A sensitization campaign on the importance of obtaining civil registration documents, particularly birth, marriage, and death certificates, was recently conducted in Butembo, a city in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The campaign, which was organized by Radio Moto Butembo-Beni in collaboration with the Collectif des radios et télévisions communautaires du Nord-Kivu (CORACON), aimed to educate the population on the significance of these documents.
According to Jean-Bosco Kighanda, a representative of the civil registry office at the Butembo mayor's office, the campaign focused on raising awareness about the legal obligation to declare births within 90 days, and the consequences of not doing so. He explained that failure to declare a birth within the stipulated timeframe requires a supplementary judgment from the peace court, which incurs additional costs.
Kighanda also highlighted the importance of marriage and death certificates, noting that they have significant implications for individuals and families. He emphasized that marriage certificates help prevent problems that may arise in the event of the death of one of the spouses, while death certificates facilitate succession and remarriage.
Despite the challenges posed by the shortage of birth registers in all civil registry offices in the Grand Nord region, Kighanda assured that the registration of children is still possible using proxy registers. He added that once the registers become available, parents will be able to obtain their children's birth certificates without a supplementary judgment.
Me. Muhindo Wasivinywa, coordinator of the "Réseau pour les droits humains (REDHO)" organization, noted that the issue of civil registration documents is a concern that affects the daily lives of the population. He observed that many participants in the campaign had not previously understood the importance of these documents but now recognize their significance.
The participants, mostly women, welcomed the campaign and expressed their appreciation for the information provided. One participant, Mme. Mbambu Juliette Kambere, stated that she now understands the different types of civil registration documents and their importance, and promised to share this knowledge with other women.
The campaign was organized by Radio Moto Butembo-Beni in collaboration with CORACON, and was part of a broader effort to promote awareness and understanding of civil registration documents in the region. The organizers hope that the campaign will have a positive impact on the lives of the population, particularly in terms of access to essential services and rights.
Key points
- The population of Butembo has been sensitized on the importance of obtaining civil registration documents, particularly birth, marriage, and death certificates.
- The campaign highlighted the legal obligation to declare births within 90 days and the consequences of not doing so.
- The organizers hope that the campaign will have a positive impact on the lives of the population, particularly in terms of access to essential services and rights.
