This report provides an insight on how deficiencies in civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems can marginalize women and girls. Through three country case studies, this article demonstrates how under-registration throughout the life course denies legal identity and perpetuates gender inequality.
Additionally, the report finds major registration gaps affecting women across vital events. Delayed birth registration obscures baby girls in early census data. Uncounted marriages leave women without spousal legal rights. Under-registered female deaths lead to inaccurate mortality statistics. Barriers like social norms, inaccessibility, and male-dominated inheritance customs drive unequal registration.
The report makes clear that strengthening CRVS systems is crucial to empowering women and upholding rights. Legal identity facilitates access to healthcare, education, social services, land rights, and political participation. Counting and registering all vital events is essential to including women fully in society. Finally, it provides insights into tailoring CRVS laws, administrative processes, and data practices to overcome gender barriers.
Overall, this report highlights how being counted equally transforms women’s opportunities and how gender-responsive reforms can leverage CRVS systems to advance women’s equality, health, and development.
Resource: https://genderhealthdata.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/LifeCourse_Approach-to-CRVS.pdf
