Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS)

Advancing research and global collaboration to make civil registration systems more inclusive and responsive, especially to women and girls.

Woman smiling as she holds up birth certificate for baby sleeping in her lap.

About the Program

Civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems record major life events. These include births, marriages, divorces, and deaths. CRVS systems help people prove their identity, access services, and protect their rights. They are particularly important for women and girls. Access to civil registration can support greater social and economic inclusion and reduce gender inequalities. CRVS systems also provide population data that policymakers use to plan services, allocate resources, and track progress.

Yet many countries still lack complete and reliable CRVS systems. Legal, financial, and social barriers can make it difficult for women and girls to register important life events. Gaps in official records leave their needs less visible to policymakers. More research and funding are needed to understand and solve these challenges. Open Data Watch (ODW) works with international partners to address gaps and promote stronger, more inclusive CRVS systems.

ODW’s work on gender and CRVS began in 2018 through a partnership with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), which housed the Centre of Excellence for CRVS Systems. Early efforts brought together researchers, practitioners, and advocates to identify barriers and set priorities for research and action. This collaboration grew through research, publications, and international events. It continued as the Centre moved to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). ODW has to share knowledge and explore solutions. It has also contributed research on the financial sustainability of CRVS systems.

What We Do

Research & Evidence

ODW produces research to better understand the barriers women and girls face in civil registration and identify ways to overcome them. Our work examines the costs, benefits, and financing of CRVS systems. This evidence helps policymakers and development partners identify priorities, make informed decisions, and plan for long-term improvements.

Convening & Partnerships

ODW brings together governments, researchers, civil society, and development partners through international symposiums, conferences, and donor roundtables. These exchanges build a shared understanding of challenges, strengthen cooperation, and turn research into common priorities and practical solutions. They also create opportunities to coordinate efforts and mobilize support for stronger CRVS systems.

Advocacy

ODW raises awareness of gaps in CRVS systems and their impact on women and girls. By sharing evidence and recommendations with policymakers and development partners, we work to bring gender equality into discussions and decisions about CRVS. Through this work, ODW seeks to build support for more inclusive CRVS systems and long-term investment.