Adoption in Zambia now reversible

ADOPTION in Zambia has now been made reversible following some recorded cases where those who adopt children have requested to take them back on account of various reasons.

Previously, adoption in Zambia was not reversible and this posed as a challenge on some children who had been adopted thereby making them prone to possible abuse. This came to light yesterday in Livingstone at a media workshop organised by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The ministry’s acting Senior Social Welfare Officer, Ms Bridget Munungwe said the adoption process had been made reversible to protect children who were prone to possible abuse.

Ms Munungwe however explained that a thorough process was done before the process was reversed.

“Adoption in Zambia is now reversible. We have had issues of parents or guardians mistreating children as they grow up but this was a challenge to manage as the adoption was then not reversible.

“You will find that at a time of adoption, the parents wanted a baby but as the child grows up, they start to witness some habits which they do not like and that will prompt them to want to take back that child,” she said.

Speaking earlier, the ministry’s Principal Officer, Ms Weka Banda, said the objective of the training was to build capacity among the media on social protection.

Ms Banda also said the workshop was meant to improve through reportage, policy formulation on social protection and delivery of its programmes in Zambia.

“Other objectives include to enhance agenda setting role and watchdog role in reporting on social protection,” she said.