Silent Tragedy: 233 Children Abandoned in Mauritius in Just Four Years

Since 2021, authorities have recorded 233 cases of child abandonment in Mauritius. Behind these figures lies a harsh reality: children are often sacrificed due to lack of resources, support, or attention. A recent case exemplifies this tragedy—a premature baby born in March 2025 at Victoria Hospital remains hospitalized because no one has come to take care of him.

Medical staff say everything is ready for the baby to leave hospital since July 19, but he remained there.

His mother left shortly after giving birth and has only returned once, in April, for administrative procedures.

Since then, she has disappeared. Despite multiple efforts, authorities have been unable to locate her or contact other family members.

The baby is now under the care of social services and is managed by the Child Development Unit.

This case is not isolated. Between 2021 and April 2025, 233 children have been abandoned across the country.

The numbers are concerning and raise questions about why this trend is increasing quietly and why society appears to be becoming accustomed to it.

From 2021 to 2023, annual figures remained relatively stable: 55 children in 2021, 45 in 2022, and 49 in 2023.

However, 2024 saw a sharp rise, with 71 children abandoned—the highest so far. Among these, 38 were girls and 33 boys.

In the first four months of 2025 alone, 13 more cases have been reported, suggesting the total could be even higher this year.

Most of these children are infants or very young, abandoned at hospitals, left in public places, or handed over to relatives who eventually seek help from authorities when overwhelmed.

Behind these statistics are stories of broken lives—children deprived of love, stability, and basic care from their earliest weeks.

Many cases are rooted in poverty, domestic violence, unwanted pregnancies, or family rejection.

Child welfare officer Rattan Jhoree from the Ministry of Gender Equality emphasized that child abandonment is a serious crime.

The Children’s Act of 2020 imposes up to 30 years in prison and fines up to Rs 1 million for parents involved in such acts.

“Abandoning a child is not a mistake or negligence,” Jhoree stated. “It’s a severe crime. The law is very clear on this.” When a case is reported, authorities follow a strict protocol.

First, the child is taken to hospital for a comprehensive medical and psychological exam suited to their age. Then, social services, supported by police, investigate the circumstances of the abandonment.

While investigations are ongoing, the child is placed in a government-approved shelter for temporary care.

Each case is individually assessed. If a relative wants to recover the child, they must submit a formal request to the courts.

Only a judge can decide to reunite the child with their family, ensuring the child’s best interests are prioritized.

Jhoree also warned that not only parents but anyone encouraging or facilitating abandonment can face legal action.

Private arrangements, often made before birth, are illegal if not processed through proper legal channels. For example, a pregnant woman who agrees to give her baby to someone else without legal documentation is violating the law.

Overall, Jhoree sees child abandonment as a social, economic, and legal issue. Combating it requires more than just legal penalties; it demands better support for vulnerable families, improved aid services, and efforts to break the silence and taboos surrounding these cases.

Mauritius’s child protection system remains fragile

The child protection system in Mauritius is still underdeveloped. Many voices from civil society, NGOs, and government agencies are calling for a major reform.

They emphasize the need for better coordination among social services, healthcare providers, police, and community organizations. However, they also stress that every citizen has a role to play in protecting children.

In response to this urgent issue, the Ministry of Gender Equality has revived an important initiative: the foster family program.

During the first celebration of World Foster Day in Mauritius on May 31, 2025, Minister Arianne Navarre-Marie highlighted the importance of family-based care over institutional placements. “A family is a place of refuge and safety,” she said.

Currently, 88 families are officially recognized by the government as foster families, caring for 110 children.

Meanwhile, 51 other families are waiting for approval to join the program. The ministry aims to expand this network through awareness campaigns and better support for volunteer families.

The program is built on several key elements: strict selection of foster families, appropriate training, ongoing psychosocial support, and personalized follow-up for each child.

Additionally, a new Adoption Bill is expected to be introduced soon in Parliament. This law aims to simplify adoption procedures, regulate legal processes, and provide a long-term alternative to prolonged foster care.

Through these efforts, the ministry hopes to create a strong network of Mauritian foster families capable of responding humanely and responsibly to a pressing issue: children left without stable support and guidance.

Source: Defi Media