Pope Francis is leading a global push to abolish surrogacy, partnering with international advocates to safeguard the dignity of mothers and children amidst concerns over exploitative practices in the multi-billion-dollar industry.
Emphasizing the inherent dignity of both mothers and children, Pope Francis condemned surrogacy as a practice that commodifies human life, reducing it to a transactional service. He urged for the adoption of the 2023 Casablanca Declaration, which advocates for the establishment of a treaty to eliminate surrogacy.
During an international conference with advocates, Pope Francis decried surrogacy as a practice that exploits vulnerable women in situations of material need, emphasizing that a child should always be regarded as a gift rather than an object of contractual agreements.
The global surrogacy market, estimated to be worth around €12.84 billion as of 2022, sees approximately 20,000 babies born through surrogacy annually. Critics argue that the practice violates the rights of children and objectifies women, stripping them of their autonomy and dignity.
Despite increasing reforms in developed countries to regulate surrogacy, Nigeria remains a low-cost destination for international surrogacy with little to no regulation. While commercial surrogacy operates in a legal grey area in Nigeria, concerns persist regarding ethical practices and the protection of surrogate mothers.
Reports suggest that surrogacy arrangements in Nigeria often lack transparency and altruism, raising concerns about poverty-induced exploitation. British parents, seeking parental orders for babies born to surrogates, have notably engaged surrogates in Nigeria, among other countries.
Sonnie Ekowowusi, chairman of the Human and Constitutional Rights Committee in Nigeria, highlighted the pressure individuals face to engage in surrogacy, often driven by economic hardship. Ekowowusi advised against such practices, emphasizing the risks involved.
While commercial surrogacy contracts are commonplace in the United States, where protections for mothers are ensured, they are banned in parts of Europe due to ethical concerns. Kajsa Ekis Ekman, author and surrogacy critic, highlighted the coercive nature of surrogacy contracts, where women relinquish control over their bodies.
As surrogacy becomes increasingly prevalent, studies indicate a decline in adoption rates, raising questions about the long-term implications of the surrogacy industry on family dynamics and human rights.
