The Mystery Of Birth Certificates In Afghanistan: Unraveling The Unknown

Birth certificates are rare in Afghanistan, and the process of issuing them is not yet standardised across the country. While they are required by law, decades of conflict and limited government resources have resulted in a poorly functioning birth registration system. In rural areas, birth records are not considered necessary, and villagers do not typically give the name of a woman to a man, so the mother's name is often omitted from the birth certificate. However, in 2020, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed an amendment allowing mothers' names to be included on birth certificates, a significant milestone for women's rights.

Mothers' names on birth certificates

In Afghanistan, birth certificates are rare. In 2020, the Afghan government accepted a proposal to include mothers' names on their children's birth certificates, marking a significant milestone for women's rights. This was the result of a three-year campaign by women's rights activists who fought for women to be named on official documents, using the hashtag #WhereIsMyName.

In Afghanistan, a woman's name is often absent from important documents, such as her wedding invitation and even her gravestone. This is due to the country's conservative and patriarchal Muslim culture, where some consider the use of a woman's name to be offensive. Traditionally, women are referred to by the names of their closest male relatives.

The proposal to include mothers' names on birth certificates was drafted by Naheed Farid, an independent lawmaker who chairs the parliamentary commission on women's affairs. The cabinet's legal affairs committee, headed by Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danish, agreed to the proposal, stating:

> "The decision to include the mother's name in the ID card is a big step towards gender equality and the realization of women's rights."

However, the amendment still needs to be approved by the country's male-dominated parliament and then signed off by the president.

While this proposal represents a significant step forward for women's rights in Afghanistan, it has faced opposition from conservative leaders, including the Taliban. Despite this, it is a powerful symbol of the recognition of women's identities and a step towards gender equality in the country.

Registration process

Birth registration in Afghanistan is a vital step in providing a child with a birth certificate, which is a basic human right. However, due to decades of conflict and limited government resources, the birth registration system in the country is poorly functioning. Here is a detailed overview of the birth registration process in Afghanistan:

Step 1: Birth Registration

In Afghanistan, birth registration should ideally take place within three months of a child's birth. The process varies depending on whether the birth occurred at a health centre or at home. For births that take place in hospitals, the registration is done by the health centres themselves, which serve as birth registration assistant registrars. The parents must present their national ID cards (Tazkeras) to the appropriate staff at the clinic or hospital.

For home births, the General Directorate of Civil Registration (GDCR) can authorise village heads and religious leaders to perform birth registrar duties and issue registration certificates. The Expanded Programme on Immunisation also covers home births through fixed centres that have agreed to act as assistant registrars. Additionally, the GDCR officially appoints religious leaders in mosques as assistant registrars for home births.

Step 2: Choosing a Name

Traditionally, Afghan families choose a name for the newborn in a ceremony attended by relatives and close friends of the parents. This means that a birth certificate cannot be issued immediately after birth if the child is born in a health facility, as the name field in the registration form remains blank. The health facility can either keep the document until the family chooses a name and returns to complete the registration or hand over the form with the blank name field.

Step 3: Registration Completion

After the naming ceremony, the newborn's family completes the registration process by taking the form to the local GDCR office for final approval and sign-off. This step involves submitting the registration form, along with the required documents, to the relevant civil registration office. The necessary documents include a copy of the ID card and four photos with a white background. If the applicant is a minor, a parent or relative must register the application on their behalf.

Step 4: Payment and Receipt

At the civil registration office, the applicant will go through the required steps and pay the registration fee, which is 500 AFN for adults and 200 AFN for minors. After submitting the relevant documents and the request form, the applicant will receive a receipt with a return date.

Step 5: Receiving the Birth Certificate

On the specified return date, the applicant can visit the birth certificate distribution department of the Civil Registration Office and present the receipt to receive the birth certificate. The birth certificate is issued in three languages: Pashto, Dari, and English. It is essential to obtain the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to use the birth certificate outside of Afghanistan.

Additional Information:

It is important to note that birth registration and obtaining a birth certificate are two separate processes. Birth registration can be done at hospitals, but the application for a birth certificate must be made at the registration offices.

