Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran told Parliament today that more than 400 children in Fiji are waiting to be adopted, with a significant backlog in processing cases across agencies.
Ms Kiran said that as of October 2025, 184 adoption cases remain pending with the Department of Children, while the Legal Aid Commission reported 212 pending cases in 2024 and 61 more cases this year, bringing its total to 273 pending files.
“All in all, more than 400 children who could be placed in stable homes are being denied this opportunity,” Ms Kiran said.
She told Parliament that the proposed Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2025, that was tabled in Parliament by her, aims to resolve long-standing procedural and administrative issues that have slowed the adoption process.
“As we discuss this amendment, the urgency of this bill lies in the need to provide clarity, consistency and efficiency in adoption proceedings, ensuring that the welfare of the child remains paramount,” she said.
Ms Kiran said the bill seeks to introduce two key amendments — the first to Section 18, which would clarify procedural requirements and define the roles of all agencies involved in adoption cases, including giving courts authority to appoint accruing guardians, a role currently held only by the Director of Social Welfare.
The second proposed change, to Section 58, would strengthen enforcement provisions and improve administrative transparency, including a new Section 58A, granting the Chief Justice authority to issue rules governing pre-trial proceedings for adoption cases.
“These amendments are designed to address the current operational challenges and enable the full and effective implementation of the Adoption Act,” Ms Kiran said.
She said the goal of the reforms is to ensure that no child is left waiting unnecessarily for a safe and permanent home.
The Bill is scheduled to be debated tomorrow.
