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August
e-newsletter Download
this document Birth registration is the key A child aged 14 years was brought to the organisation from Chiedza Child Care after they had unsuccessfully tried to obtain a birth certificate for her. The child is currently staying with her paternal aunt who is now aged 25 years and her uncle. Both the child's parents' whereabouts are unknown. The mother of the child is said to have dumped the child who was three years old at the time and her young sister at the father's residence. The father of the child then left the residence and no one knows where he went. It is not known whether the parents are alive or not. The children remained with their paternal grandfather and his children who were minors at the time. The paternal grandfather then passed on in 2009 leaving the children to stay with their aunt and uncle who were minors at the time. The child was born at Harare Hospital on the 10th of August 1995. The child has been selected to play for the national team in softball and is one of the best left hand pitchers. She had challenges in getting a birth certificate so that she could acquire a passport as they were going to play in South Africa in October 2011. Chiedza Child Care had tried to register the child but had reached a brick wall. They highlighted that the Registrar's Office indicated that they should locate where the parents are. They then visited the organisation together with the child. JCT then proceeded to the Registrar's office and highlighted the need for the child to be registered as she would miss the opportunity of a lifetime. The birth certificates for the parents were pulled out from the Registrar's office. The child together with her young sister were registered. The children's right to birth registration was fulfilled opening doors to the enjoyment of other rights such as the right to freedom of movement. Chiedza Child Care is in the process of processing the passport for the child. It is possible for children whose parents' whereabouts are unknown to acquire birth certificates if there is proof to satisfy the Registrar's office. Most children are failing to register children after their parent's whereabouts are not known. Relatives should therefore be encouraged to approach the Registrar General's Office for assistance. The Registrar General's office should also continue to exercise its discretion in a manner that promotes the rights of children. Visit the Justice for Children Trust fact sheet
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