Abstract
Background: Up until recently, adoption is the most common alternative to recommended to couples struggling to procreate. However, with the advancement in medical technology, it is now possible to procreate through assisted reproductive technology (ART). Debates continue to ensue on the contentious issues emanating from various ART procedures, for instance regarding surrogacy there are concerns that this fragments womanhood, motherhood and parenthood, and there is a dereliction of the sacredness and cultural sanctity of the family system, most especially in an African context. However, as infertility becomes more prevalent among couples trying to have children in Nigeria, it has become important that alternate mediums of reproduction be examined within the socio-cultural milieu of the country. This study set out to examine surrogacy as a panacea to infertility in Nigeria through a qualitative lens. Methods: 15 stakeholders (traditional birth attendants, medical gynaecologists and legal professionals within the social, medico-legal framework of reproductive health) in Nigeria were engaged in an in-depth interview to unravel the challenges surrogacy might or is encountering as an ART in Nigeria. Results: There are various social, traditional, cultural and religious beliefs that police the reproductive sphere of Nigeria, which has grave implications on fertility treatment. These socio-cultural and religious factors do not provide a fertile ground for surrogacy to thrive in Nigeria. Hence, it is important that the socio-cultural framing of reproducing in Nigeria become receptive to modern medical reproductive alternatives and innovations. Conclusions: For surrogacy to permeate the reproductive terrain of the country there is a need to jettison several socio-cultural and religious sentimental beliefs policing reproduction in Nigeria.
Highlights
Infertility in most parts of Africa is usually not well researched as a vital part of sexual reproductive health, yet its impact can be highly consequential1
The imperative questions that steered this study included a need to understand how surrogacy is conceptualized in Nigeria; and a concern to understand the socio-cultural imperatives influencing the practice in Nigeria
In most quarters in Nigeria, surrogacy is not popular at all and I will say the popularity and acceptance of the practice are hugely influenced by socio-cultural, legal and spiritual factors
Summary
Infertility in most parts of Africa is usually not well researched as a vital part of sexual reproductive health, yet its impact can be highly consequential. It is important to understand the gender narratives around infertility in most of sub-Saharan Africa; while men and women can both be potentially infertile, women are often blamed and punished for childlessness3,4 Within this very complex sociocultural milieu that prioritizes fertility and links procreation to the completeness of a man or woman, couples are put under pressure to bear children and failing to do so is regarded as an existential failure. As infertility becomes more prevalent among couples trying to have children in Nigeria, it has become important that alternate mediums of reproduction be examined within the socio-cultural milieu of the country. Results: There are various social, traditional, cultural and religious beliefs that police the reproductive sphere of Nigeria, which has grave implications on fertility treatment.
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