Commercial surrogacy is exploitative, cruel & treats women like brood mares. UK ‘altruistic’ model is no better. Large sums of money changing hands, babies often not seeing their mothers again, women left with regret & birth injuries. Stop surrogacy now. https://t.co/c0IpeM1Jun

For those of you who do not understand why we are campaigning for a global surrogacy ban:

“I see a lot of similarities between the system of prostitution and the system of surrogacy...[Surrogacy] is clearly responsible for inflicting large-scale violence, abuse and exploitation on women and children.” Thanks to @UNSRVAW for speaking out. https://t.co/WLNnr48nXe

‘Available evidence points to serious risks for children born through surrogacy - negative physical and mental health, identity struggles, increased risk of statelessness, trafficking, and abandonment, and the arbitrary and forceful termination of their lives in utero at the

The surrogacy stories you never hear in the glossy magazines… ⬇️

As the press release on the issuance of my report has not been put by OHCHR on the mandate website yet, I am posting the text here: UN expert calls for recognition of surrogacy as system of violence, exploitation and abuse, urges abolition GENEVA (10 October 2025) – A UN

The moving testimony from the surrogate mothers speaking today was met with a standing ovation. Many eyes were opened today to the truth of #surrogacy.

…the mistake & shame of my life. It has had a lasting, irreparable impact on my entire family and my children. Today, I campaign so that no woman is used like I was, so that no child is torn from their mother and maternal family.” Christian, Marie Anne and Julie call for a ban.

“I am asked to keep quiet about my situation…I have spoken out loud, spoken to journalists or testified on social networks, in a completely anonymous and unidentifiable manner. I wanted this story to be a story of friendship, solidarity, and justice. It became a tragedy…

“At best, we are not recycled, and at worst, we are reused for a new round of surrogacy…We are supposedly a figure of life, a giver of life & light, an extraordinary person who commands admiration and gratitude. This is the discourse of surrogacy agencies.”

Now we hear from Julie: “We are not accustomed to public appearances, nor to the media, because our discourse is not glamorous or politically correct. We are the waste of surrogacy. Whether it was ‘ethical’ or ‘commercial’ we are the ones who are thrown away after use.”

“It was made clear to me that the only way I had the best chance of having any contact was to agree to the parental order so in the end, I signed it to try and have contact with the child I gave birth to as I was promised. I have never seen the child to this day.”

“They attempted to obtain my consent against my will at the court, exploiting my mental health, which was irreparably damaged as a result of my experience. They tried to prove that I was incapable of giving consent.”

“They had the baby. They were happy. They didn’t need me anymore so they told me to go home.”

Next we hear from Marie Anne: “It was a gestational #surrogacy. They used IVF…It was a very procedural process, and it was quite challenging, both emotionally and physically, to go through. They tried to force me into a C-section.”

We hear first from Christian: “Physically, I experienced sub-chronic haemorrhaging due to the shots and had to receive weekly blood transfusions for two months before giving birth. I was induced at the end because of preeclampsia.”

A packed out room for Surrogacy: A New Chapter in Violence Against Women. We will hear from Surrogate Mothers with regret, as they speak collectively for the first time in the UK. With thanks to @FiLiA_charity for hosting us today. #FiLiA2025 @CIAMS_Coalition #lawreform

We hope everyone at #FiLiA2025 has a fantastic weekend! We're so sorry we can't join you this time, but do drop by @WombsNotForRent's stall where you can find out more about surrogacy at home and abroad, and what you can do to help fight this abhorrent trade.

Thank you @Telegraph @CamHenderson98 for covering @UNSRVAW’s call for an international surrogacy ban. Surrogacy is higher risk, exploitative, cruel to children & unethical. It needs to go. https://t.co/5yqJ1Jtd7Z

If you missed the livestream, you can rewatch the recording of the side event on #surrogacy and violence against women and children including girls here

We're excited for this! Join us and @CIAMS_Coalition for this Workshop at #FiLiA2025 this Sunday. 🕘0900-1030 🗓️ Sunday 12th October 🌏 Brighton, England We're on our way, will we see you there?