Veteran Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw has raised concerns about the ethical implications of surrogacy, particularly the potential exploitation of financially disadvantaged women.
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Speaking during an interview on News Central, Henshaw stressed the urgent need for clear laws and regulations to safeguard the rights and welfare of surrogates.
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She emphasized that while surrogacy can be a helpful option for families, it must be handled with great care due to the emotional and physical risks it poses to the women involved.
Henshaw urged Nigerian lawmakers to introduce more comprehensive legal frameworks around surrogacy to ensure that the health, safety, and dignity of all parties especially the surrogates—are protected.
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She said,
“Surrogacy is a means to exploit people who are not financially capable, you just pay them as they have a child for me. But then what will, what will make you want to look after them? Are you bound under any laws or legal framework to make sure that they are taken care of before and after they deliver the baby for you?
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“What are the documents that are signed? There’s just so much around it. Surrogacy is a process of giving hope to those who cannot have or have medical complications and want to bring forth a child.
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“It shouldn’t be something to be done lightly, there are lots of emotions attached to carrying a child, apart from the changes in the body. There are mental changes. Women, there’s so much, they can die, you know? So it shouldn’t be something to be just thought of lightly.
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“I hope Nigeria rises to me. I hope we have laws that will work and not be suggestions, like you always say”.
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