The Head of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Mozambique, Laura Tomm-Bonde, revealed this week that only 34% of the Mozambican population have identity cards and another 55% have a birth certificate.

"This impressive figure should awaken our empathy and motivate us to continue our joint efforts, because legal identity, more than a bureaucratic necessity, is a fundamental human right that profoundly impacts the lives of individuals. It is the key to accessing a myriad of services and protections, including education and health to employment and social security," he said during the II Regional Conference on Legal Identity, in Maputo, on the 11th and 12th of this month.

Violent extremism in the country's northern provinces over the last six years is seen as one of the factors that has worsened the situation, especially for vulnerable populations.

"Having a legal identity is more than just a piece of paper - it's a gateway to dignity, security and opportunity. Working together, we can build systems that protect and empower people, especially the most vulnerable," she said.

The conference covered topics such as civil registration and consular affairs, the forthcoming IOM handbook on consular assistance, the provision of consular services abroad, the harmonization of vital records and legal identity assistance for cross-border populations in the SADC region.

Around 850 million people around the world do not have a legal identity document, according to data from the World Bank quoted by the IOM. Legal identity includes a range of documents such as birth certificates, national identity cards, passports, driving licenses, social security cards, electoral registration cards, marriage certificates, death certificates and immigration documents that are crucial to establishing an individual's identity and legal status.

Without proper identification, they face major obstacles to improving their lives and accessing regular channels, such as difficulties in obtaining visas, residence permits and guaranteeing their fundamental rights. (Sources: Jornal Positivo and International Organization for Migration)