The United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women and girls has called for a total prohibition of surrogacy in all its forms.

Reem Alsalem’s new report also raises significant concerns about the practice of egg donation.

The report stresses that surrogacy reinforces patriarchal norms, reduces women to their reproductive functions, and exposes children to serious violations of their human rights.

Among its key recommendations are: the eradication of all forms of surrogacy at the international level; Adoption of a binding international treaty banning surrogacy; Implementation of a legal framework inspired by the Nordic model of prostitution law: penalizing buyers, agencies and clinics, while decriminalizing women; Prohibition of advertising and surrogacy agencies; and, Strengthening international cooperation to combat the trafficking of women and children linked to surrogacy.

An international anti-surrogacy coalition of more than 150 experts and associations from across political and cultural backgrounds, welcomed the report.

“This is an unprecedented recognition at the highest international level: surrogacy is not an act of love but a form of violence and exploitation. This historic report paves the way towards its global prohibition,” declares Olivia Maurel, spokesperson for the Casablanca Declaration.