Harmonizing Hope: The Urgency of a Uniform Adoption Law in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has established itself as a secular nation with the objective of promoting and safeguarding human rights and equality. Nevertheless, even after half a century after gaining independence, some significant matters concerning personal laws remain antiquated. Although personal laws and usages were codified under the British era, a significant portion of them have not been amended by legislation. Neither under the Pakistani administration nor after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, did anybody undertake the responsibility of amending the outdated personal laws via legislation. The topic of adoption remains outmoded and discriminatory, posing possible dangers for children who need a stable home. In Bangladesh, the process of adoption is regulated by a collection of laws that result in inconsistencies, uncertainty, and procedural flaws when attempting to pursue adoption. The current diversity in the legal framework also results in prejudice when it comes to adoption by individuals from various cultures. An adoption legislation that applies uniformly is necessary to alleviate the hardships faced by many abandoned, impoverished, and parentless children in our nation. This essay examines the need of implementing a consistent adoption legislation in Bangladesh. This study examines the current laws and practices around adoption in order to identify any deficiencies in the legal framework. This essay seeks to demonstrate the need of a thorough legal framework that can provide clear guidelines, guarantee openness in procedures, and prioritize the well-being of children, all of which are crucial for fostering a unified society. This article proposes a comprehensive adoption legislation that encompasses both national and international adoption rules. It argues that such a law may contribute to social development and serve as a means to improve the welfare of disadvantaged children.