News / National
Registration of birth certificates should be easily accessible - MP
28 Jul 2016 at 07:03hrs | Views
Bulawayo Central MP Dorcas Sibanda has called for the government to ensure that children have easy access to the birth certificates indicating that at the moment it appears to be a challenge for them.
Speaking in parliament Sibanda said a birth certificate is an important document which shows an individual's name, where they come from, where they were born and who their parents are.
"This document is also required when someone is writing important examinations like Grade Seven, Zimbabwe Junior Certificate (ZJC). 'O' Level examination or when someone is being enrolled in school. It is also a requirement when someone has to acquire a National Registration Certificate and when they need to obtain a passport or any other document," she said.
"Zimbabwe is a signatory to the United Nations Convention of Rights of Children and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children. These rights protect children from problems that infringe upon their proper growth and development. In the African Charter, the rights and welfare of children emphasise the right for children to be registered at birth."
She said it is the right of children to be registered at birth as it is provided in Article 6 of the new Constitution as follows; Article 6 (1) "Every child shall have the right from birth to a name" Article 6 (2) "Every child shall be registered immediately after birth. Article 6 (3) "Every child has the right to acquire a nationality."
She said section 81 of the new Constitution of Zimbabwe adequately covers the rights and these include inter alia; the right to a name; and the right to a prompt provision of a birth certificate.
"It clearly states that when children are born, they are issued a birth record within a specific time frame to acquire a birth certificate. Without identity, the process of claiming one's legal rights is excessively difficult. Everyone needs a record and the birth certificate. In Section 35(d) of the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Councils (ZIMSEC) Act, [Chapter 25:18], it is a requirement that every child who is enrolled in any school needs that birth certificate," she said.
Speaking in parliament Sibanda said a birth certificate is an important document which shows an individual's name, where they come from, where they were born and who their parents are.
"This document is also required when someone is writing important examinations like Grade Seven, Zimbabwe Junior Certificate (ZJC). 'O' Level examination or when someone is being enrolled in school. It is also a requirement when someone has to acquire a National Registration Certificate and when they need to obtain a passport or any other document," she said.
"Zimbabwe is a signatory to the United Nations Convention of Rights of Children and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children. These rights protect children from problems that infringe upon their proper growth and development. In the African Charter, the rights and welfare of children emphasise the right for children to be registered at birth."
She said it is the right of children to be registered at birth as it is provided in Article 6 of the new Constitution as follows; Article 6 (1) "Every child shall have the right from birth to a name" Article 6 (2) "Every child shall be registered immediately after birth. Article 6 (3) "Every child has the right to acquire a nationality."
She said section 81 of the new Constitution of Zimbabwe adequately covers the rights and these include inter alia; the right to a name; and the right to a prompt provision of a birth certificate.
"It clearly states that when children are born, they are issued a birth record within a specific time frame to acquire a birth certificate. Without identity, the process of claiming one's legal rights is excessively difficult. Everyone needs a record and the birth certificate. In Section 35(d) of the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Councils (ZIMSEC) Act, [Chapter 25:18], it is a requirement that every child who is enrolled in any school needs that birth certificate," she said.
Source - Byo24News
