ADOPTION IN NEPAL
1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION
Introduction
As in other countries, adoption system in Nepal too prevailed during the ancient times. Childless couples often
adopted children either from their own families, or from close relatives who usually either happened to be
economically weak, or had many children. During those days, adoption was considered as a pious and generous
gesture. Often, adopting families were showered with praises and were respected in the society. While some
families really deserved such praises and respects, some did not, as they treated the adopted children below
human dignity. Despite of the promises and assurances, some adopting families did not treat in in a good way such
children, which they would have otherwise treated to their own children. If questioned, they would rather and
Government of Nepal simply say that they were doing favors to the children and their families. In most cases it has been seen that the
Ministry of Women, Children
adopted children are made to do all sorts of household chores.
& Social Welfare
Adoption Trend
In many countries, especially in South-Asian countries, adoptions are done for different reasons, rather than due
to the natural feeling and want of a child or children. Then there are own reasons for adopting a boy and a girl.
Generally, in these countries, adoptions of boys were more common and preferred than the girls because of
some age-old traditions, customs and beliefs. In case of absence of own son, wealthy and rich people often
adopted male children as their rightful heir to protect their properties and carry on their family business.
Gradually, adoption of children outside from own family members and relatives also became acceptable. Since last
few decades, the practice of adoptions of Nepalese children by people from different parts of the world has also
Government of Nepal
Central Child Welfare Board started. People in the country have different opinions about the adoption of Nepalese Children by foreigners. Some
say it is good for the children as they think that such children will have a better future and better life. On the other hand
there are also people who think adoption of Nepalese children by foreigners should be discouraged and stopped as
they think that often such children are either ill treated or abused in different ways. In fact, there have been few cases
where adopted children have been ill treated and abused, but then such incidents take place even inside own country
and by the adopting Nepalese parents and families. It is a natural phenomenon that where there is good, there is
bad too. Hence, a few such incidents and discouraging acts by some section of people should not be taken as
obstacles for the works of good cause. Adoptions are the result of human instinct, and therefore, perhaps will
continue as long as human beings exist in this universe. It existed in ancient times, exists in present day and will
continue to exist in the future too.
Child NGO Federation-Nepal
International Adoption
Often, foreigners adopt Nepalese children either with the direct approval of the natural parents or from children’s
homes after fulfilling certain legal procedures and formalities, as prescribed. But in the both situations, approval of
concerned government authority is a must. Presently, there are about 958 adopted Nepalese children believed
to be staying with their adoptive parents in different countries. Of these, 425 are boys and 533 are girls. In Italy
alone, there are 226 adopted Nepalese children.
Hence, it would not be wrong to say that adoption has gone international and has equally become more complicated
and an issue of great concern to all involved in this sector. In case of inter-country adoption, it is no more a matter
of concern between just two individuals, two families or two parties, but has rather become a concern of the
Nepal Children’s Organization governments of the countries involved in the process. International adoption is a very sensitive and complicated
issue as it not only ties relationship between individuals/families of two countries, but also establishes relationships
between the countries involved.
Adoption, though is becoming more popular and is being encouraged, it also carries a little bit of suspicion and doubt about the lives of
the adopted Nepalese children living abroad with their adoptive parents. Sometimes, negative rumors are heard about the treatment
they get once they land in the country whose citizens have adopted them. Although there are certain rules and regulations regarding
adoption by foreigners, but once they are taken out of the country, it is not easy to have further information is available about their
whereabouts and conditions.
Adoption is more common in developing and poor countries. People from developed countries adopt children, who often are either orphans
or abandoned at birth by their unmarried mothers. It is very common in poor countries that poor families often give away their infants for
a small amount of money. This is especially true when the child is a girl. In such a situation, it becomes the responsibility of the government,
national and international organizations, child homes, and all other concerned to watch and check all types of mal practices and illegal
trafficking of children.
Until few decades back; Nepal had very few organizations working in the field of children. These organizations rather worked as child
welfare centers and orphanages, and were mainly concerned about giving protection and basic education to its little inmates, as they
had no one to take care of them, The Paropkar Sansthan and Nepal Children’s organization, that still exist are two such organizations.
But with the restoration of democracy in 1990, and with the problem of rapid growth in population, the problem of orphans and
abandoned children also increased, as a result, it was not possible for these organizations alone to absorb all such children. There was
a need for more of such organizations. Realizing this, some people with head and heart established child centers or children’s homes to
give protection and new life to many orphans and abandoned children. Although, in the beginning, the objective of these organizations
were purely based on child welfare and charity, but soon, with the permission of the government, they started to operate as adoption
agencies and became major contact points for inter-country adoptions. Despite of good intentions of many of such adoption agencies,
some section of people started having negative
attitude and thoughts about inter-country Description of Adoption of Nepalese children in
adoptionbecause of some misdeeds of such agencies. different countries during last 5 years
However, it cannot be denied that these agencies, to
some extent have been successful in giving new life SN Country No. of Children Adopted
and future to many children, whose life and future 1. Italy 223
otherwise would have been in uncertainty and 2 Spain 213
darkness. Even though, we cannot totally deny some
incidents of ill-treatment and violation of child rights
3 United States of America 177
faced by some adopted Nepalese children abroad, 4 France 135
we have also to accept that many of adopted 5 Germany 112
Nepalese children are leading a comfortable life and 6 Norway 22
are getting the best of everything, which many of us 7 Switzerland 23
just dream about. Thus, a few negative incidents should 8 The Netherlands 14
not discourage us from working towards a good cause
benefitting thousands of abandoned and
9 Denmark 10
underprivileged children whose future and fate are in 10 Belgium 9
darkness. 11 Australia 1
12 Canada 6
Adoption Situation in Nepal 13 Austria 3
Adoption of Nepalese children by people from different
14 Sweden 1
countries is becoming more popular and is in rise.
Approximately, 250 adoptions of Nepalese children 15 Finland 1
of both sexes of ages between 3-4 months to 3-4 16 United Kingdom 5
years old take place through various government Total 955
authorities and adoption agencies, every year. Source: Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, 2005/06.