Policy Advocacy – Submissions to A.U. Bodies

Digitalization of Birth Registration in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Children’s Rights, 2025

The Centre for Child Law tendered written submissions to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) on the theme “Digitalization of Birth Registration in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Children’s Rights”.

At its core, the submissions aim to ensure that every child’s right to a legal identity, as enshrined in domestic, regional, and international law, is fully protected and upheld. The CCL emphasises that birth registration is a foundational right, specifically under Article 6 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and serves as a crucial gateway for a child to access their legal identity and essential services.

To achieve these objectives, the submissions comprehensively address several key areas:

• The legislative framework in South Africa concerning birth registration.
• The current status of birth registration, with a particular focus on digital aspects, within South Africa.
• The opportunities and benefits presented by digital birth registration.
• The challenges encountered in the implementation of digital birth registration.
• And finally, recommendations on how digital birth registration can be improved, not only within South Africa but also across the wider African region.

Complimentary Report to South Africa’s State Report on the Implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, 2022

The Centre for Child Law submitted contributions through its affiliates, the South African National Child Rights Coalition, to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child as per the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in October 2022. The contributions aim to supplement South Africa’s state party report in accordance with its reporting obligations as per the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

2017/2018 Submissions & concluding observations from the ACeRWC

South Africa’s Government Country Report

Civil Society’s Alternate Report to the ACeRWC (English)

Coalition de Rapport Alternatif – Droits de L’enfant en Afrique du Sud

Concluding Observations by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights & Welfare of the Child