Gender Gaps Threaten Progress on Global Legal Identity Goals, Vital Strategies CEO Warns

Why It Matters

If legal identity systems ignore gender disparities, millions of women will remain invisible, limiting their access to essential services and undermining global development targets.

Key Takeaways

• Rwanda's birth registration rose from 63% to 94% after digitization
• Thailand and Vietnam showcase integrated birth‑registration and national‑ID systems
• Gender gaps in Sub‑Saharan Africa hinder SDG 16.9 progress
• Human‑centered design is essential for inclusive digital health and ID

Pulse Analysis

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16.9 aims for universal legal identity, yet gender disparities remain a blind spot in many low‑income regions. Women and girls are disproportionately unregistered, which curtails their legal protections, financial inclusion, and access to public services. Vital Strategies’ latest analysis highlights that while birth‑registration coverage is improving worldwide, Sub‑Saharan Africa still trails, and the gap widens when gender is considered. Addressing this imbalance is not just a social imperative; it is a prerequisite for achieving broader development outcomes.

Successful case studies illustrate how technology can bridge the divide when paired with inclusive policy. Rwanda’s digitized birth‑registration platform propelled coverage from 63 % in 2016 to 94 % within two years, and the country’s integration of health data with identity records enables frontline workers to track vaccinations efficiently. Similarly, Thailand and Vietnam have linked civil‑registration databases to national ID schemes, creating seamless public‑service delivery and reducing administrative friction. These examples demonstrate that digitization alone is insufficient; the real value emerges when civil‑registration feeds into a unified national identity ecosystem.

Etiebet urges governments to embed gender equity into digital public infrastructure (DPI) strategies. This means designing ID systems that are accessible in remote areas, ensuring women’s data privacy, and involving female stakeholders in the development process. A human‑centered approach—prioritizing usability and cultural relevance—can boost trust and adoption, especially for digital health initiatives that often fail without inclusive design. By aligning DPI investments with gender‑focused outcomes, countries can safeguard women’s rights, improve service delivery, and accelerate progress toward the universal legal identity promised by SDG 16.9.