PUNE: Maharashtra clinched the pole position in India with 849 inter-country and domestic adoptions in the last financial year - accounting for nearly 20% of the total count and a 38% surge from the state's previous fiscal's tally of 522.
 

Across India, 4,515 children found families - the highest number in over a decade - while over 36,000 prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) are on the waiting list at present, hoping to adopt one of just 2,749 children legally available, according to data from Central Adoption Resource Authority (Cara). Of these, 1,808 are categorised as special-needs children.

Of the 4,515 adoptions, 4,155 children found families within the country while 360 were international/inter-country adoptions. Maharashtra, where the domestic adoption count was 790, was followed by Tamil Nadu (438) and West Bengal (297). In international adoptions, Maharashtra led with a tally of 59, followed by Punjab (41) and Bengal (31).

The average waiting time for PAPs is three-and-a-half years. Most PAPs seek girls and those aged 0-2 years, leaving older children and those with special needs under-placed. As many as 2,554 children adopted in FY 2024-25 were girls, accounting for 56% of all adoptions in India.
 

"One reason is, more girls are given up than boys, making them available for adoption," said Vinita Bhargava, formerly with Cara as its founder member.

A senior women and child development (WCD) dept official said, "Some parents believe girls are more caring and affectionate, and are more likely to look after their parents in old age. Some feel girls adapt more easily to family life. Social awareness and single women often preferring to adopt girls are other reasons."

Many PAPs believe it is easier to build emotional connections with infants and younger children. The official said, "For some, adopting younger children provides greater scope to shape their values, personality and upbringing. Others want to experience the entire parenting journey - from infancy to adulthood."
 

Mihai-Constantin Petcu, 40 (L) and Marian Barbu, 33 (R) both claim they were sexually trafficked in Romania. | United States District Court Central District of California

Three men have filed federal lawsuits claiming they were sexually abused and trafficked by a former Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor, Paul Havsgaard, while living in the now-defunct church-run children’s homes in Romania. The filings also accuse the church's founder, Greg Laurie, and missions pastor Richard Schutte of negligence in failing to prevent the abuse and covering it up for 20 years. 

The lawsuits were filed Tuesday and Thursday in the United States District Court for the Central District of California by Marian Barbu, 33, Mihai-Constantin Petcu, 40, and Cristian Aeroaiei, 36.

A Harvest Christian Fellowship spokesperson told The Christian Post in response to the lawsuits that the allegations are "serious and disturbing," but denied that the church knowingly covered up the alleged sexual abuse. The spokesperson said that since being contacted by the representatives of the alleged victims, Harvest Riverside has reported the case to law enforcement and plans to cooperate with authorities in the investigation. Harvest also sees the lawsuits as a "form of financial extortion" and expects to "vigorously defend against these claims" in the courts of law.  

The lawsuits, filed by attorney Jan Cervenka of McAllister Olivarius, allege in stark detail how Havsgaard recruited the plaintiffs as children off the streets of Bucharest with McDonald’s meals and the promise of shelter in a Harvest Home where they would be fed, clothed and educated. Other survivors interviewed as part of the lawsuits claim Havsgaard even dangled the idea of them escaping Romania through adoption by American families.

Instead of receiving hope, these men allege Havsgaard left them with a lifetime of trauma. Other survivors report developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, drug addiction and being functionally illiterate.  

By 'Alakihihifo Vailala, PMN

The law change will immediately and temporarily suspend the recognition of international adoptions under section 17 of the Adoption Act 1955 (the Act) by New Zealand citizens and residents for citizenship and immigration purposes. Photo: 123RF

The New Zealand government is pausing the recognition of some international adoptions, primarily affecting Samoa, due to concerns over child abuse in cases involving adoptions from overseas.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says efforts are underway with Samoan authorities to address the issues surrounding international adoptions. But she says that until adequate safeguards are established, adoptions will remain on hold.

Lumos Moldova, in partnership with UNICEF and the Government of Norway, proudly announces the inauguration of the first Early Intervention Centre integrated within a public medical institution in Chișinău – the Territorial Medical Association Centru (AMT Centru).

This milestone ensures free, specialised early intervention services for children aged 0–5 with developmental disorders or disabilities in Chișinău. The centre, established through the UNICEF project ‘Creating and Developing Early Intervention Services for Children with Developmental Disorders and Disabilities,’ represents a $100,000 investment from the Government of Norway. It offers critical early assessments and personalised support during a child’s formative years, significantly enhancing recovery and development outcomes. Parents also benefit from counselling and a supportive, family-friendly environment to address early signs of developmental challenges.

• Employee, intern for a public service. Father of two children. What else? Lawyer, field hockey player (I try), likes to walk (but not more than 30 km in a day) etc etc
• BRUSSELS

Course

School career

Gemeenteschool Vossem

•  -  Tervuren1977 - 1981

21.02.2008

STRASBOURG: Pour une approche européenne de l'adoption internationale, "en pensant d'abord aux intérêts des enfants"

DECRYPTAGE RELATIO par Sandrine KAUFFER

Le Parlement européen et le Conseil de l’Europe : pour une procédure d’adoption internationale, lorsqu’il n’existe pas de solution nationale.

You have the right to know the whole truth about your origins and the circumstances of your departure from Romania.

Leagănul De Copii Nr. 1, București

UNHCR's important relationship with CARE International was highlighted in Geneva on Tuesday when a top-level delegation presented High Commissioner António Guterres with a special declaration marking the non-governmental organisation's 60th anniversary.

GENEVA, October 17 (UNHCR) - UNHCR's important relationship with CARE International was highlighted in Geneva on Tuesday when a top-level delegation presented High Commissioner António Guterres with a special declaration marking the non-governmental organisation's 60th anniversary.

CARE is this year emphasising the key role of women in breaking the cycle of poverty and has adopted the anniversary declaration, "Women Care." CARE International Vice-Chairperson Marina de Brantes and Secretary General Denis Caillaux presented the declaration to Guterres during a meeting in the refugee agency's headquarters building.

The declaration, signed by more than 60 prominent women from around the globe, calls on political, religious and cultural leaders to fulfil their commitments towards the Millennium Development Goals and to place special focus on improving the condition of women worldwide.

"We wanted to present the declaration to the United Nations at large. But within the United Nations we wanted to select an entity, a specific part of the UN that would exemplify best the partnership that we have in mind and that we have had for a number of years, so in that sense UNHCR was a natural partner for us," Caillaux said after the meeting.

Greenlandic Woman Wins Her Baby Back in Denmark

A young Greenlandic woman living in Denmark will regain custody of the infant girl taken from her shortly after birth. The case has become the latest flashpoint between Denmark and Greenland.

Ivana Bronlund at her home with a sonogram of her child in Hedehusene, Denmark, in September.Credit...Hilary Swift for The New York Times

Rapid Assessment of Care Reform in India with focus on Jharkhand