Reference is made to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s article entitled “Liberalism means allowing faith groups their foibles” (TMIS, 19 February).

In her column, Ms Caruana Galizia expressed the view that single men are generally not allowed to adopt children under Maltese law, and this irrespective of their sexuality. She further stated that there might be some very rare exceptions made for single men adopting boys – generally if there is already a biological relationship – and that single men are definitely and absolutely not allowed to adopt girls.

The Foundation for Social Welfare Services would like to clarify that the restriction imposed by law on male applicants to adopt female children was removed following amendments introduced to the laws regulating adoptions in virtue of Act IV of 2008, and consequently, under Maltese law, both single men and women cam adopt a child of either sex.

Sina Bugeja

Chief Executive Officer

Foundation for Social Welfare Services