K. Ela Prodigals’
Home/Collab Director CHILDLINE 1098 Dimapur
Prodigals' Home has been implementing/implemented various projects/programmes for children in Dimapur district supported by various agencies (NACO/NSACS, UNICEF, FST, CHILDLINE India Foundation). In our long years of working on issues of children, particularly with children in difficult situations/vulnerable children, we have come across a lot of complex situations which needs an understanding from a local context of social cultural perspective of Naga society and to have clarity of understanding in the present context of modern society. One issue of concern is about 'Adoption' of children. Nagas have their own traditional customs and traditions governing the lives of its citizens in all aspects of their lives including adoption of children. Children in difficult situations (orphans, semi orphans, destitute children etc) were adopted, given their rightful place in the family, village and society as any other member of the family. But as of today when we look into cases of children in difficult situations/child abuse cases, we mane across a lot of such 'adoptions' which eventually becomes cases of child rights violation/illegal adoptions/exploitations etc. Such 'Adopted' child is neither adopted in the true traditional spirit of Naga Customary way, neither according to CARA guidelines of adoption; though many of such families claim to have adopted the child the Naga customary way. As such caught in between two systems/practices (which are not understood/neither followed in its true spirit), such so called 'Adopted' children are victimized for life in most cases. There are rampant illegal practices/child rights violations in the name of 'Adoption'. This has long term complications for child, family and the society as a whole. This has to be addressed at the earliest. There also exists confusion between 'Adoption' and 'Foster Parenting/Care' in the Naga society. This also needs clarity for the good of all.
To address this issue in the most practical, sustainable, culturally sensitive and locally contextual way, an option is to have proper understanding and documentation of Naga Customary Practice of Child Adoption (of all Naga tribes of Nagaland) and see how it promotes 'Best Interest of the Child' and society as a whole. This study report/documentation is to help in effective implementation of State Child Protection Society (under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, GOl) program particularly with regard to adoption of children in the state. With a clearer understanding of proper adoption practices/regulations, whether through Naga Customary Way or Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) Adoption Regulation 2017, rights violation of the child due to such 'illegal adoption practices' will be prevented/reduced and promote adoption under CARA Regulations/Naga Customary Practice which safeguards the 'Best Interest' of the child, fostering a happy family and just society. Basing on the 'Best Interest of the Child in the context of Nagaland, a State Policy on Child Adoption is the need of the hour.
Some Issues, Problems, Challenges to deliberate together:
1. Ignorance of adoption procedures (both Customary Practices and CARA Regulations) by general public as such child rights violation rampant
2. Illegal adoptions from unauthorized sources (hospitals, village leaders, from strangers, from poor families, unwed mothers, children's homes, etc)
3. Stigmatization and Discrimination of adopted children
4. Maintaining secrecy of child adoption, at times traumatic for such children
5. Random Excommunication/out casting of so called 'adopted children'
6. Child trafficking (mostly for child domestic labour purpose ) in the name of adoption
7. Unwed mothers forced to marry unfit persons for the sake of baby/forced to abandon babies
8. Unwed mothers, abortions, babies and mothers at risk
9. Challenge of Online registration for prospective parents in the state and host of other technical problems under CAM guidelines
10. Baby boys adoption challenges in Naga society, girls preferred over baby boys 11. Problematic/rebellious 'illegally adopted child' and the helpless traumatized family
“ADOPTION IS AN ACT OF LOVE, BUT THE PROCESS COMES FROM LAW”- SCPS SARA
• Do we go the Customary Way?
• Do we follow the CARA Regulations?
• What does the Bible say about Love and Care of our Children?
• What works Best for the Child, the Family, the Society, for the State?
• Can we have the BEST of the THREE put together for the ‘Best Interest’ of the Child, our families, our society and our state, a state Policy on Child Adoption?
