Birth Registration Day today

National Birth Registration Day will be observed in the country today

The president, Zillur Rahman. and the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages on the eve of the day said the online birth registration as well as online certification had ensured easy access to the process, prompting general people to register their names and obtain birth certificates.

'Birth registration is very important to know the size of the population and provide services from the government accordingly, said Zillur Rahman adding that this year's theme 'Digital Birth Registration: Simplify My Life' was time worthy.

He expressed hope that the day would encourage more people to register their names and collect birth certificates from their respective local government bodies.

Sheikh Hasina said online birth registration had been introduced in 2010 and people were collecting their certificates from union parishads and other local government bodies. She also asked all ministries to help local government bodies do the job efficiently.

The government declared July 3 Birth Registration Day to highlight the importance of birth registration for every child and adult, with support from the UN children fund and Plan International, an international development agency working with and for children.

'Birth registration certificates will enhance our vigilance to stop child trafficking, child marriage and abuse of children,' said a senior policy maker of the government.

The UNICEF is especially focusing on vulnerable children such as those living on the streets, working children, children of sex workers, indigenous children and refugee children, as they are more likely to be missed out.

The near absence of birth certificates hitherto has often been cited for the proliferation of various forms of child abuse, exploitation, deprivation and child trafficking, say experts.

Source : New Age