Birth certificates are rare in Afghanistan, and the process of issuing them is not yet standardised across the country. Obtaining a birth certificate is crucial for accessing basic rights and services such as health, education, obtaining a passport, and other identity documents.

Furthermore, the inclusion of mothers' names on birth certificates is a recent development in Afghanistan, marking a significant milestone for women's rights in the country.

Required documents

Birth certificates are rare in Afghanistan, and the process of issuing them is not yet standardised across the country. However, birth registration is a basic human right and is required by law.

To apply for a birth certificate, you must provide the following documents:

• A completed birth certificate application form, which can be downloaded from the Afghan Consulate General website.
• A hospital birth certificate, translated and confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If such a document is not available, a notarised statement with the following information is required: birth name, place of birth, date of birth, and name of father and mother.
• Your original, valid Afghan passport or translated and confirmed Taskera from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Afghanistan.
• Copies of your driver's license or identification card (front and back).
• Two passport-sized photos.
• Copies of the parents' identification documents (Taskera or passport).

If you are applying by post, you must enclose at least one of the specified documents in their original form. If you do not have any of the specified documents, you must apply in person and enclose identity guarantee forms from two guarantors.

Citizens abroad can apply for a birth certificate at embassies and consulates.

Importance of birth certificates

Birth certificates are an important form of identification and are often one of the first legal documents a person acquires. They are issued by governments to record the birth of a child and are used for vital statistics, tax, military, and census purposes. Here are some reasons why birth certificates are important:

Proof of Identity and Citizenship

Birth certificates provide legal proof of a person's identity and citizenship. They are often required to obtain a passport, driver's license, social security number, or national ID card. Without a birth certificate, individuals may face difficulties when trying to access certain rights and services.

Access to Education

In many countries, a birth certificate is necessary for enrolling in schools. It helps schools verify a child's age and identity, ensuring they meet the requirements for admission.

Access to Healthcare

Birth certificates are also important for accessing healthcare services. They help individuals obtain routine vaccines, medical treatments, and insurance benefits. In some cases, a birth certificate may be required to apply for government or private health benefits.

Protection from Child Labour, Trafficking, and Child Marriage

Birth certificates play a crucial role in protecting children from exploitation and abuse. They help verify a child's age, making it more difficult for them to be forced into child labour or early marriage. Additionally, birth certificates can assist in preventing child trafficking by establishing a child's identity and family ties.

Facilitating Travel and Migration

When individuals need to travel or migrate, birth certificates can be essential. They may be required to obtain a passport or visa, proving one's identity and citizenship when crossing international borders.

Access to Employment

In many countries, a birth certificate is necessary for gaining employment. Employers may require proof of identity and age before offering a job. A birth certificate helps ensure that individuals have the right to work and are of legal working age.

Obtaining Official Documents

Birth certificates are often a prerequisite for obtaining other important documents. For example, in some countries, a birth certificate is needed to apply for a driver's license, marriage license, or even a death certificate.

Planning and Policy-Making

Governments use birth certificate data to make informed decisions about resource allocation and policy development. This includes planning for education budgets, school construction, and immunisation programmes. By understanding birth rates and population growth, governments can better cater to the needs of their citizens.

In summary, birth certificates are a fundamental human right and play a crucial role in establishing a person's identity, citizenship, and age. They are essential for accessing various rights, services, and opportunities throughout life.

History of birth certificates in Afghanistan

Birth certificates are rare in Afghanistan. Decades of conflict and limited government resources have left the country with a poorly functioning birth registration system. While birth registration is a basic human right, only 42% of children under five have a birth certificate.

In rural areas, birth records were historically not considered necessary, as a witness could provide the information if required. Villagers also did not like to give the name of a woman to a man, so the name of the mother was generally not recorded in birth records, which were usually created by men.

Since 2004, babies born in 15 refugee camps on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have been issued birth certificates by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In 2016, a joint effort by the Ministries of Interior and Public Health aimed to improve birth registration by providing registration services in healthcare facilities to ensure every child receives a birth certificate at birth.

In 2020, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed an amendment allowing mothers' names to be included on birth certificates, a significant milestone for women's rights in the country.

Frequently asked questions