The Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, urged parents to ensure that their children are registered at the Births, Deaths, and Marriages (BDM) Registry before the upcoming school year begins. During a recent visit to Bua, where he launched BDM services at various Post Fiji Shops in Kubulau, Wainunu, Lekutu, and Nabouwalu, Turaga emphasized the importance of official registration.
“Every child is born into a family, and it is the parent’s responsibility to register them,” he stated. He noted that the ministry’s decision to decentralize services was aimed at making the registration process more accessible to the community.
Turaga pointed out that many children remain unregistered due to parental negligence, lack of awareness, or financial constraints. By facilitating these services directly in communities, the government hopes to encourage more families to register their children.
He explained that registering children is crucial for effective policy-making. Accurate demographic data, including age and population size, allows the government to plan better for the needs of its citizens. Now that BDM services are available locally, families in Bua no longer need to travel to Savusavu or Labasa for registration.
This initiative represents a positive step towards improving access to vital services and enhancing community awareness about the importance of child registration. It underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child is recognized, which can significantly aid in their future planning and development.
In summary, the call to action from Minister Turaga serves not only to increase child registration but also to empower families and communities by simplifying access to essential services. The decentralization of BDM services reflects a proactive approach to fostering social responsibility among parents and ensuring every child has a recognized identity.
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