El programa BRAVO en Liberia (artículo en The News of Monrovia)

The Community of Sant’Egidio, An international faith-based organization, has formally launched its birth registration project in Liberia. The BRAVO Project (Birth Registration for All Versus Oblivion) is to buttress government’s ongoing carnpaign to ensure that every Liberian child has a birth certificate. The organization operates in Asia, America, Burkina Faso and sub-Saharan Africa to help leaders in their respective countries have proper identities for their citizens.
Addressing a news conference Tuesday in Monrovia the head of BRAVO delegation visiting Liberia said about 70 percent of the world population lives in countries -especially  in Africa- with birth registration systems that are incomplete or insufficient. Madam Valeria Gutterez said out of the estimated 150 million children born every year, one third (51 million) are not registered at birth, describing it as unfair to the welfare of the children. Madam Gutterez said in sub-Saharan Africa, which Liberia is a part of, the rate of birth registration is the lowest in the worid, ranging from 55 percent to 67 percent. According to her this indicates that two out of three children born are not registered, which she said is posing serious problems in sub-Saharan African countries to know the legitimate status of their population.

She said the project which is being implemented by their local partners, Community of Sant’Egidio based in Liberia, is currently operating in Montserrado and Maryland counties in ensuring that the legal status of children in the country are respected at all levels. Madam Gutterez said birth registration is the offieial recognition of the legal existence of a child, and is considered a fundamental right, under Article 7 of the United Nations Convention on the right of the children. She indicated that children of the country will not be allowed in the future to fully enjoy their democratic life in life if they are denied the opportunities to obtain their birth cerlificate. Gutterez said though the government has announced that birth certificnte for zero to 12 month old children free of charge , the process needs massive awareness throughout the Country . She noted that unless proper mechanism is put into place by relevant institutions to bultress such effort by government, the intent of the campaign would be a mere joke.

Also addressing the news c o n f e r e n c e, t h e Coordinator for Community of Sant’Egidio, BRAVO’s implementing organization in Liberia said prior to the launch of the project, more than 190 families have so far been sensitized to prioritize their chi ldren’s birth registration. Mr. Abraham Fahnbulleh said the sensitization campaign was carried out in Mary County and two populated communities in Montserrado County, including West point and PHP community on the UN Drive. Mr. Fahnbulleh said they would ensure that all parents in the country be educated on the importance of obtaining their children’s birth certificatc as was successfully done in other countries where the organization operated.