A recent study, by the Humanitarian Hub at BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, in collaboration with Vital Strategies, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Gender Equity Unit of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Government of Bangladesh, conducted in the Dinajpur and Panchagarh districts of Rangpur, Bangladesh, reveals a significant gender disparity in civil death registration. Despite legal mandates for comprehensive vital statistics, female deaths are consistently under-reported, undermining the accuracy of public health data and impeding equitable resource distribution. This gap highlights the urgent need to strengthen civil registration systems to ensure inclusive and representative data collection.

Using qualitative interviews with community members and local leaders, the study identifies entrenched social norms as key barriers. The perception that registering female deaths is unnecessary, rooted in patriarchal structures where men are primary legal and economic actors, results in male deaths being documented more reliably due to associated financial and legal obligations. This utility-driven approach to registration reflects broader gender inequalities in civic recognition.

To address these challenges, the report recommends a multi-level strategy combining administrative reform with cultural engagement. Proposed measures include gender-sensitive training for all staff involved, increased deployment of female staff, and targeted awareness campaigns to emphasize the importance of registering all deaths. These interventions aim to promote gender equity in civil registration and ensure that every life is formally acknowledged within the public record.

The full report is available here.