The Ministry of Justice is facing challenges with the adoption of its mobile birth registration application. Despite the initiative being introduced to simplify the birth registration process, the ministry reports receiving only about two applications per month via the online platform. Collin Yabaki, the director of corporate services, addressed these concerns during discussions with the Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights regarding the ministry’s annual reports covering 2019-2022.
Yabaki noted that while the application has made significant strides in facilitating birth registrations for parents in urban and semi-urban regions, there are pronounced difficulties in rural and maritime areas. These include issues like limited internet connectivity and geographical isolation. To address these challenges, awareness teams are being deployed to remote areas to ensure that everyone can benefit from the service, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to inclusivity.
A key obstacle in promoting the mobile application is the lack of awareness among citizens in these remote locations, some of whom reside overseas. Yabaki highlighted that registering births through the app is free, and the first birth certificate is also issued at no charge, encouraging parents to utilize this convenient option to prevent delays.
To further enhance accessibility, the ministry is considering outreach efforts to demonstrate how to use the application in underrepresented communities.
This initiative illustrates a proactive approach to improving public services, and with continued efforts to raise awareness and provide education, there is hope that mobile birth registration will ultimately become a more common practice, benefiting families across all regions.
In summary, while challenges remain in the adoption of the mobile birth registration application, targeted efforts to engage and educate communities can lead to increased usage and ensure that every child is registered, reinforcing the importance of recognizing every individual’s right to identity from birth.
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