the region to inform parents about the organization of a mobile court hearing. “In three days, we were able to make 7,000 supplementary judgments concerning birth records. This is enormous despite the efforts already undertaken previously,” says Bernako Minerva, President of the Court of First Instance. For information, 31% of children under 5 do not have a birth certificate in the region of Analanjirofo.

In order to continue this positive momentum of birth regularization and to contribute to the promotion of the right to life and identity, UNICEF supported the Child Protection Network of Analanjirofo Region in organizing the mobile court hearings for the supplementary judgments regarding birth records. 3,000 unregistered children will benefit from their birth certificate, allowing them to have an official existence and enjoy their full rights: schooling, citizenship and voting, inheritance ...

Many mothers came that day, including single mothers. For children with single mothers or those having the same mother but different fathers, on their birth certificates, the fathers are declared unknown.