Iris ID has officially become a Coalition Partner of The ID Day Campaign, a global initiative that aims to educate governments and countries around the globe about the importance of making sure all citizens are accounted for and have a voice. We have joined 200+ coalition partners who are stepping up to the plate to advocate for total inclusion, responsible data protection and privacy legislation, and the know how to use the power of identity once officially recognized and counted. Iris ID stands with September 16.
The campaign first launched in April 2018 by ID4Africa at the 4th Annual Meeting of the Movement in Abuja, Nigeria. The date September 16 (16.9) refers to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, which seeks to provide legal identity to all individuals by 2030. The most recent count from The World Bank estimates that 850 million people globally do not have any identification and millions don’t have quality id, meaning it cannot be verified. As the world continues to expand its digital footprint and more services require identification for use, those who are already marginalized with no voice and live in poverty will only further pass into extinction as they become more out of sight and out of mind. With no access to government services, healthcare, or the ability to get a job, open a bank account or cast a vote, these people are like ghosts in their own countries. The call for identity for all is not just a slogan. It is a humanitarian effort that mandates all societies provide equality and justice. The first step is ensuring everyone is counted regardless of social status and that everyone has access to life-saving opportunities such as healthcare and education. The push for ID for all cannot fall on deaf ears. It is imperative that ID for all is realized not only to protect the marginalized but to ensure safety for all and help reduce or eliminate fraud and stolen identities. If the humanistic appeal does not drive action to ensure ID for all as well as better identification for the rest perhaps the monetary costs of constantly compensating for financial crimes due to false or stolen identities will foster better protection and harsher punishments for those convicted of these types of crimes.
As September 16 approaches, here are some ways you can show your support:
- Please repost messages commemorating the day.
- Reach out to your local representatives and school boards to encourage education about the movement.
- Engage with journalists and social influencers to discuss the topic.
- Start a National Identity Day initiative at your job
We hope that the 2023 Identity Day celebration brings even more coalition partners and individuals into the conversation.