In Niger, at Ouallam camp, Mahaza Yacouba, 19, remains hopeful for a brighter future despite being forcibly displaced. After dropping out of school in her hometown because of distance, she was left with a future seemingly limited to household duties. But, thanks to funding from the European Union and with the support of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) she found a new path by enrolling in a vocational training centre.
Identity restored
An identity denied
Although Mahaza’s birth was registered, she never received an official birth certificate—a common issue in her village. Without this vital identity document, she faced constant challenges, limiting her mobility and access to essential services.
“The last time I travelled, I was fined CFA 1,500 [approximately USD 3.28] for not having an identity document,” she recalls. “There was also a training opportunity I wanted to join with an organisation, but they required a birth certificate, and I couldn’t provide one.”
Her father adds that, through these challenges, “we have come to realise the significance of a birth certificate. But at CFA 5,000, we don’t have the money to obtain it.”
With support from local authorities and judicial services, a court process was initiated to officially recognise her birth. The judgment was sent to the town hall after the ruling was issued. With this, Mahaza could finally receive her long-awaited birth certificate.
Opening doors
With this document, Mahaza can now fully exercise her right to an identity and access essential socio-economic opportunities.
For her, the birth certificate marks a fresh start. Seizing a second chance at education, she has enrolled in the vocational training centre in Ouallam, where she is learning skills in agro-food processing.
“When I went to register, the first thing they requested was my birth certificate,” she says.
Today, she aspires to establish a peanut processing business to provide for herself and her family.
With her birth certificate in hand, Mahaza was able to obtain an identity card, allowing her to take on a role as a facilitator in a children's play area established by a local non-governmental organisation.
Securing identities
For many young people like Mahaza, a birth certificate is essential for securing employment and accessing economic opportunities. Between January and October 2024, NRC helped 696 individuals obtain birth certificates as part of a project funded by EU Humanitarian Aid.
An identity denied
Although Mahaza’s birth was registered, she never received an official birth certificate—a common issue in her village. Without this vital identity document, she faced constant challenges, limiting her mobility and access to essential services.
“The last time I travelled, I was fined CFA 1,500 [approximately USD 3.28] for not having an identity document,” she recalls. “There was also a training opportunity I wanted to join with an organisation, but they required a birth certificate, and I couldn’t provide one.”
Her father adds that, through these challenges, “we have come to realise the significance of a birth certificate. But at CFA 5,000, we don’t have the money to obtain it.”
With support from local authorities and judicial services, a court process was initiated to officially recognise her birth. The judgment was sent to the town hall after the ruling was issued. With this, Mahaza could finally receive her long-awaited birth certificate.
Opening doors
With this document, Mahaza can now fully exercise her right to an identity and access essential socio-economic opportunities.
For her, the birth certificate marks a fresh start. Seizing a second chance at education, she has enrolled in the vocational training centre in Ouallam, where she is learning skills in agro-food processing.
“When I went to register, the first thing they requested was my birth certificate,” she says.
Today, she aspires to establish a peanut processing business to provide for herself and her family.
With her birth certificate in hand, Mahaza was able to obtain an identity card, allowing her to take on a role as a facilitator in a children's play area established by a local non-governmental organisation.
Securing identities
For many young people like Mahaza, a birth certificate is essential for securing employment and accessing economic opportunities. Between January and October 2024, NRC helped 696 individuals obtain birth certificates as part of a project funded by EU Humanitarian Aid.
Sign up to our newsletter to read more stories from around the world.