Civil Society Unites to Strengthen Bangladesh’s CRVS System through a National Advocacy Forum

In a significant step toward ensuring legal identity for every citizen, more than 35 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) convened today at the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) to formally establish the National Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS)  Advocacy Forum.

The meeting was organised by Nari Maitree with technical support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and was held successfully and on schedule. Md. Daud Miah, ndc, Director General (Additional Secretary) of the NGO Affairs Bureau, was the Chief Guest, and the event was chaired by Ms Shaheen Akter Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree.

The newly formed National CRVS Advocacy Forum (NCAF) aims to advocate for critical legal and policy reforms, most notably the amendment of the Birth and Death Registration Act, 2004, to recognise health facilities as "Primary Informants." This reform is expected to significantly reduce delays and gaps in registration, ensuring that no child is born invisible to the state.

Nazrul Islam (Ex-Secretary, Co-ordination & Reform), Cabinet Division, CRVS Country Coordinator, Vital Strategies, attended as a special guest and provided a technical overview of the Assessment, Analysis and Redesign (AAR) of Bangladesh's CRVS system. He described the meeting as exceptional in terms of both participant diversity and commitment, noting that the strong willingness of CSOs to form a unified platform marked a turning point for CRVS advocacy.

"Strengthening the CRVS system is not just a legal requirement; it is a fundamental data necessity for national planning. The formation of this Forum is a landmark achievement. By prioritising health facility notification, we are addressing the root causes of registration gaps," he said.

Nazrul Islam further expressed optimism that the Forum would serve as a regular watchdog, helping to sustain momentum in CRVS reform and accountability.

In his remarks, Chief Guest Md. Daud Miah, ndc, highly appreciated the initiative and stated that the meeting had positively changed his views on CRVS advocacy. He emphasised that advocacy requires regular engagement and consistent follow-up, noting that such forums should continue on a regular basis.

"CRVS is not only a government priority; it is a shared responsibility of all civil society organisations," he said.

He also expressed his willingness to support the Forum as a facilitator and highlighted that CRVS is a multisectoral issue, encouraging all NGOs registered under the NGO Affairs Bureau to actively raise their voices and work collectively through this Forum.

Adding a legal perspective, Barrister Khalilur Rahman, ndc, Director, (Registration & Audit) NGOAB, stressed the importance of raising public awareness on birth and death registration and clearly linked CRVS with access to justice. He noted that citizens are better able to claim their rights and receive legal protection when they possess proper civil registration documents.

Leaders from participating CSOs described the initiative as timely and strategic, particularly in the context of achieving SDG 16.9-legal identity for all by 2030. Importantly, all participating organisations unanimously expressed their agreement and willingness to actively work within the National CRVS Advocacy Forum, committing to sustained and coordinated advocacy efforts.
Mr Khaled Bin Yousuf, Director-Program at Nari Maitree, presented the Forum's proposed structure, emphasising sustainability, inclusivity, and democratic participation.

The event concluded with the signing of "The Citizens' Declaration for a Stronger CRVS," reaffirming civil society's collective pledge to support government efforts to ensure that every birth and death in Bangladesh is registered, protecting the rights, dignity, and identities of all citizens.