APPENDIX 5: GENERAL RESEARCH GUIDE / SEMI-STRUCTURED DISCUSSION CHECKLIST The research was guided by some of the following questions: 1. What are the main issues relating to non-registration and access to registration centres? 2. How adequate is the current legal framework regarding Birth Registration? 3. What socio-economic and cultural factors, values traditions and norms negatively affect Birth Registration? 4. What are some of the gender considerations that affect or influence registration or non-registration of children? 5. What are some of the constraining systems and procedures in Birth Registration in Zimbabwe? 6. Has the decentralization of the Registrar General’s (RG’s) Office had a positive effect of having more people coming forward seeking registration? 7. Are the R-G’s personnel in the decentralized offices idle due to the absence of people seeking registration? 8. Why are people not coming forward for registration? 9. Are people aware of the presence of the decentralized offices? 10. What is the attitude of officials in the RG’s office towards people seeking registration and could a negative attitude be a push-away factor? 11. What improvements may be required to improve the efficiency, effectiveness of the RG’s offices that would make them user-friendly? 12. Why are people being turned way from the RG’s offices? 13. Which requirements of the RG’s offices required for Birth Registration present the greatest challenge to would-be registrants? 14. How accessible to the public is information on Birth Registration? 15. What impact has Government and civil society relations had on the Birth Registration campaign? 16. To what extent do you think inefficiency and corruption in supporting institutions has affected Birth Registration? 17. What is the efficacy and impact of the current Birth Registration campaign? 18. Are Birth Registration campaigns reaching out to the intended target and with what effect? 19. What challenges do single mothers and orphans (or their guardians) face in Birth Registration processes? 20. How are non-Zimbabwean, refugee and non-resident children treated when they seek registration and how should this be improved? 21. To what extent do unregistered children access education, health and recreation? 22. What has been done with and for unregistered children by various agencies? 23. What should be the focus of advocacy campaigns and efforts towards Birth Registration in Zimbabwe? Birth Registration Research Report/2007 54