Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Shidhatha Shareef, on Wednesday, revealed that a total of 34 children under state care were transferred back to their family environments.
As per statistics released by the ministry, 21 children were returned to their families and an additional 13 were placed under alternative legal guardianship.
The ministry further revealed that the total number of minors sent back to family environments and placed under alternative legal guardianship would reach 26 and 16, respectively, by the conclusion of 2020.
Speaking to local media outlet Mihaaru, Minister Shidhatha iterated that the government prioritised providing a safe family environment for children as state orphanages were not the most ideal setting for their development.
She assured that legal matters as well as the children's safety are taken into account and assessed before they are placed under the guardianship of non-relatives.
Individuals that seek to adopt a child are thoroughly interviewed by the foster panel. Legal guardianship is granted to foster parents only following a certain period after the child is transferred to their care.
The maximum age of adoptive parents is now set at 60 compared to the previous limit of 40 years.
Guaranteeing that the gender ministry would ensure safe environments, Minister Shidhatha added that several efforts were underway to reduce the number of children under state care.
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