The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) is reviewing the civil registration system. At a four-day workshop at Hotel Novotel, NISR discussed ways to improve the registration of births, deaths, marriages and adoption. Steps discussed included the training of personnel and generating awareness in society.

NISR vowed to increase knowledge and understanding of civil registration, simplify the registration procedures and set up more registration offices. Data inconsistencies have highlighted the need for reform.

"Rwanda as a fast growing economy needs reliable, accurate, and up-to-date data for better planning and policy implementation,” explained Ruterana Baudouin Abdon, the director of demographic and social statistics at NISR. He also highlighted that the review is will also benefit individuals.

"Families are having conflicts over property after death of the owner. But if a death certificate is obtained within the required time of 15 days, claiming of property is easier since there is proof,” Ruterana explained.

The review is being carried by the ministries of local government, justice, information, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

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