In the Pacific region, an estimated one million children are without official identity documents, significantly affecting their access to essential services like education and healthcare. Experts warn that the absence of birth registration not only impacts individual lives but also has broader implications for community and national planning.
Jeff Montgomery, Programme Lead for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics at the Pacific Community (SPC), highlights the critical nature of birth certificates. He explains that without this essential document, children cannot access fundamental rights, including education and healthcare, and may struggle to participate fully in their society later in life. In countries like Kiribati, the birth registration rate stands impressively at 90%, while it is only 17% in Vanuatu and below that in Papua New Guinea.
Montgomery indicates that there are several barriers to registration, such as the logistical challenges of getting to registration offices, the understaffing of those offices, and sometimes even the costs associated with obtaining a birth certificate. The repercussions of under-registration extend beyond individual needs and affect governmental capacity to plan infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. Montgomery uses Papua New Guinea as an example, noting that without accurate population statistics, the government struggles to understand the needs of its citizens, ultimately complicating resource distribution and planning.
The importance of death registration is also emphasized, as it is vital for accurate population data and for planning responses to health crises. Data-sharing among countries in the Pacific is becoming increasingly crucial, particularly as migration patterns shift due to economic and climatic factors.
Governments across Asia and the Pacific have pledged to ensure all births and deaths are registered by 2030. Efforts are being made, such as implementing digital systems to streamline registration processes and improve data accuracy.
In Fiji, local efforts are underway to address challenges similar to those faced by the broader region. Justice Minister Siromi Turaga has committed to achieving a 100% registration rate within the next two years. Proactive community outreach programs are being conducted to enhance awareness and facilitate birth registrations, especially in rural areas where registration services are often difficult to access.
This regional commitment and cooperative efforts between various countries underscore a hopeful outlook for improving civil registration and ensuring that every child can claim their legal identity and rights, ultimately contributing to sustainable development across the Pacific.
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