WUNRN
THE BARRIER OF IDENTITY
DOCUMENTATION
Statement of the Sub Committee on Older
Women (SCOW)
of the NGO Committee on the Status of
Women, NY
Commission on the Status of Women, 52nd Session, 2008
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As we consider “Financing for Gender
Equality and Empowerment of Women,” it is critical to address the threshold
issue of identity documentation.
Even when financing is available, there
are barriers which may prevent women of all ages from accessing the
resources. The particular barrier we are
addressing is that of identity documentation (ID). Many programs which provide financing, health
benefits, social services, pensions, etc. require documentation of eligibility
requirements: citizenship, age, status, and/or relationship. Without such proof, a woman is ineligible for
the benefits. Inheritance is another
area where proof of identity and relationship are requirements.
Identity documentation is required to
exercise one’s voting rights.
Documentation is also required for various government licensing, for
example, driver’s license, vocational and business licenses.
Furthermore, the lack of documentation
is a barrier to mobility, such as for migration and family re-unification. The lack of mobility could hinder a woman’s
opportunities for employment and family support. Mobility may also be critical in escaping
abusive situations.
There are many circumstances that could
result in women of all ages being without documentation. Refugees, migrants and internally displaced
persons may no longer have their original documents in their possession. Women in societies without formalized
documentation systems may have never had documents. Women in war zones or in areas of political
or other governmental instability may be unable to acquire or access
documents. Women born before their
governments developed formal systems may never have been documented.
Therefore, we urge governments to insure
that their systems of registration and documentation are adequate. In addition, to address the needs of those
currently without documentation, we appeal to governments to develop new or
different methods of recognizing identity and eligibility.
We call upon a body within the United
Nations to review and identify examples of good working systems and to develop
models that states could adapt and adopt.
The entire subject of identity
documentation can be considered as a human rights issue. The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (
CO-SPONSORS OF SCOW STATEMENT
American Psychological
Association (APA)
Associated Country Women
of the World
Global Action on Aging
Gray Panthers
International Council of
Jewish Women (ICJW)
International Council of
Psychologists (ICP)
International Federation
on Ageing (IFA)
Simply Help
World Federation of
Ukrainian Women’s Organizations
Zonta International
______________________________________________
Karen L. Siegel, Ph.D.
UN/NGO
Representative,
Zonta
International
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