UN Special Rapporteur Calls for Abolition of Surrogacy Industry

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, has called for the abolition of the surrogacy industry, citing its grave and harmful consequences for surrogate mothers and children. In a briefing to journalists, Alsalem highlighted the various forms of violence experienced by surrogate mothers, including economic, psychological, physical, and reproductive violence, as well as life-threatening situations and forced labor. She emphasized that the concept of consent is often used to justify exploitation and abuse, and that many women are not aware of the harm they will experience before entering into surrogacy arrangements.

Key Takeaways:

• Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, calls for the abolition of the surrogacy industry due to its severe consequences for surrogate mothers and children.
• Surrogate mothers experience various forms of violence, including economic, psychological, physical, and reproductive violence, as well as life-threatening situations and forced labor.
• The concept of consent is often used to justify exploitation and abuse in the surrogacy industry, and many women are not aware of the harm they will experience before entering into surrogacy arrangements.
• Regulation and legalization of the surrogacy industry have not proven to reduce demand or safeguard surrogate mothers and children against abuse and exploitation.
• The commodification of reproductive functions is deeply dehumanizing, and the terminology used in the industry often perpetuates sexism and dehumanization.
• Commissioning parents often lack background checks, and the industry relies on the buying power of commissioning parents rather than ensuring the well-being of surrogate mothers and children.
• The UN Special Rapporteur recommends criminalizing the purchase of children through surrogacy, prohibiting advertisements that encourage women and girls to become surrogate mothers or sell their eggs, and treating surrogate mothers as victims rather than perpetrators.

Statistics:

• None mentioned in the source.

Sources:

• United Nations (video statements)