467 pending adoption cases since October 2025

As of October 2025, there are 467 pending adoption cases, due to legal inconsistencies that have slowed decision-making.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Pro­tection Sashi Kiran said with the now passed Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2025, it would help streamline the adoption processes.

Recently, parliament had passed new laws to strengthen Fiji's adoption system and ensure that every decision is made in the best interests of the child.

The Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2025, Ms Kiran, marked a key milestone in improving the implementation of the Adoption Act 2020, which governs all adoption process­es in the country.

"This is a significant achievement as it helps ensure the law works better for everyone involved-es­pecially children," Ms Kiran told Parliament.

"The amendments address ex­isting challenges, streamline the adoption process, and ensure that every adoption is handled fairly and efficiently."

The changes were developed through consultations between the Ministry, the Judiciary, the Office of the Solicitor-General and legal practitioners.

They are designed to bring clarity, consistency and efficiency to adoption proceedings, while align­ing Fiji with international child protection standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoption.

Ms Kiran said the new provisions would empower the courts, reduce backlogs and ensure no child is de­nied the chance to grow up in a sta­ble family environment.

"The Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2025 is not merely a legal adjust­ment. It is a compassionate and practical response to the realities faced by our officers and families," she said, adding that the govern­ment's goal was to build a Fiji where every child is raised in a safe, caring and supportive home.

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