A cross section of women in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday expressed different views on surrogacy for fee.
While some of the women frowned at being a surrogate mother for a fee, others see it as a sacrifice to assist couples with fertility challenges to have children.
Some of the women who frowned at the idea of surrogacy for a fee told our Correspondent that becoming surrogate mothers for a fee was shaped by a complex mix of cultural, religious, economic, and ethical factors.
Mrs Kemi Olagunji, a midwife and mother of two, said that she could not be a surrogate mother for any price because it was ”morally questionable and unnatural”.
According to her, there is a strong tie to motherhood; this linked a woman’s identity and social status and as such, the idea of handing over a child for money after birth, is not acceptable.
She noted that unless it was practiced within a family, where a sacrifice had to be made for another and money was not involved, the woman may suffer societal judgement.
”In this part of the world, surrogacy may be associated with loss of dignity or shame, promiscuity, or child-selling, especially in rural areas where traditional values are strong.
”So, unless you are doing it for a family member, where money is not involved but pure sacrifice for someone who cannot conceive, there’s always that stigma,’’ she said.
Olagunji also said that in economically deprived rural communities, women may consider surrogacy out of desperation and not choice, with a promise of payment, which could range from N500, 000 to N2 million or more.
She said that though the money could be life-changing for the surrogate, it sometimes led to exploitation, especially where intermediaries or illegal “baby factories” were involved and so, should not be encouraged.
Similarly, Miss Millicent Terna, a resident, said that she could not bear giving up a child after carrying it for nine months and going through the pain of childbirth for any amount.
She said though it was normal in especially foreign countries, it was perceived otherwise in most Nigerian rural communities because of religious beliefs.
According to her, some religious leaders frown at surrogacy, because it involved payment and sometimes, couples can become too desperate to have a child that they become impatient and commercialise the process.
”Some even perceive it as sinful or akin to adultery, especially in cases where a woman has to sleep with someone’s husband to conceive and be paid for it.
”Though nowadays, it mostly involves donor sperm or eggs, I know myself, I cannot do it.”
Also, Mrs Joy Thomas, a widow, simply said: “It is not something a married woman should do, who will respect you after that.
”But I hear young girls do it in the city and get paid, but you can’t talk about it. If it will feed my children, I will do it quietly, but nobody will know about it.”
However, Mrs Chizoba Emmanuel, a resident and a teacher, said the practice was harmless as long as the persons involved came to an understanding and would keep to their agreements.
According to her, many rural women lacked the understanding of what surrogacy entailed medically, legally or emotionally.
She said although it may be perceived negatively due to cultural and religious beliefs, advocacy and proper awareness on the practice should be encouraged.
”While economic hardship can push some women to consider it, the decision is usually fraught with fear, secrecy, and potential social consequences.
”If there’s improvement on its education, regulation, and awareness, it can help shift perceptions over time, but significant cultural and moral hurdles remain,” she said.
Emmanuel added that without a comprehensive legal framework for surrogacy, many women who practiced it would remain vulnerable to exploitation or abandonment.
