Lisuba Kabanda

DOI : https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2026.v5i4n34

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ABSTRACT

Birth registration is an important aspect when it comes to the protection of children from abuse, promotion of their rights and establishment of their legal identity. However, birth registration in Zambia and Kabwe District had been persistently low, about 16 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Therefore, this research investigated the challenges of birth registration in Kabwe District. The study was descriptive, employing the mixed methods approach and case study design. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected from primary and secondary sources. The sample included 105 respondents (parents and guardians) and eight (8) service providers. The findings show that the major challenges faced by Government included inadequate enforcement of legal provisions, limited financial resources and lack of mandatory use of birth certificates. The main challenges faced by parents and guardians include; delays in processing birth certificates, lack of information on the importance of birth registration and lack of immediate benefits from birth certificates. Consequently, the Government had put in place fairly effective policy, legal, institutional and technological measures. These measures contributed towards the increase in birth registration coverage in the district from 10 percent in 2017 to 23 percent in 2023. However, the study found that financial and technological measure were inadequate. It recommended provision of adequate financial resources, improved enforcement of the legal and institutional frameworks and to mandate the use of birth certificate for accessing services like school enrolment, social benefits and insurance.

KEYWORDS:

Birth Registration, Challenges, Measures, Kabwe District.

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Cite this Article:Kabanda, L. (2026). Assessing Challenges of Birth Registration in Zambia: The Case of Kabwe District. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE HUMANITY & MANAGEMENT RESEARCHS, 5(4), 867-875. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2026.v5i4n34

VOlUME 05 ISSUE 04 April 2026