In many cases, children without birth certificates are unable to enrol in school. Combined with low levels of education and high levels of poverty amongst the Muhamasheen, this can lead to increased levels of child labour. Many families feel compelled to send their children to work on the street and in other unsafe jobs with very low income. For girls, however, the lack of access to education combined with a lack of family access to public services and civil rights as well as low family income can lead to higher rates of child marriage. Participants in different FGDs noted the disproportionate impact of the lack of access to health services on women in particular. Many Muhamasheen women are refused admittance to the hospital to give birth due to their lack of documentation. The consequence is increased rates of home births with local midwives. This can sometimes lead to the loss of life or to serious health issues. In case of the need for surgery, for urgent medical issues or even treatment for injuries suffered in street or work accidents, the Muhamasheen are unable to obtain hospital treatment due to their lack of an identity document. The lengthy process for obtaining the national ID was noted by a small percentage (5% or 15 of 299 persons) as another obstacle. Many Muhamasheen are working to survive as daily labourers. Their long working hours make it a challenge for them to repeatedly visit the CRA to obtain a document. Some participants also expressed their concern about paying more than the official fees whilst others claimed misconduct by staff of the CRA. 4.5 Registration for humanitarian services requires proof of identity and participants in FGDs noted that some Muhamasheen use negative coping mechanisms to bypass their lack of civil documentation. This can include asking a relative or friend with a national ID to register for services, with an agreement to share the services with them. The lack of documentation also excludes many vulnerable Muhamasheen from access to cash which cannot be collected from the banks and hawalas without identity documentation. Other problems include lack of vocational training opportunities, restrictions on movement and limited employment opportunities. In one FGD, the participants reported that in their village in Aden some women could not enrol in vocational trainings supported by an NGO, on account of their lack of an ID document. The Muhamasheen without an ID also face problems travelling between governorates, even sometimes within the same governorate. They are stopped and questioned about their identity and are sometimes unable to pass check points. Without proper documentation, opportunities for decent work are low. The Muhamasheen are locked into a poverty cycle of daily labour, menial jobs with low incomes and difficult and sometimes dangerous working conditions. Access to public services Ninety-four percent (94%) of respondents (357 out of 385 persons surveyed) reported that their access to public services and to other civil rights and freedoms is limited due to lack of access to civil documentation. All participants in KIIs shared this view. Public services include access to education and health services, in addition to access to humanitarian services such as WFP General Food Assistance. Other civil rights include the right to hawala services, the right to rent accommodation, to buy and sell property and to register businesses. 9 It’s never too late (Photo: NRC) ACCESS TO LEGAL IDENTITY AND CIVIL DOCUMENTATION AMONG THE MUHAMAHSHEEN IN YEMEN