New legislation in India would give equal rights to adoptive mothers. Until now, when a married couple adopted a child, only the father was listed as the child’s guardian.

The proposed amendment to the 120 year-old Guardians and Wards Act, 1890, includes the mother along with the father to be appointed as guardian, making the process gender neutral.

The parliamentary standing committee on law and justice, which is examining the bill to amend the existing laws, is unanimous in its acceptance of the Personal Laws (Amendment Bill, 2010, introduced in the Rajya Sabha in April. [Source: The Hindustan Times]

Prior to the amendment, a mother had no rights over an adopted child if, for some unfortunate reason, her husband passed away.

Labels: international, adoption rights, mothers

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton