The Ministry of Health, through its Bureau of Vital Statistics, marked African Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day with a significant initiative aimed at enhancing legal identity and ensuring that every Liberian is accounted for.
Under the theme “Strengthening the Linkage of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics to Legal Identity Systems through Digitization for Enhanced Inclusion,” the ministry rolled out free birth and death certificates, underscoring the critical role of civil registration in national development.
African CRVS Day, observed across the continent, serves as a reminder of the importance of civil registration systems in guaranteeing that every individual is recognized from birth.
This year’s celebration in Liberia highlighted the ministry’s commitment to raising awareness about the necessity of accurate and accessible civil registration. Such systems are vital for legal identity, access to social services, and the production of vital statistics that contribute to informed policy-making and governance.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai Sr., Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Coordinator Mr. Augustine L. Samah read the proclamation declaring CRVS Day a working holiday across Liberia.
The proclamation reflects the government’s strong stance on promoting effective governance, safeguarding individual rights, ensuring efficient service delivery, reducing fraud, and facilitating international recognition of civil registration documents.
In his address, Dr. Anthony L. Fortune, Assistant Minister for Vital Statistics, emphasized the importance of the CRVS initiative in Liberia. He noted that the event’s theme aligns with the broader goals of CRVS Day, which advocates for robust and inclusive civil registration systems that leave no one behind, particularly in ensuring legal identity and access to essential services.
“Thousands of Liberians live without the rights, protections, and benefits that come with having a legal identity,” Dr. Fortune remarked. “Many die without any formal recognition of their existence. This initiative is a crucial step in addressing that gap.”
Dr. Fortune urged all citizens to take advantage of the free birth registration services, stressing that obtaining a birth certificate is a fundamental right that grants individuals access to legal protections and social services.
He highlighted the transformative impact that proper civil registration can have on individuals’ lives, especially in terms of ensuring their rights are upheld and their existence officially recognized.
The event also saw significant input from international partners. UNICEF Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Mr. Ahmad Shahvez highlighted the vital role of global partnerships in advancing Liberia’s CRVS systems.
He acknowledged the support from the governments of Sweden, France, and Japan, which has been instrumental in improving birth registration rates across the country.
“Since 2007, Liberia has made significant strides in birth registration,” Mr. Shahvez noted. “Under-five registration rates have increased from 4% in 2007 to 25% in 2013, and to an impressive 66% in 2020. These gains have been achieved through strategies focused on decentralization, digitalization, and interoperability, supported by UNICEF and its partners.”
The celebration of Liberia’s CRVS Day was attended by representatives from various international organizations, including the World Bank, as well as officials from the Ministry of Justice, the National Identification Registry, and local leaders. The presence of these stakeholders underscored the collaborative efforts needed to strengthen Liberia’s civil registration system.
The day’s events concluded with cultural performances, including drama and dance by children from different communities in Grand Bassa County, symbolizing the importance of civil registration in ensuring that every child’s existence is recognized and valued.
As Liberia continues to advance efforts in building it’s CRVS systems, the Ministry of Health’s initiative to provide free birth and death certificates marks a significant step towards achieving universal civil registration.
The move not only strengthens the legal identity system but also promotes greater inclusion and access to essential services for all Liberians.
