Obtaining a birth certificate: the first step to realizing children’s rights

In Yemen, a child who does not have a birth certificate cannot enroll in school and access their right to an education. Later in life, not having a birth certificate will also create a lot of administrative issues. This is why UNICEF has organized two birth registration campaigns, in particular in areas where communities have been displaced and may have lost their original certificates. UNICEF also educates children and parents on the importance of such a document during their whole life.  

In 2022, UNICEF has conducted two birth registration campaigns in sixteen governorates, providing 54,784 children and adults with an official proof of who they are.   

Mohamed No'oman, 29, is a Field Assistant of the programme. He’s handing out a birth certificate to a displaced girl living in a displacement camp. Most children in Marib do not have a birth certificate. Some of them lost their document because they have been displaced more than once, and some were unable to obtain a new one. 

Implementing partners on the ground work closely with UNICEF and the local authorities to issue certificates for displaced communities. 

Zabn, 11 years old, has received his birth certificate. His last certificate was burned in his previous house before he and his family had to leave.  

“My birth certificate was burnt in our house, which was hit by a missile. We didn't get back home since that day. And after we were displaced, the school did not accept me, they asked for my birth certificate, and I did not have one," he explains. Now that he has a new birth certificate, Zabn will be able to resume his education.  

Ghania, 4 years old, received her birth certificate during the launch of the field campaign aiming to issue birth certificates for the governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Al Dhale'e, Al Mukalla, Sayun.  

Munir Ali Qasim is signing the form to obtain a birth certificate for his son, Mohammed, at the local council office in Al-Buraiqeh, in Aden governorate. In the background, Adnan Ahmed Hassan, a staff member at the local council office in Al-Buraiqeh, smiles. Parents and staff are aware of the importance of families obtaining the certificate. Both Munir and Adnan are pleased of their achievement. 

Samar is eight years old, and she finally received the document that will allow her to go back to school in Marib governorate. She and her family have been displaced and she had to drop out of school because she could not give a proof of her age. She’s now looking forward to resuming her learning journey!