Ethiopia Adoption Ban May Curb Trafficking, But Poorest Families Need Support

This article appeared on Voice of America on January 15, 2018.

Excerpt:

NAIROBI — A ban on the adoption of Ethiopian children by foreigners could curb child abuse and trafficking, but more support is needed for vulnerable families within the impoverished country, experts said on Monday.

Ethiopia is one of the biggest source countries for international adoptions by U.S. nationals, with about 20 percent of all adopted children coming from the east African nation, according to the U.S. State Department.

Adam Pertman contribution

"The most important thing is for the children involved to have permanency, in families," said Adam Pertman, president of the U.S.-based National Center on Adoption and Permanency and author of "Adoption Nation."

"The first choice is within their own family of origin, their own community and their own country," he added.

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