Inside Story

Why is India banning commercial surrogacy?

Indian government has proposed legislation to restrict the use of surrogates in bid to stop exploitation of poor women.

The Indian government says it wants to stop the exploitation of poor women.

There has been controversy over the government’s decision to propose legislation restricting commercial surrogacy.

It says it considers it a “rent-a-womb” industry that exploits impoverished young women.

But critics say the proposed bill will severely limit options for childless couples and for women who carry other people’s babies as a way out of poverty.

The bill seeks to bar foreign, single and same sex couples from surrogacy services in India and says that only close relatives can act as surrogates.

So, is this designed to stop exploitation of poor women or are there other factors at play?

Presenter: Hazem Sika

Guests:

Archana Dhawan Bajaj – Fertility and IVF expert at the Nurture Clinic.

Nandita Rao – Lawyer and civil rights activist.

Karuna Nundy – Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and international lawyer.