
January 2025, World : UNICEF 2025 Global outlook and perspectives for children – Building Resilient Systems for Children’s Futures
UNICEF reports that in today’s world, technology could play a role in better protecting children. Digital public infrastructure (DPI) “can play a crucial role in advancing children’s well-being by ensuring equitable access to essential services such as education, healthcare and social protection. For example, digital IDs linked to electronic civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems can help people throughout their lives by providing a single source of identification across systems”. “The lack of clear legal, regulatory and policy frameworks for DPI creates barriers to data interoperability between ministries. Systems that serve children – such as CRVS, health, education and social protection – need better integration of data and registries to facilitate easier access to services” The report reminds us that protecting sensitive information of children is paramount and that if DPI systems have immense potential to transform public services for children and families, they must prioritize children’s rights and truly serve the best interests of every child.
CHIP welcomes this report which mentions that “linking ID systems to CRVS systems, particularly birth registration, promotes inclusivity and equity, especially for women and girls” and reminds us that the right to identity is crucial for a better respect of children’s rights.