Adoption in Malta: The Long Wait and the Fight for Change

Imagine a child, growing up in foster care, year after year, waiting for a family to call their own. This is the reality for many children in Malta, as the adoption process grinds along at a painfully slow pace. At a recent conference, the question on everyone’s mind was: “Why leave a child hanging for years?”

Malta’s Adoption scene

Malta, with its Mediterranean charm and vibrant communities, has a foster care system that’s home to around 150 children. Yet, the number of adoptions is dismally low. According to the Family Court’s latest figures, only 12 adoptions were finalized in 2020. This stark contrast between the number of children waiting and the number of adoptions highlights a pressing issue that needs urgent attention.

Take, for instance, the case of Maria, a 10-year-old girl who has been in foster care since she was three. Despite her warmth and intelligence, she’s still waiting for a family to call her own. Stories like Maria’s were the driving force behind the recent conference, “Adoption in Malta: Challenges and Solutions”, held at the St. James Cavalier in Valletta.

Challenges and Delays

The conference, organized by local NGO Adopt a Child Malta, brought together social workers, psychologists, lawyers, and adoptive parents to discuss the hurdles in Malta’s adoption process. Delays, lack of awareness, and stigma were identified as the main barriers.

One of the most significant challenges is the lengthy legal process. It can take up to five years for an adoption to be finalized, a timeline that’s largely due to the backlog in the Family Court. This delay is not only emotionally taxing for the children and potential parents but also hinders the child’s integration into their new family.

Another challenge is the lack of awareness about adoption. Many Maltese people are unaware that there are children waiting for adoption, or they have misconceptions about the process. This lack of awareness is compounded by the stigma surrounding adoption. Some people still view adoption as a last resort, or they have concerns about the child’s background or potential health issues.

Finding Solutions

The conference wasn’t just about identifying problems; it was also about finding solutions. Speakers discussed best practices from other countries, such as the use of life books to help children understand their past, and the importance of post-adoption support.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the conference was the commitment from local authorities to improve the adoption process. The Minister for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity, Dr. Franġisk Abela, pledged to work on reducing the backlog in the Family Court and to increase awareness about adoption.

But change won’t happen overnight. It’s up to all of us – individuals, organizations, and the government – to push for these changes and ensure that every child in Malta has the chance to grow up in a loving, stable family.

As one adoptive parent at the conference put it, “Every child deserves a family. It’s our responsibility to make that happen.”