Solutions suggested by KIIs and FGDs To help increase issuance of civil documentation to Muhamasheen, respondents were asked what I/NGOs could do. Key asks were (1) increased legal and financial assistance, (2) awareness raising amongst communities and (3) capacity building of the CRA as well as local leaders, including sheikhs. It was suggested that this package of services would address the needs at different levels. By building the capacity of the CRA and local leaders, barriers and obstacles for the Muhamasheen could be identified and addressed. Further, if the Muhamasheen were able to see legal identity documents being issued to other community members, confidence in the process would increase leading to higher demand. Solutions suggested by KIIs and FGDs In turn, those Muhamasheen in receipt of legal identity and civil documents would benefit from an increase in access to public services and civil rights, reducing the impact of discrimination and fostering a greater sense of equality and inclusion in Yemeni society. 5 At the Civil Registration Authority (Photo: Martin Clutterbuck/NRC) 6 Conclusion and Recommendations By helping the Muhamasheen through the process and covering the associated costs, civil registration would become much more accessible and affordable. Civil Registration Authority (Photo: Martin Clutterbuck/NRC) Conclusion and Recommendations 6.1 Conclusion As the Yemeni legal framework recognizes the right to legal identity and civil documentation for all Yemenis, including the Muhamasheen, the key challenge is realization of that right in practice. According to NRC surveys, the rate of possession of national ID documentation by the Muhamasheen could be as low as 22 per cent (22%). Forty-two per cent (42%) of Muhamasheen children are estimated to lack birth certificates, depriving them of access to school and health services and resulting in protection risks such as increased child labour and child marriage. Without such documents, life for the Muhamasheen in Yemen is much harder than necessary. Their ability to access humanitarian assistance, register businesses and even rent property is limited, affecting their life opportunities. The barriers identified by the Muhamasheen include the cost and complexity of the process and a strong sense of discriminatory treatment, both within the community and by authorities, leading to a reluctance to apply for documents. A further evidentiary barrier is the fact that parents of the Muhamasheen also lack national ID documents. Such documents, or alternative proof of Yemeni origin, are necessary for authorities to confirm legal identity. Yemeni authorities are aware of the challenges but lack resources and capacity to address these issues. Historically entrenched discriminatory attitudes within the community must also be overcome.