Surrogacy - Social And Legal Issues

ITM University, School of Law in association with Sama , a Resource Group for Women and Health, New Delhi organized the screening of the documentary film titled ‘Can We See The Baby Bump Please?’ on 3 February 2015. The theme was related to the problems of women from the economically weaker sections of society who act as surrogate mothers because of its monetary benefits. Agents and doctors of private clinics mint money by exploiting these surrogate women who often face risk to their health as well as their life. The film also highlighted the ethical and legal issues of surrogacy surrounding commercial surrogacy in India. The film explored questions and concerns through the experiences of surrogate women. The film’s narrative traced the ethical challenges, medical malpractices, and potential exploitation that can occur when surrogacy is practiced in a legal vacuum. The film focused on the interplay of surrogate women’s choices, contexts and compulsions and the urgent need for the protection of the legal rights of the surrogate mother and child.

The students and faculty of the University attended the screening of the documentary film and were enlightened about the social and legal issues related to surrogacy in India from the national and international perspective as well as statelessness and health standards in surrogacy. It was followed by an interactive session, with Ms Simran Sawhney from Sama, in which the key features of the proposed legislation related to surrogacy were discussed.