Despertares nocturnos

This analysis leveraging large-N, medium-N and small methods, while comprehensive, is not exhaustive. It answers some questions but prompts others, providing opportunities for future research. While global universal birth registration remains an unfinished development goal, there is more to learn about birth registration, CRVS systems, and the protection of children. This

thesis sought to better understand the disparities between national birth registration rates, why birth registration is lower and more varied in less-developed countries, and what factors allow for increases in birth registration. This research has answered these questions to some extent, but scholars should conduct more research to provide a complete understanding of what factors allow for increases in birth registration. Their focus should be on country initiatives and the relationship between governments, donors, and development partners.

The quantitative analysis revealed significance of a few variables. The results showed a significant correlation between higher birth registration rates and more effective health care systems and more urban populations. Given the process and barriers of birth registration, the relationship between health system characteristics and urbanization is not surprising. However, the lack of correlation between governance and birth registration was not expected, given the literature that supports the theory that more democratic governments provide public goods at a higher level. However, the data shows correlation of variables, but it does not tell the whole story. The qualitative analysis of changing birth registration rates using process tracing methods allowed for understanding of what changes birth registration and what types of countries attempt to and succeed in increasing birth registration. The results showed that many of the countries that expressed increases in birth registration made efforts to change the countries’ processes and received international support in doing so. There is a risk of bias that more information is available for countries successful in developing CRVS systems, while failed efforts to increase birth registration are not widely reported.

Future research should explore the relationship between governments, donors, and development partners regarding birth registration. For instance, how does this process begin? What types of countries receive the most money or technical assistance and are most effective in

utilizing this support? How do donors select countries to help? Who is the leader in initiating changes to countries’ CRVS systems? A lack of data and communication with donors inhibited me from answering these questions myself. Thorough research that analyzes the interactions between these players can provide guidance on how to encourage this process to occur in the most effective way. Governments should recognize the importance of effective CRVS systems and should be most involved in the creation of their own systems, strategies, and services.

Donors should provide aid to countries that need it the most and will be the most likely to use the financial support as a starting point to a commitment to CRVS. Development partners should work alongside governments in countries needing assistance in a way that reflects the

sociocultural realities of the countries. Initiating these actions (or maintaining them) requires detailed understanding of the environments as they currently are.

Scholars should continue to conduct in-depth country analyses regarding birth registration and CRVS systems, like the Tanzania case study included in this thesis.

Governments and partners can use country analyses prior to initiatives to identify barriers and create inclusive and effective initiatives. Analyses of countries during or following the

implementation of such initiatives and CRVS system modifications will allow for a precise judgement of the changes. Governments and their partners may then determine if they are achieving the proper objectives. A “checklist” to improving birth registration can ensure that the new initiatives or systems are not discriminatory. This type of analysis would especially be helpful to determine why some countries have experienced persistently low birth registration rates, despite attempts to increase rates.

Due to logistical constraints, I could not include a measurement of spillover effects. Many regional conferences have discussed increasing birth registration and CRVS development,

and countries have reiterated their commitment to birth registration in response to their

neighbors’ efforts. In addition, some countries (like Tanzania) have travelled to other countries to observe and learn from the other countries’ experiences increasing birth registration. If the success of neighboring or regional countries of increasing birth registration encouraged other countries to follow suit, then partners should shift focus to regional registration efforts. Another recommendation for research is analysis of the use of ICT in developing CRVS systems. ICT has allowed for mobile and electronic registration and transmission of information in many different contexts and countries. ICT use could be a driving force in developing CRVS systems.

The explanations for low birth registration are varied, but political commitment, improved health systems, a cost-free registration process, and the elimination of distance as a barrier are crucial to increasing birth registration. Research in the previously discussed areas will create a stronger foundation for steps moving forward. It is this research which will rectify the problems that have hindered the development of countries and protection of millions of children for decades.

IX. Conclusion

The lack of registration of millions of children is a development failure. These children have forgone their legal identity and recognition from their government. They are more

vulnerable to human rights violations, and governments with incomplete knowledge of their countries have more trouble understanding and thus meeting the needs of the people. Birth registration is thus a necessary public good that many low- and middle-income countries

that countries with improved health systems, more democratic and effective governments, high urbanization, and strong social development will have higher birth registration rates.

The results of the quantitative analysis revealed that registration rates improve as urbanization rates and the rates of births attended by skilled staff increase, which can indicate a means to facilitate birth registration. More specifically, increasing public awareness,

decentralizing the process, and eliminating the cost of birth registration reform faulty CRVS systems. The governments of Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mali, Niger, and Tanzania, among other countries, implemented similar policies and consequently improved their birth registration rates. These initiatives occurred with substantial support from donors and INGOs. At the same time, many of these countries also developed their health sectors, which could have enhanced the impact of the birth registration initiatives.

I conclude that while urbanization and more births attended by health staff correlate to increased birth registration, the focus of increasing birth registration should be implementing CRVS initiatives in conjunction with development of the health sector. These initiatives should directly address the barriers to birth registration and aim to implement a functioning CRVS system that reaches the entire population. These initiatives require political commitment and a recognition of the importance of birth registration from INGOs, donors, and governments. Combatting low birth registration rates therefore becomes a demand for good governance, whether that is achieving it for one’s own country or helping another country achieve it. Ultimately, this study used a variety of methods to analyze a global development problem and provide a deeper understanding of the issue and ways to address it. This paper can hopefully stand alongside other forthcoming efforts to guide INGOs, donors, and governments at securing a safer future for the invisible children.

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