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Adoption could reduce baby dumping cases
Giving a child up for adoption should not be seen as an abandonment of maternal responsibility but as an empowered choice, one that prioritises the child’s interests.
In February, a local newspaper published a story about a 31-year-old woman who gave up her 12-year-old child for adoption by her wealthy grandparents after the death of their son, who was her boyfriend. As expected, it elicited a concoction of reactions and emotions.
Some people thought it was an ill-advised decision. After all, a mother is supposed to take care of her children, make sacrifices and endure all circumstances to ensure the needs of her children are met. But she also received admiration for putting the child’s welfare and future above self. The newspaper also reported that the grandparents were in the process of having her registered as their daughter to allow her to inherit their possessions.
The woman said when her boyfriend died, she was left unemployed and unable to support her child. She cited financial constraints and inability to provide for the child’s needs as the reason for giving up her child. This is a story shared by millions of women across the country who suffer under the strain of economic hardship, family constraints and other societal ills such as teenage pregnancy, rape, and incest.
There are numerous reasons why this kind of selfless act should be supported and advanced in our communities. One, it will play a part in addressing the dire social problem that we face as a nation—infant and child neglect and abandonment. In 2015, the media reported that a garbage sorter found at least 16 babies dumped in the trash.
Further, thousands of children linger on Nairobi streets begging from motorists and pedestrians; a consequence of spiralling infant abandonment. Infants are being rescued from garbage sites, pit latrines, hospitals and plantations—some unwell, with broken limbs, and some put in polythene bags and left to die.
Few struggling mothers are unaware that adoption is a legal and accessible option. A mother surrendering her legal rights to her child is not commonplace, especially in Africa, owing to our deep-rooted cultural practices and beliefs. The woman’s case revealed the knowledge gaps surrounding adoption in Kenya.
Children Act 2022
Parents, especially those struggling financially or health-wise, do not know that they can willingly offer their child or children for adoption through a legal process. The Children Act, 2022, provides that biological parents can willingly offer their children for adoption. The law requires the consent of a parent or guardian for adoption to proceed.
Community sensitisation and awareness campaigns can play a crucial role in encouraging adoption. By educating communities about the legal process and the long-term benefits of adoption, we can reduce stigma and create safer alternatives for vulnerable children. Equally important is the need to strengthen social support systems, ensuring mothers who face extreme hardship are guided to safe and compassionate options.
Giving a child up for adoption should not be seen as an abandonment of maternal responsibility but as an empowered choice, one that prioritises the child’s interests. By embracing these initiatives, we can not only save lives, offer hope, but also provide countless children with the loving homes they deserve.
The writer is the national director, New Life Home Trust.
