Malawi: Birth Certificates Now Compulsory. 

Issuance of birth certificates is now compulsory in Malawi. 

This was a proactive measure taken to curb growing child trafficking problem in the country. Officials say the move will also reduce confusion in adoption cases - such as Madonna's adoption of a Malawian boy.  

Aside from new born child, over 12 million Malawians are required to have birth or death certificates. 

The Madonna Experience 

Madonna adopted a one-year-old Malawian boy from an orphanage but it was later discovered that his father was still alive.  

Labour Minister David Katsonga will kick off the process by issuing certificates to children in the southern district of Mwanza this week.  

Malawi lacks comprehensive child protection laws, and the International Labour Organisation says there is a lot of child trafficking for sex and labour in Malawi.  

There have been cases of children, especially girls, being taken to Europe to work in the sex trade.  

Authorities hope the new birth certificates will offer children some degree of protection, and make them less vulnerable to exploitation as child labourers.

 

 

BBC/AOA/ Qasim/ Ugoma