TED Talks Daily Why having a birth certificate is a human right | Kristen Wenz
Feb 24, 2020
Kristen Wenz, a legal identity expert, delves into the startling reality that over a billion people, primarily children, lack birth certificates, making access to basic services like healthcare and education nearly impossible. She argues that this issue represents a significant human rights violation and shares five innovative strategies to enhance global registration efforts. Wenz emphasizes that legal identity is essential for equality and justice, making birth registration a vital issue for societal progress.
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Adoption and Birth Certificates
- Kristen Wenz's mother questioned which birthdates to use for her adopted brothers from Ethiopia.
- This sparked Wenz's interest in birth certificates and their global importance.
Birth Certificates and Human Rights
- Birth certificates are crucial for international development, tying into the human rights agenda.
- A billion people lack this legal identity, a significant human rights violation.
The Girl in Mumbai
- Wenz recounts a case of a girl in Mumbai who needed a birth certificate to access basic services.
- This highlighted how essential birth certificates are for accessing government aid.