That small formal thing

That small formal thing

If asked about basic rights we have to admit that we have very
little to be proud of, and two days ago we were reminded that in
another crucial area of fundamental rights -- the rights of
children -- Indonesia ranks below many other countries in the
region.

According to the "Progress of Nations 1998," report, which has
just been published by the United Nations Children's Fund
(Unicef), Indonesia's record on child rights ranks below average
for the East/South Asia and Pacific region. The report focuses on
the success of states in registering each child at birth,
immunizing infants against six major diseases, and helping
adolescents -- particularly girls -- develop toward adulthood.

According to the report, Indonesia ranks number 13 among 23
countries in the region in birth registration. Indonesia is
placed behind countries like Australia, China, Malaysia,
Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Pakistan and the Philippines.
Among those ranked below Indonesia were India, Myanmar,
Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.

Is the report a slap on our face? To many people here the
report may not sound shocking at all and the plaudits directed at
the country's immunization programs might serve to temper the
embarrassment the report should cause.

Registering births is of crucial importance and should be
given the utmost attention because children without birth
certificates can be marginalized and face difficulties throughout
their lives as the result of an oversight over which they have no
control.

Although the Civil Registration Office has conducted a
national campaign to encourage parents to register every birth
within their family, the fact is that most children who own birth
certificates were born in urban centers.

It appears this unpleasant reality has come about as a result
of entrenched local traditions and a lack of awareness among
parents who live in rural areas. Indonesia is predominantly rural
and millions of people live in isolated areas, meaning that it is
not easy for them to inform the local registration office of
births in the family.

The way in which culture has influenced this negligence is
that every time a new baby is expected, the family is made busy
in avoiding taboos and fulfilling traditional rites. The family
has to be careful not to kill any animal or speak evil of any
person. When the pregnant woman leaves home, she has to carry
scissors to ward off evil spirits.

When the woman is seven month pregnant tradition dictates that
the family hold a special rite to welcome the new baby. After its
birth, the father and the rest of the family hold another
ceremony to bury the placenta. These traditional rites are
followed by Akikah, an Islamic hair shaving ceremony. The baby is
given a name when it is seven days old. Although this religious
ceremony is not compulsory for those who cannot afford it, many
people go to great lengths to hold it.

With all these superstitious obligations to be met and the
absence of an understanding of the necessity of obtaining a valid
birth certificate for the baby, it is understandable why parents
overlook taking a trip to the registrar's office after the baby's
birth.

So, by exercising the virtues of patience and showing full
understanding, the local authorities should explain to people why
a birth certificate is so important. It is proof of place and
date of birth, is necessary to enroll in school, apply for a
passport, join the military and many other important activities.
Children should not suffer as the result of a small oversight
made only days after their birth.