Background note on sex discrimination in birth registration
Under the auspices of the IBELONG Coalition on Every Child’s Right to a Nationality, UNICEF and UNHCR have jointly prepared this note which explores the issue of sex discrimination in birth registration. The note recalls the fundamental right of every human being – without discrimination on the basis of gender as established by international standards – to be registered at birth in order to access all other human rights and to have a legal identity. It outlines the various legal, cultural and practical barriers in different countries that prevent many women from registering their children at birth and also discusses the difficulties of registering the children of same-sex couples who have undergone medically assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Lastly, the note shares promising practices and encouraging developments that have taken place in various African countries as well as in Nepal and Afghanistan.
CHIP welcomes this valuable work by UNICEF and UNHCR to advance the child’s right to identity and to remove the barriers still present in many countries that prevent many women from registering their children at birth. CHIP looks forward to supporting States and other relevant stakeholders in such efforts.
