Families fostering infants in state care will be granted maternity leave from next month, Minister of Social and Family Development Dr Aishath Shiham has announced.
The initiative forms part of the government’s “Family for Every Child” programme, which is among the key social sector priorities aimed at improving care for children in state custody.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office, Minister Aishath Shiham said the process of placing children in state care with families remains lengthy, with many interested families facing challenges.
To address this, she said a special allowance of USD 324.25 per child per month has been introduced under a “temporary fostering” arrangement, particularly to support low-income families who foster children.
The minister noted that foster care often involves very young children, including infants taken into care directly from hospitals. She said families caring for such children have faced difficulties balancing work commitments with the time required to care for infants. She announced that foster parents will be granted special leave within the civil service starting next month.
The minister also highlighted that the number of children being placed in family care is increasing, which she described as a positive development. Since 17 November 2023, a total of 111 children have been placed with families. She said this reflects growing progress in efforts to provide children in state care with a safe and supportive family environment.