ARSI UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ASSINGMENT
GROUP 5
Process of Civil Registration System in
Ethiopia
Group members
NAME ID NUMBER
1. RAHMA HABIB --------------------------------------------------------UGR/14479/15
2. SAMUEL YOSEF-------------------------------------------------------- UGR/14011/15
3. SEKINA MOHAMMED ------------------------------------------------UGR/14020/15
4. SINMONE GELANA----------------------------------------------------- UGR/14043/15
5. TEHA HUSSEN ----------------------------------------------------------UGR/14071/15
6. TAMIRAT WAYUMA---------------------------------------------------- UGR/14081/15
7. TEDY BIRHANU ---------------------------------------------------------UGR/14070/15
8. SALADIN JEMAL---------------------------------------------------------- UGR/14204/15
Project Work on the Process of Civil
Registration System in Ethiopia
Introduction
Civil registration is a vital process that records vital events in the life of
individuals, such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. In Ethiopia, a
robust civil registration system is crucial for effective governance, planning,
and the provision of services. This project work aims to explore the civil
registration system in Ethiopia, focusing on its definition, processes, benefits,
and challenges.
Background
The civil registration system in Ethiopia has undergone significant changes
over the years. Historically, civil registration was not prioritized, leading to a
lack of comprehensive data on the population. However, recognizing the
importance of accurate demographic data for development planning and
resource allocation, the Ethiopian government has made strides to improve
its civil registration system. The system is governed by various laws and
policies aimed at ensuring that all vital events are recorded systematically.
Project Goal
The primary goal of this project is to provide a comprehensive overview of
the civil registration system.
The strategy was focused on increasing uptake of vital events (birth,
marriage, divorce and death) registration and certification among refugees
and their host in Ethiopia.
Provide reliable, fair and secure resident services by establishing a modern
registration system to provide digital resident ID and other resident services
by registering city residents with modern technology.
Literature Review
Definition of Civil Registration System
Civil Registration System are the systems concerned with the legal
registration and analysis of vital Events in the population.Vital events include
births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages, divorces, annulments, Judicial
separations of marriage, legitimating, recognition and adoption Through the
registration process these events are made legal and legitimate Is the
universal, continuous, permanent, and Compulsory recording of the
occurrence and characteristics of vital evens Pertaining to the population, as
provided through decree or regulation in Accordance with the legal
requirements in each country” (UNSD 2014).
How the Process of Civil Registration System in
Ethiopia is provided
The civil registration process in Ethiopia involves several key steps:
1. Notification: The event (birth, death, marriage) must be reported to the
local civil registration office within a specified time frame.
2. Documentation: Relevant documents are submitted to verify the event.
For births, this may include medical records or birth notification from health
facilities; for deaths, a death certificate or burial permit may be required.
3. Registration: After verification, the civil registration officer records the
event in the civil registry. Each entry is assigned a unique identification
number.
4. Issuance of Certificates: Once registered, individuals can obtain official
certificates (e.g., birth certificates, marriage certificates) as proof of the
event.
5. Data Compilation: The registered data is compiled at local and national
levels for statistical purposes and policy planning.
Benefits of Civil Registration System in Ethiopia
All records of vital events filed through the civil registration system of a
country are used for various legal, administrative and statistical purposes by
Government agencies, businesses and individuals.
The three broad ranges of advantages (Legal, Administrative, statistical) are
\Described below:
Records are also used to produce vital statistics for use by statisticians,
Epidemiologists, demographers, and other researchers.
Birth and death records are the main source of vital statistics for many
public
Health and other research studies.
1. Legal Identity: Civil registration provides individuals with legal identity
through birth certificates and other official documents.
2. Statistical Data: It generates essential demographic data that aids in
national planning and resource allocation.
3. Access to Services: Registered individuals can access various services
such as healthcare, education, and social security.
4. Policy Development: Accurate data from civil registration informs
government policies and programs aimed at improving citizens' welfare.
5 For children
The right to be registered immediately after birth
The right to preserve identity, including nationality, name, and family
Relations as recognized by law without unlawful interference
Protection against child marriage, labor, soldier, trafficking, abduction,
And illicit adoption Access to education and social services The right to claim
inheritance In case of separation during emergencies, facilitates tracing
families
6. Social Protection: It plays a critical role in protecting rights and ensuring
social justice by providing evidence of family relationships and legal status.
7: Administrative Advantages:
Improving governance through informed decision making
Planning and monitoring programs effectively
Reliable source of information for national identification systems for
Electoral rolls, pension fund registers, and so forth
8: Statistical Advantages provides the annual vital statistics
Timely and reliable disaggregated data: by geographic location, sex, age,
Ethnicity, and other characteristics Statistical data subject to no sampling
errors and relatively low response
ErrorStatistics that can be obtained at a relatively low cost: because data are
Continuously supplied through the routine administrative system
9: For working-age population:
Access to formal employment and benefits, for example, death and
Disability insurance and health insurance
10: For older persons:
Access to old-age allowance and other government services
Challenges of Process of Civil Registration System
in Ethiopia
Problems in the exchange of information with Hospitals, Ministries of
Health…, general lack of awareness of the need to register, lack of political
support at the highest levels of government for civil registration
improvement projects and lack of long-term budgetary funding.
1. Awareness: There is often a lack of awareness among citizens about the
importance of civil registration and how to navigate the process.
2. Accessibility: Many rural areas have limited access to civil registration
offices and resources.
3. Resource Constraints: Insufficient funding and human resources hinder
effective implementation and maintenance of the civil registration system.
4. Cultural Practices: Traditional practices and beliefs may discourage
timely registration of births and deaths.
5. Data Management: Inadequate technology and infrastructure for data
collection and management can lead to inaccuracies and inefficiencies
Summary
The civil registration system in Ethiopia is an essential framework for
recording vital events that contribute to individual identity and national
development. While significant progress has been made in establishing this
system, challenges such as lack of awareness, accessibility issues, resource
constraints, cultural practices, and data management problems remain
prevalent. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for enhancing the
effectiveness of the civil registration system in Ethiopia.
▎References
1. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). (2020).
Report on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Africa.
2. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. (2019). Proclamation on
Civil Registration and Vital Statistics.
3. World Bank. (2021). Improving Civil Registration and Vital
Statistics in Ethiopia: A Roadmap for Action.
4. National Planning Commission (Ethiopia). (2020). Ethiopia’s
National Development Plan: The Role of Civil Registration.
5. African Union. (2018). Framework for Civil Registration and Vital
Statistics in Africa.
This project work provides an overview of the civil registration
system in Ethiopia while addressing its significance, processes,
benefits, and challenges faced within this context.
