For decades, children born in brothels or on the streets were routinely denied birth registration. Many were born in Daulatdia, one of the largest brothel complexes in South Asia. Without a birth certificate, these children effectively did not exist in the eyes of the authorities. They were unable to enrol in school, sit exams, access healthcare services properly or obtain a national identity card later in life. The absence of documentation also left them acutely vulnerable to child labour, early marriage and trafficking.

Under Bangladeshi law, birth registration is a legal right. The Births and Deaths Registration Act of 2004 made registration compulsory, and amendments introduced in 2013 strengthened the system, linking birth certificates to access to education and other public services. However, in practice, local officials often refused to issue certificates to children whose fathers were unknown or whose mothers were engaged in sex work. In many cases, officials insisted on naming a father, even when this was impossible or unsafe, creating a barrier that excluded some of the most vulnerable children.

The breakthrough came after advocacy by organisations including the Freedom Fund, an international anti slavery charity that works in trafficking hotspots. Campaigners identified what they described as an overlooked stipulation in the law. Since 2018, it has been legally permissible to register a birth without full parental information, meaning that a father’s name is not mandatory. Despite this, the provision had not been consistently implemented by local authorities.

Once the clarification was identified, the Freedom Fund and its Bangladeshi partners began a coordinated effort to disseminate the information to officials and communities. They worked directly with local government offices, provided legal guidance and supported mothers and guardians through the application process.

This week it was confirmed that more than 700 previously undocumented children have now received birth certificates as a result of these efforts. For many, it marks the first formal recognition of their existence.

Khaleda Akhter, Bangladesh programme manager for the Freedom Fund, told The Guardian that spreading awareness of the legal provision was critical. When she first learned about the clause allowing registration without full parental details, she said, the organisation immediately shared the information with its partners and local authorities. Akhter has witnessed the impact firsthand. A birth certificate, she explained, is not simply a piece of paper. It is often the difference between exclusion and opportunity, between vulnerability and protection.

Human rights groups say the development is a significant step towards safeguarding children born into extreme marginalisation. While challenges remain, campaigners argue that ensuring universal birth registration is one of the most effective ways to reduce exploitation and guarantee access to education and social services.

For hundreds of children in Daulatdia and beyond, official recognition is no longer out of reach.

Photo by Mpi from MPfoto71