Birth registration, which is a permanent and very first proof of recording of a child’s existence, is an important human right. Like in most countries, birth registration is mandatory in Nepal and is required for enrolment in schools accessing health services, for obtaining national citizenship, passport etc. However, research such as the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey shows that only 56% of the children under the age of 5 years were registered, out of which only 52% having a birth certificate. 

This formative study was conducted to understand the proximity between the gendergap in birth registration and the practice of gender-biased sex selection.