Major Victory: Mothers’ Names Are Finally on Birth Certificates and IDs

A new law breathes new life in the movement for women’s rights in Afghanistan: mothers’ names will now appear on their children’s birth certificates and identification cards, which can consequently help women have access to services, documents, and freedoms.

President Ashraf Ghani’s decision to implement this new law is particularly important for women who are either widowed, divorced, separated, or dealing with abusive partners since they will be granted access to education, health care, and passports. They will also be able to get documentation for their children and to travel with them.

Afghan women’s rights activists welcome this major victory as it is in line with the cultural shift occurring in Afghanistan towards putting an end to the erasure of women in society. The government’s support for this law is encouraging for the future of Afghani women who have won some fights since 2001 and still fighting strong today.